on-board

Seasonal trend: Fair Isle Sweaters

I LOVE the Fair Isle knit. It conjures up cosy images of Christmas time and roaring log fires, without being, well, too Christmassy. Easy-to-wear yet siginificantly more sophisticated than their Rudolph-embossed counterparts, Fair Isle sweaters should be a staple in every woman's wardrobe this winter.

But where did the Fair Isle knit get its popularity? For that we need to delve into the history of a miniscule island (really - it's only three square miles!) halfway between Orkney and Shetland in northern Scotland, with a population of only 70 or so islanders. 

 

 

Local knitters on Fair Isle discovered that fine yarns stranded into a double layer produced durable, warm, yet lightweight garments. It is likely that the island women developed the distinctive horizonal geometric patterns when a piece of patterned knitting was bartered into the isle from a passing ship – probably from Scandinavia.

 

 

 

For hundreds of years, demand for hand-knitting kept the islanders busy but it wasn't until the Prince of Wales (later to become Edward VIII) wore Fair Isle tank tops in public in 1921 that the popularity of the knit saw a meteroric rise!

The use of dyes from local sources meant the garments originally came in rather muted shades, but modern dyeing and knitting techniques now mean that Fair Isle gloves, scarves, hats and clothing abound in the brightest of hues.

So how to wear it? Well, if you're not shy of mixing your prints and patterns, then pairing it with tartan is THE way to wear it this season. The Chanel Pre-Fall 2013 fashion show saw chunky Fair Isle scarves nestled amongst a multitude of tartan, argyle and plaid. Our top seasonal tip? Team a cute Fair Isle jumper with a pleated tartan skirt, add some brogues or loafers and you'll have a perfectly wearable preppy look - festive without the flounce!

The Carry-on Luggage Challenge

I can remember the days when packing to go on holiday involved squashing the entire contents of my summer wardrobe into a variety of suitcases. And whilst I got to spend the week showcasing my fashion flair in a different outfit each night, the majority of my holiday attire came home completely unworn (but still needing to be washed after mingling with the other sandy garments in my suitcase).

Fast-forward 15 years and the increasingly strict airline baggage restrictions have meant that my holiday packing now has to be approached with military precision. The ultimate aim: to pack everything I need for a long weekend (or even a week) into a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead locker, so the airlines don’t get any more of my money than is absolutely necessary. I call it the ‘Carry-on luggage challenge’. Sounds impossible? Of course not…just follow these simple rules:

1. Pick one base colour. Neutral is best (tan, black or navy are great options), but if you have a particular colour that comprises a lot of your wardrobe, go with that.

2. Keep the coordinates simple. If you have navy trousers and a navy skirt, you can mix in tops in a few other colours; try white, red, turquoise or hot pink. Stripes or prints add interest and will jazz up an outfit too.

3. Pack items that can double-up. A swim cover-up can work as a dress, a tunic over some trousers or even a nightdress. Roll them up so they can be squashed into every available space; non-crease fabrics are a godsend here!

4. Think double-duty with shoes, too. Which means don’t pack a pair that will only go with a specific outfit…a pair of beige flats are probably best as you can team them with everything in your suitcase.

5. Accessories take up almost no space at all. Scarves, jewellery, belts and hats can be tucked into your bag and will help you get even more mileage out of your basic pieces.

6. Wear the heaviest (or bulkiest) stuff on the plane. If you think you’ll need a cardigan or jeans for chilly evenings, don’t pack them – wear them. The plane is almost always freezing cold anyway. Just ensure they’re easy to remove as you disembark the plane and hit a wall of 40-degree heat.

 

And the conclusion is…

Above all, plan what you’re going to take well in advance and mentally check-off what you will wear each day. Make a list. Be disciplined – don’t deviate. It’s always the last minute packing panic that will result in you paying an excess baggage charge. And most of all – enjoy the freedom of striding through the airport unencumbered by suitcases, smug in the knowledge that this year, you’ll be coming home to one small bag of washing. Bon voyage!