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Style Debate: Fair Isle Sweaters

November 16, 2011 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Here's why.

Lands’ End Canvas Fair Isle Crewneck – $69.50icon

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.

Filed Under: Clothing Tagged With: Fair ISle, style debate, Sweater, trenc

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Comments

  1. Zaae says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    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

  2. Pancho says

    November 16, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    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

  3. Brad D says

    November 16, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    classic, fresh, and clean. A yes for me

  4. DaveS says

    November 16, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    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.

  5. Jason says

    November 16, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    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. 

  6. Anonymous says

    November 16, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    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.

  7. Bennynojets says

    November 16, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    I am in favor as well, which is strange for me because I typically like clothing that bold.

  8. YackoYak says

    November 16, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    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.

  9. Chris Wallwork says

    November 16, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    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. 

  10. Mike N says

    November 16, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    I actually like the LEC one in the picture above.

  11. David says

    November 16, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Love em, i’ve been looking for a fair isle sweater vest forever.

  12. Paul says

    November 16, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    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.

  13. Anotherjames says

    November 16, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    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.”

  14. Jason says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    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. 

  15. David says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    I think I know which one you’re talking about actually, but they didn’t have it in my size at my outlet

  16. jeff says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    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

  17. Jason says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    What’s the PIN and does it apply to Canvas as well?

  18. Beej says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    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!

  19. Beej says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    I hope that’s not sarcasm, because this sweater is on top of its game!

  20. Joe says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    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.

  21. Ben Boskovich says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    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. 

  22. Tarek Dhanani says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    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.

  23. khordkutta says

    November 16, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    You need to, its hilarious.

  24. BenR says

    November 16, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    Yup, the Factory is my fave as well. Best combo of traditional and modern with that color scheme.

  25. bassopotamus says

    November 16, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    I already have several from years before. Living in the upper midwest, around lots of people of Nordic extraction, it is just standard issue. 

  26. Butch_Z says

    November 16, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Nope. Not for me. I’ll allow others to rock the Bill Cosby. 

  27. Austin says

    November 16, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    I really like this sweater, but I need it to go on sale!

  28. ron combs says

    November 16, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Wow, I’m in the minority, I would never wear one.

  29. Anonymous says

    November 16, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    Fair Isle has a time (basically December). And the key is letting your sweater be the flashiest piece and understating everything else. 

  30. Rich says

    November 16, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Never. I think they’re absolutely terrible. I’m surprised so many people like them.

  31. Brandon Mohon says

    November 16, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Yuck.

  32. Sal Orlando says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    I like it, it’s festive and fun.

  33. Marshall Lilly says

    November 16, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    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.

  34. Marshall Lilly says

    November 16, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Exactly.  It’s better to avoid the horizontal stripes if you’re a wider gentleman.

  35. Cannon says

    November 16, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    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.

  36. Guest says

    November 16, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    against

  37. Benson says

    November 16, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    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?

  38. BenR says

    November 16, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Not to be too contrarian, but: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3351615/Horizontal-stripes-make-you-look-thinner.html

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