Fair isle sweaters to wear all winter long

Updated January 13, 2017

Don’t you just adore winter sweaters? There are so many cute ones this season with little knitted patterns such as snowflakes or animals. I think it reminds me of my childhood snowsuit and sweaters from the 80s/90s. Since starting The Pink Paperdoll, quite a few people have asked are fair isle sweaters only for Christmas. I suppose I am kind of an expert on sweaters, after nearly three decades living in the north and two winters literally working in a castle made of ice.

So the question is…can you wear fair isle after Christmas?

Knit patterned, fair isle-inspired sweaters have an iconic wintery look that’s often associated with the holidays. But these cute, warm sweaters don’t have to disappear at the stroke of midnight on January 1. I know what it’s like to have a favorite wool or cashmere sweater you just want to keep wearing cause it’s so cozy! Perry the dog knows that feeling too.

So my answer is yes, you can. Fair isle is so beautifully, classically winter that I see no reason why not to wear it all the way through February. It’s perfect for snowy resort ski trips, lounging around the house and staying warm anywhere you go. Besides, Wear what you love, not what the rules say to wear. Click To Tweet

I still wear my beloved Lilly Pulitzer chevron sweater dress even though the fashion experts say chevron is dead as a door nail. And winter white is wildly popular, despite those rules that say no white after Labor Day.

How to wear fair isle after Christmas

If you’re still concerned about looking too festive in fair isle in the New Year, here are two suggestions for choosing timeless sweaters: the pattern and the color. Then you can be assured you’re wearing fair isle that doesn’t scream “Christmas!”

1. Choose non-seasonal motifs. Shelve the reindeer for next year, and choose instead other animals or year-round patterns. I think snowflakes are acceptable-here’s proof. I also have an heirloom Nordic sweater that’s red and black but highly appropriate in Minnesota practically year round ?

2. Choose winter colors. Blues and whites have a wintery but seasonally fresh appeal. But again, don’t fret if your fave threads are mainly spun from red, green or white…nobody’s judging.

Buy the perfect winter fair isle sweater

There are plenty of deals to be found on fair isle sweaters. Here are affiliate product links to shop some of my favorite fair isle fashions that are on sale right now: