The items in this post are #gifted items and links marked * are affiliate links. I have previously worked with Boden and have received samples and gifting from Boden, M&S, ME+EM and Next. Please click here for more info and my disclosure policy.
A cashmere round-up for you, if you were thinking of investing in some before the “big freeze”. (Where is this big freeze? It keeps faffing about and then disappearing. I like to know where I stand with the weather, I want to know exactly how many days I have left until the spring when I can throw open my sash windows and sleep without a hat and coat on. So if this big freeze is coming then I’d rather it just bloody well got on with it and snowed us in for a few days. Big freeze? Big tease, more like.)
Where was I? Yes. My edit of the best jazzed-up cashmere; stripes and prints and colour-block sleeves. No plain knits here. These are the jumpers you can throw on with jeans (as inevitably I do) and still look as though some effort has been made. The only thing you need to rootle in your cupboard for is a t-shirt of vest top to put on underneath, though all of these jumpers are soft enough to wear against skin if that’s your bag.
I personally worry about only wearing one layer – once I went to a meeting in a cashmere jumper and almost fainted because I got too hot. I couldn’t take the jumper off because I didn’t even have a bra on underneath – I think I must have been pregnant. I mean, imagine treating everyone to that sight in the boardroom. Saucer nipples and a sweaty torso.
Right, which lucky brand gets to follow up that visual image? Let’s start with Boden and their amazing Celia jumper. Boden are getting good at sneaking rainbow stripes into unexpected places; here on the shoulders they look bright and cheery without edging into the realms of “Children’s TV Presenter”. You can find the Celia online here* – it’s £140, but you can usually find quite a good Boden discount code online if you look. My Mum sends me them almost daily. It’s an issue.
The fit of the Celia is relaxed and flattering – perfect if you hate your jumpers fitted around the tummy area. The drop shoulders make it slightly sexy and cute, I think – it’s the ultimate wardrobe-cheerer. It also comes in grey, if pink isn’t your thing…
You’ve seen the cat pics, I know, but here he is again, Mr Bear giving his best faces for the camera. He is for hire, should anyone want him to advertise Sheba or what have you. I usually feed him on Royal Canin British Shorthair biscuits but – to be honest – he’s easily bought and probably dying for a bit of culinary variety.
The marvellous cashmere number I’m modelling is from Made East and is called the Tina. Those who snapped it up in the sale when I mentioned it recently will be feeling very smug because it’s now back up to usual price. I have to say, the quality is up there with the best I’ve ever seen (and worn); the knit is really dense but very soft. Find it online here.
I’ve featured this Mix/J.Won roll-neck sweater before, just in a different colour. The panelled, block-coloured arms are really different and add a nice flash of coral to what would otherwise be a plain (but very chic!) knit. I think that the colour contrast really makes it modern and fun.
This roll-neck is great with jeans – the coral sleeves look particularly nice with light denim, I think. Find this at Next here* – it’s £120.
And here I am seductively holding my cat. Doing “come hither” eyes whilst holding my fur baby. It’s all mildly inappropriate in a way…
You might think that Mr Bear looks desperate to escape, but don’t let appearances deceive you. He is, in fact, signalling for me to hold him tighter. “More!” he says, telepathically, “more squeezing! It’s what cats like!”
See? He loves it. So squished he’s almost flattened – it sometimes surprises me that he even has a skeletal system under all of that fluff.
This animal print jumper is from M&S (£99 here*) and is possibly the best high street example du jour when it comes to interesting, patterned cashmere. With a soft, fine knit it is relatively fitted, so could tuck into a pencil skirt or paperbag-waisted trousers if you fancied that sort of styling.
And the earrings were six quid from Topshop – I bought them a few weeks ago so I’m not sure whether or not they will have them now, but there are loads of OTT seventies-style hoops online. Which I seem to have a thing for at the moment.
Now will you just look at this absolute beauty of a top? The ME+EM Cashmere Zip Jumper is like the world’s most luxe version of the tracksuit tops I wore in my teens. Something this nostalgic and well-executed just cannot fail to be cool. I felt eighteen again as soon as I put it on. I even slung a gold chain on over the top (Chloe, I’ve had it for ages and never find the right time to wear it) to complete the Ruth Circa 1998 look.
It’s quite a saucy little top and very fitted at the bottom – not one of those comfort-zone jumpers that covers hips and keeps your kidneys warm! Although it’s not cropped, so don’t die of fright just yet. It looks amazing with wide-leg trousers (I’ll be back with more pics) but equally, if you want to go down the Flashiest PE Teacher In Britain route then zip it on over posh jogging bottoms.
If you a) live in Gucci (or Gucci-style) trainers, b) want to inject a serious flash of colour into your life and c) need something good to take you into spring then this is your jam. When spring actually arrives, you can wear it as a jacket!
The Cashmere Zip Jumper is £249 here*.
