Jumpers

When the great heating debate starts in October, a jumper settles it. Our women's jumpers are made for the long British autumn and the winter after it, neat enough for a meeting, relaxed enough for a muddy walk, and easy to pull off the moment a room warms up. Nobody wants to be the one peeling off layers halfway through a presentation.

Cable knit jumpers bring that timeless, textured look. Ribbed knits sit neatly under a coat, while turtleneck and roll neck styles are made for the coldest mornings. V-neck and crew neck jumpers layer over a shirt, half-zip designs open up as the day gets going, and relaxed fits suit weekends. A handful of jumper dresses round things off for the days when one piece is all you can face. Black, grey, green, blue and pink lead the way, with a few brighter shades for grey skies. You will find S to 2XL or beyond on most styles.

Most of us wear knitwear in layers, so think about what goes underneath. A V-neck over a collared blouse looks neat for work; a chunky cable knit with jeans and boots is the unofficial uniform of a country pub on a Sunday. A roll neck under one of our coats is the classic winter pairing, and ladies jumpers of every kind go easily with our trousers. If you prefer a layer you can open and close through the day, our cardigans do that job beautifully. For chilly offices, a half-zip over a shirt collar is a smart, easy choice.

Women's jumpers have a habit of migrating to other people's wardrobes. Buy the one you would quietly steal back from your partner's side, and keep it firmly on yours. Every winter needs at least one, and most of us end up with three.