Luxury Knitwear: How to Choose It as a Gift

Our winters are short but real. Highveld mornings are crisp, Cape winters are damp, and even summer evenings at the coast or around a braai can turn cool. A good knit fits all of these, which makes it far more useful here than a heavy coat.

Start with how the person actually dresses:

• The layerer wants a fine crew neck or V-neck to wear over a collar. It pairs naturally with crisp shirts for work and weekends.
• The relaxed dresser will reach for a hoodie, zip-through or cardigan more often than anything formal.
• The statement wearer may enjoy a bold logo, jacquard or oversized cut.

When in doubt, a neutral colour such as navy, camel, grey or cream is the safest choice. It works with what they already own.

The fibre decides how a piece feels, how warm it is and how it ages.

• Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats. It is light, very warm for its weight and soft against the skin. A two-ply yarn generally holds its shape better than a single ply.
• Merino wool is a fine wool that breathes well and regulates temperature. It is a practical choice for variable South African days and for anyone who finds ordinary wool scratchy.
• Cotton knits suit warmer regions and spring evenings. They are easy to wash and good for people who run hot.
• Blends with silk add sheen and drape. A small share of synthetic fibre can add durability, though it lowers breathability.

Also look at the gauge, meaning how tightly the knit is made. A fine gauge feels smooth and sits neatly under a jacket. A chunky gauge is warmer and more casual. On any fibre, firm, even stitching and neatly finished seams are a better sign of quality than softness in the hand alone.

Sizing knitwear for someone else is easier than sizing tailoring, but a few checks help:

1. Compare the shoulder seam and sleeve length with a jumper they already wear often.
2. Note whether the style is meant to be slim, regular or oversized. Designer houses vary, and an oversized cut is often worn in a smaller size.
3. If unsure between two sizes, choose the larger for cardigans and the truer fit for fine crew necks worn under jackets.

It is worth passing on a few care basics with the gift:

• Hand wash in cool water with a wool detergent, or follow the label if it says dry clean only.
• Dry flat and reshape while damp. Never hang a wet knit.
• Store folded, with cedar to deter moths.
• Light pilling is normal on cashmere at first. Remove it gently with a cashmere comb.

Several leading houses treat knitwear as a signature category, each in its own register.

• Burberry, the British house known for its trench coat and check, offers classic cardigans and crew necks with heritage detailing. Explore Burberry knitwear.
• Gucci, founded in Florence, brings Italian colour, the green-red-green Web stripe and GG motifs to its knits. See Gucci knitwear.
• Balenciaga is known for strong, volume-led silhouettes, and its knits are often oversized and graphic. Read our guide to Balenciaga knitwear.
• Louis Vuitton, the Paris house that began with trunk-making, works its Monogram and Damier patterns into refined knits. Discover Louis Vuitton knitwear.

If you have a particular house, colour or fibre in mind, tell us what you are looking for and we will come back to you with options.