Knitwear

Women's knitwear

Knitwear does two jobs in a working wardrobe: it gets you through winter, and it gets you through the air conditioning the rest of the year. The Forcast range covers crew neck, V-neck, scoop neck, turtleneck and high neck knits, short sleeve knits, button-up and zip styles and cotton cable knits, in sizes 4 to 18. It is made for women who want something warm that still looks tailored.

Choosing a knit

A fine crew or V-neck knit, like the Tania Crew Neck Knit or the Vicky V-Neck Knit, sits neatly under a blazer and works as a top on its own. Short sleeve knits such as the Catherine Short Sleeve Knit are the answer for offices that run cold in summer. Turtlenecks and high necks carry a suit through winter without a shirt underneath. For layering that comes on and off through the day, start with cardigans; if warmth is the priority, go straight to jumpers.

What to wear it with

Tuck a fine knit into work pants or a pencil skirt and add a belt to mark the waist. A relaxed knit top sits well over a straight or wide leg pant and keeps the proportions balanced. A cardigan thrown over a slip dress takes it from evening to office.

If you want texture head to toe, knit skirts and knit dresses match the same handle, and a coat goes over the whole lot without bulk.

Fabric and fit

The range uses cotton and wool blend knits, with the weight varying by style. Rib and fine gauge knits sit closest to the body and layer best under jackets, while cable and fluffy knits are heavier and are happiest worn as the outer layer. Fold your knits rather than hanging them so the shoulders keep their shape.

How to shop knitwear

Sizes run from 4 to 18. Work out first whether a piece is a base layer or a top layer: base layers want your usual size so they sit flat under tailoring, and outer layers can take a little more room. Check your bust and waist measurements against the size guide if you are between sizes, and think about the neckline and sleeve length you reach for most, because that is usually the knit that gets worn to pieces.