Lands’ End Canvas Fair Isle Crewneck – $69.50
Ships free (no minimum) with code DAY2DAY and pin 4784. Expires 11/20/11
The Case For Fair Isle: We’re entering a time of year when many of us will be lucky to see the sun more than twice a week. It’s grey, it’s dark, and so are most of our cold weather clothes. The Fair Isle knitting pattern was invented on the most remote inhabited island in the U.K. So they know something about: A. Staying warm and B. Remaining cheerful enough not to murder each other during the winter months. It’s casual for sure, but as long as the fit is right it has a workman like feel that delivers a much needed dose of character around this time of year.
The Case Against Fair Isle: Hooray for color. Hooray for unexpected jolts of it via our socks. But this trend towards bigger and brighter colors and patterns is starting to make some grown men look like kindergarteners. Most Fair Isle looks either musty or childish. A stray Fair Isle sweater is to hipster fashion as henna tattoos are to real tattoos. Don’t go halfway. At best, Fair Isle is wildly busy. At worst, it looks like Grandma’s living room rug is halfway through giving birth to you. Not many women have ever said: “look at that sexy guy in the Fair Isle sweater!” And when they have, you better believe the colors were dark, the fella looked rough, and he was probably sporting a mustache that could have intimidated the pants off Medusa herself.
Are you on board with Fair Isle? Or are you sticking with solids, stripes and maybe argyle? Leave your take below.
I’ll choose this one.
http://www.jcrew.com/mens_factory_category/allnew/PRDOVR~53196/99102507081/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~205+16~15~~~~~~~/53196.jsp
The Fair Isle sweater is a classic look. The Duke of Windsor wore it. I’d wear it like this: http://tinyurl.com/86mq2ma ,or like this: http://tinyurl.com/7tu8e7y
classic, fresh, and clean. A yes for me
I agree that they can get a bit over the top with bright color, but not all “Fair Isle” sweaters suffer the same fate. There are quite a few sweaters available in more muted colors this season, andI for one am glad to see it.
I love the fair isle sweaters. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet because the good ones are so expensive, but yeah, if someone gave me a nice one I’d wear it.
Love them. Don’t own one yet but I like a lot of them. Ironically, not the one on this page. Maybe it is my Midwest Scandinavian heritage and the fact that I had a new one each holiday season during my childhood, but the look appeals to me.
I am in favor as well, which is strange for me because I typically like clothing that bold.
I guess I’m one of the few people to not like them much, for all the reasons you covered. To me they look more dated than classic.
I sort of like the dark one in the second photo, but I think I will pass on this trend all together. I have nothing against fair isle in general, it is just to busy for my style. I have seen others who looked great in them, but also people who looked like the were trying far too hard.
I actually like the LEC one in the picture above.
Love em, i’ve been looking for a fair isle sweater vest forever.
I am with Zaae, I bought the J Crew Factory sweater and think it strikes the right balance of being genuine without being too lively.
That LEC is one of the nicer Fair Isle patterns I’ve seen. The smaller the pattern the better. The larger the pattern, the more “JELL. Loooooooo. PUDDing. pop.”
I almost pulled the trigger on one at the Polo RL outlet store… I think it was $50. Looked nice, but I wasn’t ready to spend $50 on a sweater vest.
I think I know which one you’re talking about actually, but they didn’t have it in my size at my outlet
FYI, there’s a better discount code than the one listed. Land’s End is offering 40% off any one item w/ Free shipping with the code SNOW
What’s the PIN and does it apply to Canvas as well?
Wow, definitely not following the “giving birth to you” link.
That said, Fair Isle is fair game. One can’t always be striped and dotted!
I hope that’s not sarcasm, because this sweater is on top of its game!
Pin is 1174, but it looks like canvas is excluded from this one. Good catch though Jeff. Does look like they’ve taken Allen Edmonds off their site while the code is active. I’m showing it’s good through tomorrow.
I’m diggin the Fair Isle, just gotta be careful how often you’re wearing it. You can easily become “that guy” with something like this.
I too am a fan of the JCrew fair isle sweater – both factory and retail versions. I didn’t like FI sweaters before until I lost my beer belly – I felt too much like old man wearing a sweater with a horizontal pattern. Now that I’m trim, I’m digging the patten ore than ever before.
You need to, its hilarious.
Yup, the Factory is my fave as well. Best combo of traditional and modern with that color scheme.
I already have several from years before. Living in the upper midwest, around lots of people of Nordic extraction, it is just standard issue.
Nope. Not for me. I’ll allow others to rock the Bill Cosby.
I really like this sweater, but I need it to go on sale!
Wow, I’m in the minority, I would never wear one.
Fair Isle has a time (basically December). And the key is letting your sweater be the flashiest piece and understating everything else.
Never. I think they’re absolutely terrible. I’m surprised so many people like them.
Yuck.
I like it, it’s festive and fun.
A man who knows how to put together an outfit and knows what looks good for his body type can incorporate just about anything into his wardrobe and make it work. The FI sweater can look like a million bucks, or it can look horrible…it all depends on the man and on the context.
Exactly. It’s better to avoid the horizontal stripes if you’re a wider gentleman.
For, though I’d probably never buy it myself. I think it would be plenty nice and cozy to get one as a holiday gift and lounge around the house with family while the chill stays outside.
against
Is it just me or someone else also noticed that almost every brand brought out Fair Isle sweater this winter? I wonder who decided the trend.
Brooks Brothers: http://tinyurl.com/7sumrugTommy Hilfiger: http://tinyurl.com/8a9wttbRalph Lauren: http://tinyurl.com/6lswogyUrban Outfitter: http://tinyurl.com/cenkysuJ.Crew: http://tinyurl.com/7savjs5GQ Dec select: http://tinyurl.com/864esu6Which one will you guys lay eyes on?
Not to be too contrarian, but: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3351615/Horizontal-stripes-make-you-look-thinner.html