You have probably owned a Fair Isle sweater at some point, and you’ve definitely seen one before — even if you don’t know it. The festive design is a winter season staple that has been increasingly adopted by designers and high-end brands.
The term Fair Isle sweater is now used to describe any knitwear with the island's geometric pattern but the style originates from the island's hand-made designs. Created on the Shetland Islands, of which the Fair Isle is a member, it is the northernmost part of the United Kingdom. For its 22,990 inhabitants, the multicolored knitted sweater is part of a uniform worn by all generations. The handmade jumpers with intricate and historic patterns have become the inspiration of many designers as they create nostalgia-inducing statement pieces.
This season, labels such as Celine, COMME des GARÇONS, and Maison Margiela all have fair-isle sweatshirts available on shop shelves. Here are some of our favorite designs for you to try out this winter season.
Shop our favorite Fair-Isle Jumpers below.
Alex Mill Fair Isle Knitted Sweater
A purveyor of timeless designs, Alex Mill has its own variation of this classic jumper created using multicolored nylon, acrylic, wool, mohair, and alpaca blend fabric.
Comme des Garçons HOMME Shell-Trimmed Fair Isle Sweater
COMME des GARÇONS HOMME brings a utilitarian twist to this wool fair isle sweater through a brown shell pocket at the chest.
Eye/LOEWE/Nature Patchwork Fair Isle Sweater
Made using recycled certified fabrics, this sweater combines various classic Fair Isle motifs into one garment through its patchwork design.
Molly Goddard Lennon Fair Isle Sleeveless Sweater
The sweater vest has had a resurgence thanks to the likes of Tyler, The Creator and Harry Styles sporting the look. Add a Fair Isle pattern to the design and a new level of ’70s nostalgia is conjured up.
Junya Watanabe Striped Knit Sweater
Festive red and green tones pop out on the pattern for this sweater from Japanese designer Junya Watanabe. It is asking to be worn next to a log fire with a mulled wine.
Kapital Intarsia Fair Isle Sweater
Kapital's signature bones motif on the sleeves across the back of this jumper adds a playful twist to the iconic design. Crafted in Japan from a 7-gauge wool blend, the sweater features a boxy fit, which is achieved through the dropped shoulders and subtly cropped body.
Celine Oversized Rhinestone-Embellished Fair Isle Sweater
The grunge-chic aesthetic that Hedi Slimane has introduced to Celine is exemplified in this luxe sweater. An opulent twist to a classic silhouette, light-catching rhinestones are embellished throughout its design.
Maison Margiela Jacquard V Neck Vest
Made from a striped jacquard wool fabric, the fluffy nature of the material makes the various colors on this sweater vest blend into each other and create a slightly psychedelic effect.