Tell me, incurable jumper-wearers/those living in cold houses/climes; how many days in the past week have you not worn a thick sweater? It occurred to me this morning that I hadn’t opened my wardrobe doors for over ten days, which means that all of my garments have come from a drawer, which in turn means that I have only worn jeans, pyjamas and jogging trousers on the bottom half and jumpers on the top. Not even a cardi! Talk about getting into a comfortable rut…
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Uniqlo heattech, cashmere and sheepskin slippers are keeping me warm whilst I sit in my Garrett pounding out my masters beyond the walk ( well in Leeds). Not sure which is my favourite but possibly the gangsta PE teacher
Greetings from Wisconsin where the Polar Vortex Arctic blast is still in full force (- negative 16 degrees F/-negative 27C) plus snow up to our knees. I am living in my softest and coziest cashmere sweaters that I’ve been collecting over the years; my faves are from Pure Collection and when layered with a puffy vest and puffy coat, sorel boots, and hats and scarves I found while in Alaska…toasty, warm, and definitely my go-to uniform for now until the snow melts and the daffodils show themselves.
Oooh Pure Collection! Is that the same as the UK one? xx
Yes, one and the same. I became a super fan while attending a National Geographic tour during a particularly damp and cold autumn in the UK. Whenever I order, it comes directly from the UK…if you can imagine it takes an extremely long time to reach the Midwest, so I always prepare to wait several weeks to receive my order, but totally worth it. As a matter of fact, while our Arctic Blast has dissipated, I have a date at the theatre tonight and I’ll be wearing a Pure Collection cashmere cami top (in my signature color which is teal) with a super beautiful cardi and black leggings with big old Sorel winter boots tonight!
I think I shot a campaign for them about twelve years ago! Must try and find the pics. x
Scrap that, more like about fifteen years ago! Yikes
It’s so cold I’ve been wearing fur lined leggings, a long sleeved t-shirt, a Winnie the Pooh sweater with my dressing gown on top around the house! I’ve even gone out like that but I swapped my dressing gown for a knee length wool coat which I buttoned right up to the top so no one could see that I’m a 37 year old woman wearing Winnie the Pooh with leggings that make your legs look two inches bigger than they actually are. I think I should invest in some cashmere! Being cold makes me super grumpy!!!!
Children’s TV presenter is basically my entire aesthetic. I’m not even ashamed.
Hahahahaha.
This is unrelated but I read today that Unilever is stockpiling Magnums in case of a no-deal Brexit! You will be ok ;D
Ruth I’m not even sure what shape my body is this time of year under all the layers of clothing. What I do know is I wear an IKEA blanket as a scarf around the house. Tré chic. Bring on spring.
Hahahaha!!!! I have a blanket on too
Love all the jumpers in this post but I live in Sydney Australia where today has been nearly 40 degrees Celsius so at the moment a jumper even ones as beautiful as these seems something I can’t even imagine wearing. Once winter comes I will love the idea of wearing cashmere jumpers but unfortunately still about 4 months away before we will see even a hint of coolness. Mr Bear is fantastic he looks so happy and content plus with a coat like that no need for cashmere.
You do realise everyone in the UK now hates you, Jane. : )
xx
Haha Yes that’s lrobably true.
It’s bloody cold up here in Manchester Ruth, we got about 3 inches of snow yesterday, not loads but enough to make me skid (gently) into a tree!
I need to get me some better quality knitwear for work. Staticky acrylic from Tesco doesn’t scream professional.
Can I just say as a tiny final comment, that I like how you’ve done your gifted/ad/affiliate disclosures. Nothing too obtrusive, but obvious enough. You’ve always been one of the more transparent bloggers so I was confident you’d nail this :)
Thank you. It has really been stressing me. A lot of people are putting AD at the front of any piece with a press sample or affiliate link but I think that’s SO confusing for people! Obviously I’ll ad it if I have to down the line, but I think it’s actually LESS transparent and reckon a load of people will hide paid content behind a huge overarching AD label… x
I bought the Made East when I saw it on your instagram, it arrived yesterday and it is lovely. I am thinking though that size wise it is not right for me. What size you wear here? Living in Switzerland means that my closet is full of cashmere.. No complain here! Cheeers
Size medium! xx
Sorry, I should start putting sizes on the posts as standard. It would help wouldn’t it? x
I don´t wear a cashmere jumper everyday because I work in an office and wear dresses there. I do have a cashmere cardigan to throw on top though.
Anne|Linda, Libra, Loca
Love me a cardi.
The sweaters are fantastic!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Thanks Rena!
Absolutely love the one from Boden – just wish I could wear pink but it doesn’t suit me. Also the thought of cashmere at this time of year for us Aussies (think heatwave) is enough to make me run for an ice-cold anything really :)
They have it in grey as well – same rainbow shoulders! Oooh you lucky thing with sunshine. It’s hideous here. x
I loved this post, have now bought both the tracksuit top and the rainbow jumper, and am considering getting a cat. The latter is a joke, but good one Ruth <3 You look great.
Hahahaha