Fair Isle Sweaters

[emc894]

What do you think about these? I think they can look really good and am looking for a relatively fitted, not too multicolored one for this fall. Any ideas? I like this one but am not sold on the side buttons and would rather have a darker color.

http://www.mrporter.com/product/167439

 

[bourbonbasted]

For stuff like this I like to buy cheaper items. While I understand that Fair Isle has a rich traditional and has had influence on many timeless pieces I still think it is having a "moment" and in a few years won't be nearly as plentiful or acceptable in real-world wear. (FWIW I have this same feeling towards black watch and camouflage patterns.)

That said I bought a J Crew fair isle (very similar to the one you posted, minus the buttons) last winter. Keeping the trend alive I think I might kop this one in the near future. I know you said you are looking for something more muted but I think the brown, blue and red makes it more playful. Something I am going for when I pull on Fair Isle.

 

[NOBD]



Fair Isle is hip again. When I saw a Fair Isle cardigan in a store a month ago, I thought: not for NOBD. Then I tried it on with a simple brown unstructured herringbone jacket, and a simple pair of jeans and brown suede monks I was wearing at the time (my uniform), and I actually quite liked it. The "ensemble" didn't scream at all. Sometimes you just have to try things.
I think it was this one:

I ended up buying a different cardigan, but my eyes were opened and I saw the light...

 

[MikeDT]

I think fair isle jumpers can look OK, as long as they don't have those large snowflake or bloody reindeer patterns on them.

 

[Sonny58]

I agree. Drake's has some sleeveless pullovers that I think are fairly subdued:

Single Ply Sleeveless Cashmere Crew Neck Fairisle Pullover
Havana, medium grey, dark natural and tangerine

And the corresponding grey version:
Single Ply Sleeveless Cashmere Crew Neck Fairisle Pullover
Medium grey, havana, light grey and chalk

 

[Risk_Reward]



I think fair isle jumpers can look OK, as long as they don't have those large snowflake or bloody reindeer patterns on them.

I just purchased this one. What do you think?

 

[Ich_Dien]

I think you're a troll.

 

[Gus]

Fair Isle is multi colored and geometric. It is also classic. That may mean that it isn't always going to be fashionable but it can be stylish if worn properly. It could be a sweater that you could have for 15 - 20 years.

 

[GoldenTribe]

I've never liked fair isle, but when there's something actually interesting about it (which is 0.00000001% of the time) I don't mind it.

"Partial fair isle" sweater from Factotum:

Chunky knit fair isle down jacket from D&G:

Junya colorful fair isle stripe v-dot sweater:

Miharayasuhiro lightweight tonal "pixelated fair isle"

 

[OlSarge]

Fair Isle is multi colored and geometric. It is also classic. That may mean that it isn't always going to be fashionable but it can be stylish if worn properly. It could be a sweater that you could have for 15 - 20 years.

That's the best looking selection of any posted yet. As you said, geometric and classic. Good country wear for those who occasionally get tired of tweed.

 

[Reevolving]

If these catch on with the masses, FairIsle will look dated as hell in 5 years. Again.

Remeber the sweaters from the early 90s where there was a circular pattern that had your head/neckhole as the center?
It was almost like wearing a wreath around your neck. Anyone dig up a picture ?

 

[forex]

RL has a few that looked pretty good, saw them in the store today.

 

[JakeLA]

If anyone wants a real Fair Isle for cheap(ish), hang out at UK Ebay. Occasionally you'll find someone selling off their old hand-knit ones, some of which are quite beautiful.

 

[Saturdays]

 

[DocHolliday]

I dig Fair Isle. Was wearing it five years ago, will be wearing it five years from now. A lot of Fair Isle is terribly ugly, but that's true of anything. Just don't buy the stuff that makes you look like somebody's granny.

Sweater vests, I think, are the easiest to pull off, especially when worn with layers.