A sweater is a look

It’s simple. In winter, we want our clothes to do two things - look chic and keep us warm.

The key to this is a great piece of knitwear.

It doesn’t need to be a head-turning piece of complex design, although some of the tailored peplum knits from Alexander McQueen over the years have been quite fantastic. But no, what I’m talking about is a sweater that makes you feel really, really good. Not just ‘ok’.

All too often we reach for the same old sweaters we’ve had for years and wonder why they feel tired and don’t seem to fit. Shapes change, not just our shape but the cut of clothes and this goes for knitwear too. Just like with outerwear, current knitwear styles are generally more oversized than in previous years, looser and longer on the arms, which may explain why what once felt great might now feel boring and tight. Form-fitting is okay, tight is not. A sweater that’s worn close to the skin can be really striking, especially in a bold choice of colour, but only if the sleeves are long, not shrunken.

So if you’re thinking about upgrading your knitwear, where should you start? If budget allows, my first stop would be Khaite, for modern design and exceptional quality (yarn and construction) or The Elder Statesman for something decadent and eclectic in technicolour. On the high street, you can look very well put together indeed, courtesy of M&S’s Autograph range of cashmere - their crew neck comes in multiple colours, one of which is called ‘mole’ and is a flattering, chic shade of brown that seems to suit all skin tones and defies its £89 price tag.

The new Anya Hindmarch collaboration with Uniqlo hits stores at 7am tomorrow and is sure to sell out by sunrise, especially the lightweight cashmere crew neck which features thumbholes and Anya’s trademark eyes on one sleeve. They’re cute, with a slight Comme des Garcons feel, in pink, red, grey, navy and brown, priced £109.90.

An excellent, practical basic is a merino wool roll-neck that’s designed to be worn as a layer rather than a standalone piece. Find them at COS and Arket and layer under your spring-summer dresses, allowing them to be worn that little bit longer into the cold season, with tights and boots and a Chanel-style knitted jacket.

The right sweater is an invaluable garment in a capsule winter wardrobe. It can be paired with a midi or pencil skirt and knee high boots for day, worn with jeans and sneakers at the weekend and with smart trousers and heels in the evening. The icing on the cake is a pair of earrings - not too dainty, something we can see. Gold or silver will make you look polished and reflect light onto your face, like an instagram filter. Well maybe not exactly that, but you won’t care because you’ll feel great, which is what really counts.

I wish you a warm and cosy start to the festive season.