Introducing the Driver's Half Zip

With the cooler temperatures of autumn knocking on the door, the need for some slightly warmer options arises. In this article we will introduce our latest addition, and one of our favourite autumnal options, the Driver’s Half Zip Sweater.

The eagle-eyed readers amongst us may have noticed that a Colhay’s half zip does already exist, the Alpine Half Zip Sweater. As the same suggests, this is a heavy knit, one you’d wear when there’s ice on the ground and you know you’ll need to wrap up warm. At 350g, the Driver’s Half Zip is very much a mid-weight garment and well-suited to the changeable weather we experience in the autumn. (As always, if you’re choosing between the two, you will need to consider your own personal preferences and circumstances rather than solely our advice. If you run particularly hot or cold, or live in an especially cold climate, for example).

Here is our alpine half zip sweater, by way of reminder:

Half zips have been, and are currently, a very popular style thanks to their unrivalled versatility and convenience. If you’re an office worker, you can wear them on the commute and simply lower the zip to reveal your collared shirt whilst you’re working. A collared shirt is an almost universal and timeless marker of formality and, even as society overall becomes increasingly more informal, there are still times when you want or need to wear a collared shirt, to signify that you are treating a work environment with respect. A half zip sweater can be layered over a collared shirt very easily whilst still showing that you are wearing a shirt, and/or worn under a jacket, making it a very handy garment and an easy option to throw on in the morning. 

It’s certainly worth noting that if you don’t want to wear the sweater in the office, or if the sun emerges once again and you become too warm, this half zip is easy to fold up and pack away in your bag. 

Looking again at the practical aspects, the half zip makes a great alternative to a roll neck, which of course, means you are not able to show that you are wearing a shirt underneath, thus signifying formality. With a half zip, you can undo the zip and show the shirt, or do the zip up all the way to the top, should you wish, and your neck is still protected from the cold but the fit of the neck is a little looser, thus making it more comfortable for many.

When zipped up, the half zip offers the same flattering framing of the face that you’d benefit from when wearing a roll neck too. This style really does tick all the boxes. 

The Colhay’s Take on Half Zips

Generally speaking, the half zips on the market currently tend to fall into two camps: too tight or too baggy. Customers are caught between two unsatisfactory and unflattering fits, with high street styles often being on the tighter side and the more traditional brands offering sweaters that are fairly baggy and not slotting in well with the contemporary man’s wardrobe. 

Of course, at Colhay’s our goal is for our garments to be not just produced with quality and longevity in mind, but also for these factors to be heavily integrated within the design too. Yes, this is a half zip, of which you might have seen many other versions, but this half zip isn’t sloppy, rather it is considered, elegant and flattering. 

We’ve achieved this by striking careful balances within the design. Our version is neither too tight or too baggy, meaning it is fitted enough to look refined, but not feel restrictive. The shoulders are kept broad and the sweater tapers slightly down to the waist, creating a complimentary silhouette. We’ve also looked carefully at the length, ensuring it sits right on the waist and the neck, which is high enough to frame the face but not so high it’ll scratch on beards and chins. 

As you’d expect from a Colhay’s knit, this piece is made in Scotland, crafted in Hawick where you will find the country’s - if not the world’s - most experienced and skilled knitters. It’s also made from 100% cashmere, which we source from Todd and Duncan, yarn spinners that have been in the industry for 150 years now and have developed a deserved reputation for outstanding quality. 

Styling Tips

If you’re looking to wear this sweater to work, you can keep things very simple with a shirt underneath and a smart pair of trousers. As mentioned above, it’s easy to quickly pop on a jacket over the top too. 

With casual outfits, you have a wide range of options. Wear over a plain t-shirt and with jeans for a quick, grab-and-go type outfit for informal occasions where you want to look casual but also well put together. You can, in fact, wear this sweater with almost any type of trouser and create a stylish outfit. 

Perhaps you need something to work as a layer piece for cooler evenings whilst you’re on holiday. Easily packable, the Driver’s Half Zip Sweater is ideal for this scenario. For another easy vacation or summer outfit, we recommend wearing with shorts and loafers. 

Whilst we’re looking at the weather spectrum, it’s also interesting to note that it works extremely well as an under layer too. For example, in the depths of winter, you might want to layer a shawl collar cardigan over the top for the ultimate cosy, warm and insulating outfit. 

Interested in our half zip sweaters? You can find them all here.

As always, we are on hand to answer any questions you might have about our newest garment, and indeed all of our others too. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here.