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How to give your knitwear a party-ready twist

It’s an effortless way to up the ante, and keep warm, after hours

Thursday 04 October 2018 11:00 BST

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Tierny Dress, £158, All Saints

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Autumn has finally arrived, which can mean only one thing: it’s time to invest in the cosiest of knitwear.

A staple in every wardrobe, comfy jumpers are the perfect partner for Sunday morning dog walks but, if you thought they were the sole reserve of dreary daytime jaunts, you’d better think again.

Until now, knitwear has been synonymous with wrapping up in your warmest, most comfortable attire but, thanks to a number of autumn/winter collections, the humble sweater has been repositioned as the ultimate party companion.

Tired of catching a chill in your evening dresses? Then this is the trend for you.

At Erdem, the trend for nightime knits came in the form of a collection inspired by Adele Astaire - Fred's elder sister - where cable knits were worn over brocade cocktail dresses, as though the star had thrown her husband’s jumper over the top of her finest gown.

Elsewhere, Simone Rocha draped argyle knits around the necks of models wearing subversive feminine dresses, while Preen by Thornton Bregazzi paired handkerchief-hemmed numbers and shimmering gowns with patchwork fair isle jumpers.

It's evident that this season layering has never been more important and by taking some clever cues from the catwalk you can ensure you look party-ready while simultaneously beating the chill.

Of course, cold winter nights still require something a little special, so the trick here is to pair your knitwear with skirts and dresses made from luxurious fabrics such as silk, satin or velvet for an opulent clash of textures.

If you're worried about not being able to make the ultimate pairing yourself, there are luckily some brands that have done all the hard work for you.

All Saints, for example, has created the Tierny Dress, which offers an instantly layered look. Featuring a satin silky midi dress and a long-sleeved cropped jumper, it’s just as cosy as it is stylish.

Velvet Pleated Midi Skirt, £35, Marks & Spencer

An effortless way to up the ante at night time, pair your sweater combo with a handheld bag, gilded jewellery and high heels to avoid feeling underdressed.