10 best fair isle jumpers for a cosy, apres-ski vibe

It's another year and I find myself yet again swerving the festive knits and sparkly jumpers (sorry to my colleague Leanne) and making a beeline for fair isle jumpers. I've spent the last week trying to find my fair isle knit of the season, and this year, there's more versions that ever to choose. 

You see, there are classic jumpers, cool sweaters, and then there’s the fair isle jumper – the sort of knit that evokes an apres-ski, moneyed vibe that never goes out of style. In my book, that’s one sort of jumper I need to own. 

It's become the knit du jour on Insta, with influencers styling the M&S fair isle knit with horseshoe jeans, maxi skirts and leather trousers - at the last look, it had been added to over 100 shoppers' baskets in the last 48 hours. One stole the limelight in this year's John Lewis Christmas ad and even Kristen Bell's character on Nobody Wants This wore a chic Ralph Lauren version. Not just for Christmas or skiing, see?

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Of course, the fair isle sweater is nothing new. It isn’t reinventing the fashion wheel – although its more recent iterations include trend-led elements like pops of colour, puffed sleeves, cropped lengths and touches of sparkle if you're that way inclined. But the way in which it’s worn now, is new.

How I chose the best fair isle jumpers

• Design: Staying as true to the traditional fair isle pattern as possible, I’ve picked sweaters that are on the same track as the Scottish design.
• Style: The majority of products are jumpers, but I’ve found a few other knitted designs to include – all with a fair isle pattern – to show how versatile this trend is.
• Fabric: Even though many of those included are made from polyester or less-natural fabrics, I’ve highlighted the ones made from wool, cotton or cashmere.
• Price: You can spend upwards of £200 on a fair isle jumper, less than £20. Since budgets differ, you’ll find prices across the spectrum in this edit.
• Trusted brands: As always, I try to include brands I personally shop from, wear and trust. And if it isn’t a brand I’ve tried, it’s one that gets consistently positive, and verified, reviews from shoppers.

Shop the best fair isle jumpers for women

How to style a fair isle sweater

The multi-coloured knit style knit has been a long time favourite of the royals, from portraits to apres-ski parties, and the classic pattern has stood the test of time to become a classic winter piece that works from the ski lodge to the streets.

Fashion stylist and influencer Helen Canning rates the "timeless" trend: "Fair isle knitted jumpers have a timeless appeal that transcends fashion trends and generations, giving a homespun heritage feel that we go back to every winter. These often colourful sweaters give a nod to the festive aesthetic without going all-out in a Christmas jumper, which you may only wear once or twice a year."

I’m all for wearing a fair isle jumper with your classic jeans, but it’s this season’s embellished denim that I think they look incredible with, especially a charcoal or black fair isle knit. Taking it from the ski lodge to the streets is easy – one would be a more interesting stablemate to a leather skirt, sequin skirt or leather trousers too. Add a pair of OTT earrings or a hair bow and you’re party ready.

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This year, the street style way is with white jeans like Sarah Hughes, layered over a turtleneck or with a pleated mini skit in the style of Sophia Rosemary. I also love how Sam Preston styles her with smart pinstripe trousers and flat loafers for a smart-casual vibe.

The high street has an abundance of them in the traditional fair isle sweater colours of white, nudes and browns but has also incorporated the pattern on punchy pinks, bold reds and greens, oranges and yellows while using the design on cardigans and zip-up knits too.

Royals and celebrities who love the look

From Princess Diana, who wore her neon pink and lime green incarnation sportingly so with neutral cord trousers, to the modern-day Princess of Wales, Kate, who is no stranger to falling back on a fair isle jumper for winter engagements and festive appearances. Proving once again that the fair isle pattern (named after an island in Shetland, northern Scotland, home to the knitting technique) lends itself not just to the slopes – or the apres-ski bar – but the pub, brunch or even for your kids' play date.

We love it when Princess Kate wears something more casual, and like the festive fashion pro she is, a fair isle jumper is something she wears year upon year. Kate wore a Holland Cooper fair isle sweater in a surprise TV appearance, to read a story on CBeebies’ Bedtime Stories TV show and last Christmastime, to promote a carol concert.

And she also has one from knitwear brand Brora, pictured above, that she falls back on for chilly royal engagements.

Not forgetting Princess Diana, a big fan of the traditional Scottish design. Cat Deeley recently caused a stampede by wearing an H&M fair isle knit on This Morning, and on the other end of the spectrum, the ever-glam Jennifer Lopez styled a fair isle sweater with a flowing black maxi skirt. That’s a lesson in how to make one into eveningwear, right there.