A Guide to Layering Knitwear

February 9, 2024

With the recent chilly weather and the storms we’ve had here in the UK, plus the upcoming bouts of severe weather we’re expecting, we wanted to talk a little about knitwear layering. It’s a styling technique that’s not currently worn by many, but something we champion here at Colhay’s. If you match the right pieces, you’re rewarded with a stylish outfit that’s quick and easy to put together, along with long-lasting and all-important warmth and comfort.

Traditionally, with menswear we started out with a suit and this formal manner of dressing has gradually become increasingly casual over the years, with jeans and knitwear frequently seen on men on a day-to-day basis. Today men are no longer routinely reaching for a suit, even on work days, and you now often see somebody wearing a piece of knitwear with something more formal and structured, like a tailored jacket. Whilst this is a great way to achieve the balance between formality in an ever more casual business setting, we think there is merit in swapping the structured item for another piece of knitwear.

The benefit of this is that a structured jacket can still feel and look rigid, so swapping it out for another piece of knitwear doubles up the comfort and further enhances the casual look.

We have many customers who will invest in our pieces by buying multiple colourways of the same piece. Whilst we think this is a great idea, after all, it’s great when you find something that really suits you, we’re keen to suggest investing in knitwear in one other way, which is to consider combinations of different knitwear pieces.

New approaches to anything can feel a little daunting so we’ve put together a guide on how to choose the best pieces for layering below.

We’ve grouped some Colhay’s garments into three sections of increasing thickness:
Category One: Baselayer
Category Two: Midlayer
Category Three: Outerwear

The crux of the idea is that everything goes with everything. Here are the combinations:

Anything from Category One: Baselayer goes with anything from Category Two: Midlayer or Category Three: Outerwear
Anything from Category Two: Midlayer goes with anything from Category Three: Outerwear
And when it’s very cold and you’re looking for the ultimate comfortable and warm outfit, you could layer something from Category One: Baselayer, with anything from Category Two: Midlayer and with anything from Category Three: Outerwear, for a tripling of warmth.

For example, you can take the superfine lambswool mock neck from Category One, and pair it with the cashmere shirt cardigan from Category Two, like so:

Equally you can pair the same mock neck with something from Category Three, say the superfine lambswool shawl collar cardigan for more warmth if the weather is colder, like so:

In this case, you might want to invest in a combination of the mock neck, the cashmere shirt cardigan and the superfine lambswool shawl collar cardigan in your wardrobe to allow for all these combinations.

We will first run through some examples from each category, and we will then go on to suggest some knitwear combinations.

Category One: Baselayers

This list encompasses our favourite baselayers. Usually worn with a t-shirt or shirt underneath, these are endlessly versatile.

Cashmere crew

A classic crew neck sweater, this is one of those ‘goes well with absolutely everything’ pieces. You’ll likely see many of these types of sweaters on the market, but very few made of 100% luxury cashmere, made in Scotland in the old way, like the Colhay’s version. View here.

Cashmere polo shirts

Again, this is a 100% cashmere piece that feels wonderfully soft against the skin. This is another popular design but with a few design tweaks - a slightly deeper placket, for example - that make it more flattering than a standard polo. View here.

Cashmere submariners

Inspired by the rollneck jumpers once worn by the Royal Navy, this piece features extra detailing including a rollneck and rib stitch that add a little more interest to the garment. Rollnecks frame the face and are flattering on every body type whilst keeping you warm too. View here.

Cashmere wool chalet cable

Our version of a cable sweater features a subtle yet elegant cable knit. Inspired by vintage skiwear and the original apres-ski culture, this classic piece is made from a combination of cashmere and merino wool, making it incredibly soft to the touch. View here.

Cricket jumper

As the name suggests, this sweater is inspired by cricketers’ jumpers. We’ve altered the design slightly to make it more flattering and more suitable for the modern man - you’ll notice a slightly deeper v neck and that the colourways are more muted and elegant than those actually worn by cricketers. View here.

Fisherman cable knit

Made from 6-ply superfine lambswool - the very finest lambswool - our charming fisherman cable knit is a joy to wear. In keeping with the original fishermen’s sweaters that we took inspiration from, this piece is slightly shorter in the body and works well with high waisted trousers or jeans. View here.

Mock necks

Our mock necks are a great alternative if you’re looking for something different from a crew neck but a little quieter than a rollneck. They’re classic sweaters that are easy to style and will work well with items already in your wardrobe. View here.

Category Two: Midlayers

This second category comprises pieces that can either be worn as the outerwear piece, or can be worn under something more chunky. These are pieces that open at the front, cardigan style, but aren’t overly thick.

Cashmere painters shawl collar cardigan

This cardigan is particularly versatile. Wear open and it has a casual yet stylish drape, or wear buttoned up for a smarter, more formal occasion. Rather than patch pockets, we chose side pockets which give the piece a clean and uninterrupted look. View more.

Cashmere shirt cardigan

Perhaps the epitome of versatility, the cashmere shirt cardigan can be worn tucked in, untucked, as a shirt, over a shirt, over a jumper - the variations are almost endless. If you’re looking for an investment piece, this is an excellent choice. View more.

Tennis cardigan

Warm, but not bulky, this cardigan is made from 100% superfine lambswool. It’s breathable, too, and perfect for throwing on to keep warm on a summer evening or for layering with multiple pieces in the cooler months. View more.

Alpine half zip

Inspired by the ski-wear of old, our cashmere alpine half zip is made in a wonderfully soft and thick cashmere. Features a deeper zip neck and higher collar to help frame the face for a more flattering look. View more.

Merino club cardigan

Inspired by retro sport cardigans from the 60s and 70s, the merino club cardigan is an excellent transitional weather piece, with an open and airy texture, making it ideal for throwing on over a t shirt or polo shirt after a day in the sun. View more.

Category Three: Outerwear

Finally, this category is for our cosiest, chunkiest knits that can be worn over any item from the above two lists. These particular pieces are super soft, luxurious and incredibly warm.

Superfine lambswool shawl collar cardigan

Our signature piece, this is a comfortable, cosy and thick cardigan. It features a rib stitch and a shawl collar, a universally flattering design feature that makes this garment incredibly popular amongst men of all body shapes. View more.

Cashmere shawl collar cardigan

With all the same design features as the cardigan above, our cashmere shawl collar cardigan is a slightly elevated version that’s perfect if you’re looking for something a little more luxurious. View more.

Superfine lambswool shawl coat

This coat is the ultimate cosy garment, perfect for wrapping up for a cold walk or even just at home on winter nights. It’s longer than a cardigan and features a belted fastening that means, as the wearer, you’re enveloped in softness and comfort each time you put it on. View more.

Knitwear Combinations

Have a look at some of the knitwear combinations we put together below to see how easy it is to wear knitwear together by following our guide above.

Our hope is that, with this guide, you’ll find the art of layering knits simple, but please don’t hesitate to contact us for more help with styling our pieces.

Category One: cashmere ribbed submariner rollneck in dark olive
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Category Two: cashmere painter's shawl collar cardigan in black