How to layer knits like a pro: The secret to staying warm without the bulk

How do I layer knitwear?

Spring, showbiz awards and footy are most people’s favourite seasons. I prefer knitwear season. On the first day post-summer when the maximum is 20 degrees, I retrieve cardigans, crew-neck jumpers and beanies from a storage trunk, replacing them with shorts and singlets.

Part of the attraction of fine Australian merino wool and the odd cashmere investment piece stems from my own laziness. Rather than face the ironing board and starch spray, it’s easier to throw a jumper over a creased T-shirt or business shirt in the morning for a polished, preppy finish.

While Netflix’s lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, hosted by the Duchess of Sussex, offered irrelevant life hacks, such as making balloon arches (please don’t), she delivered a masterclass in layering knitwear on her visit to Australia with Prince Harry last month.

On one Melbourne visit, Meghan wore what appeared to be a chunky, taupe turtleneck jumper beneath a khaki, suede jacket (she wore a matching skirt) without raising a sweat. On removing the collarless jacket of her chic, stealth-wealth ensemble, the Duchess revealed two things: a sleeveless P Johnson knit and very toned arms.

The advantage of knitted sleeveless tops and vests, of course, is that they fit beautifully beneath jackets, keeping your core warm while preventing arms from looking like stuffed sausages. If it’s too nippy for bare arms, sleeveless knits work equally well with shirts and T-shirts. V-neck versions are on-trend for tie-wearers. The only disadvantage is that you might have to iron your shirtsleeves.

Got a style conundrum? Email damien.woolnough@nine.com.au

Read more from fashion editor Damien Woolnough:

• A ’90s footwear trend is coming back – but this time, it should be easier
• The season’s new jacket style has an added bonus
  
• An old-school rain accessory just might be making a comeback
  
• Autumn style: Structured ’80s silhouettes, precise tailoring and high-impact accessories
  
• How can I continue to get wear out of my black and grey jumpers without being boring?
  

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