When we think of linen clothing, it's usually in the guise of lightweight unstructured summer suiting, or breezy shirts and trousers, but rarely knitwear. Maybe it's an English thing? After all, we tend to reach for knits in the colder months, when we're after the comforting warmth of chunky wool yarns. But in the spring and summer months, linen knitwear really comes into its own as a lightweight yet substantial layering option.
We love working with linen here at Oliver Spencer. It's the most sustainable natural fibre given that it comes from flax crops, which are typically naturally irrigated by rainwater. But from a design point of view, it's a dream to work with as it has a beautiful natural drape and a slubby textured finish that takes dye really well. When it's blended with cotton, which is what we've done with this season's knitwear, it almost adds a silky characteristic to the cloth, too.
When creating spring knitwear, the linen-cotton blend is perfect since its warm yet lightweight, and doesn't have the volume of woollen knits so you can easily layer them beneath tailored jackets without feeling bulky. We've used it to create our perennial Blenheim jumper silhouette in a rich burnt orange tone with beige stripes, as well as its navy counterpart.
|
Blenheim Jumper |
Blenheim Jumper |
Our Roxwell knitted jacket is another sublime spring layering piece constructed from a linen and cotton blend. It's a sort of hybrid cardigan that's very easy-to-style as a spring layer or a piece of summer outerwear, and is a simple way to add subtle texture to a casual look. The stripe detail on the collar, cuffs and hem give it a heritage aesthetic that'll slide right into a preppy wardrobe.
|
Roxwell Knitted Jacket |
Roxwell Knitted Jacket |
Similarly, our Penhale knitted polo shirt is also a great preppy-inspired piece of knitwear, cut from the same beautiful linen and cotton blend cloth. You can wear it with Oliver Spencer's trousers and a blouson for an easy weekend fit, or use it to dress down a suit or separates.
|
Penhale Knitted Polo |
Penhale Knitted Polo |
Linen knitwear is a revelation in the spring months, because it brings much needed texture to your wardrobe, without the additional bulk of traditional wool knits.