Our Knitwear Picks For Travel and Commute

It’s likely that your holiday and your commute evoke entirely different emotions. The two versions of travel couldn’t be further apart, yet, when it comes to your outfits, you’ll be looking to tick the same boxes for both. 

Why Knitwear Makes Great Travel Wear 

First and foremost is comfort. Knitwear, when of a high quality, is soft and comfortable to wear whether you’re sitting down for multiple hours on a flight, driving, or on public transport. Much of the knitwear you will find on the high street is of a lower quality, making it coarse, itchy and uncomfortable. Colhay’s knitwear, however, has been manufactured from the very finest raw materials, using heritage techniques that result in garments that are so soft they can feel like a second skin. 

Falling again under the comfort bracket comes breathability. Fabrics made from natural fibres, such as cashmere (made from fibres from goats’ coats) and lambswool, offer much more natural airflow than manmade fabrics, helping to keep you either fresh and cool or warm and toasty. In warmer weather, they offer moisture wicking properties too. This simply means that they can naturally move perspiration away from the skin, allowing it to evaporate outwards. Again, this keeps you comfortable, rather than sticky and sweaty - ideal for busy commutes. 

Knitted sweaters or cardigans lend themselves perfectly to layering. Again, another plus point when traveling on any level. Whether on your commute or out for the day on vacation, you want outfits you can build upon, removing elements according to climate or comfort, and knitwear makes an excellent component in a layered outfit. 

Looking at your choice of garment from a practicality stand point, the lack of creasing in knitwear is a huge bonus. Whether on holiday, when temperatures can change drastically between the day and night, or on your commute when you could be sitting on warm public transport one minute and out in the cool air the next, you will often need to remove and pack away one of your layers. Knitted garments can be folded up and put into a bag quickly, easily, and, perhaps most importantly, with no creasing. 

The main difference when selecting pieces for travel and commuting would be the formality of the items. If you’re commuting, you’re likely going to choose sweaters with a slightly elevated feel that are accepted in your work environment or office. For holidays, you’ll be looking to the weather to make your choice. Visiting sunny climes? Lighter knitwear that you can carry easily and have prepared as an extra layer for cooler evenings is what you need. If you’re visiting somewhere cold, look for thicker, heavyweight pieces that you can wrap around you for a cosy and comfortable feel. Rollnecks add an extra aspect of warmth and comfort in these scenarios, making them a brilliant choice for ski trips or cooler city breaks. 

Colhay’s Essentials for Travel 

Cashmere Ribbed Submariner Rollneck in Navy, Black, or Ecru 

This rollneck is a particularly smart choice for holidays in colder climates. The chunky ribbed knit adds a little interest to the design and keeps you toasty too, by trapping warm air between the sweater and your skin. The rollneck itself will keep you warm by limiting the amount of skin exposed to the cold - very handy for days when you forget your scarf! Though it’s an undeniably cosy garment, we’ve ensured the design itself is slim, meaning it can be layered comfortably under all manner of outwear including ski jackets, longer woollen coats, puffer jackets or sport coats. 

Available navy, black or ecru, there is a shade to suit all skin tones. Each is a sophisticated colourway that is easy to pair with a multitude of other colours and fabrics. 

Cashmere Belmondo Rollneck in Dark Brown or Oatmeal

Our Cashmere Belmondo Rollneck is a great option if you’re visiting a colder area but are concerned about overheating. Perhaps your natural body temperature runs warm and you have a tendency to feel the heat more than others, or perhaps you simply want something a little more lightweight. If this sounds like you, we recommend trying this rollneck option. At 300g this is a midweight sweater that’s made from 100% cashmere, meaning you’ll reap all the benefits of wearing a natural fibre but won’t feel overly wrapped up. 

Superfine Lambswool Shawl Collar Cardigan

Our shawl collar cardigans are the ultimate cold weather wear. Luxuriously soft and cosy, simple to dress up or down, easy to take off or put on, they can do it all! If you’re visiting family in a colder part of the world, we recommend taking one of these soft cardigans to wrap up in. Often these cardigans can replace coats, especially if you’re looking for something less restrictive or stiff, something that’s easy to sit back and relax in. For cold walks in the countryside, you can flip the collar up, mimicking the warming effects of a rollneck. The front pockets provide not only a practical place to keep essentials but also a warm spot for cold hands. If you want to embrace the double knitwear look, try pairing it with our Belmondo Rollneck. 

It’s important to point out that the lambswool we use here at Colhay’s is a far cry from the lambswool you’ll find on the high street. With yarn, the longer and finer the fibres used, the softer and more durable the knitwear will be. At Colhay’s the yarn used in our garments is made from long, fine fibres meaning our knitwear is unbelievably soft to the touch and supremely comfortable - nothing like the itchy wool many of us know from childhood. 

Our Favourite Colhay’s Garments for Commuting

Cashmere Driver's Half Zip in Navy and Charcoal 

As a style, the half zip has exploded in popularity over recent years. You’ll spot them everywhere, and with good reason. The half zip style is easy to take on and off, which is very useful when you’re going in and out of the workplace. The neck line exposes a dress shirt (ideal for office workers) and, when worn zipped up, emulates a roll neck and frames the face, a universally flattering look. If you’re looking for a commuting piece, this half zip truly delivers. 

A half zip will easily become a wardrobe staple and with such staples, it's certainly worth investing in high quality pieces that can be worn repeatedly without losing shape or structure. Our take on the half zip is made from 100% cashmere, often referred to as the king of fibres, and is both soft and strong - in fact, it can last for decades when cared for properly. 

Cashmere Polo Shirt in Oatmeal

Another great choice for office workers, this polo shirt is akin to a dress shirt, only it’s warmer, cosier and far more comfortable. Made from cashmere, it’s breathable so if you travel to work on buses or trains, this is an excellent option. Plus, it can be easily paired with a blazer. 

Cashmere Shawl Collar Cardigan in Navy

A slightly thinner and slimmer version of the lambswool cardigan we featured above, this style works well under coats and is a little more formal. Great for commuting in the winter months when it’s chilly and there’s a cool breeze around you, but also ideal for offices that blast air con in the summer months too. Easily foldable, you can tuck this into a bag and carry it with you to put on when you arrive, or, if your work place is warmer, store it until it’s time to begin your homeward commute. 

If you have any questions about our knitwear  - whether it’s about the suitability of a garment to your lifestyle, or something more general - please don’t hesitate to contact us and one of our team will be in touch to help.