It’s a great time to be an item of knitwear. Or, at least, it will be as soon as this unseasonably warm start to autumn turns, bringing the crisper temperatures one usually associates with 100 per cent wool. The autumn/winter 2026 catwalks had a lot of fun in the form of jumpers and cardigans. At Tom Ford, a giant cardigan – rendered in a comforting shade of a tea-dunked digestive – became a cosy substitute for a coat (and yet, paired with polka-dot sheer tights and patent heels, also proved it’s a garment that do glamour). On Toga’s catwalk, fine-gauge, colour-popping cardigans were knotted around the waist on several outfits, creating knitted belts-slash-corsets that gave shape (and lent interest) to shirts, sweater vests and even blazers.

Sometimes, however, you don’t need to mess with a classic, which is why this autumn we’re particularly excited about the glut of gorgeously collared knitwear. From the kind of cardigans that have bookish appeal to jumpers that have in-built neck protection, they’re a subtle twist on the turtleneck, an upgrade on the crew and a timely alternative to the V.

Prada’s Aran-knit cardigan is a case in point. It’s bulky and practical, zippered for ease and designed with pockets that you can bury your hands inside when conditions are truly bitter. The styling was sublime and fabulously librarian-esque with a knee-length crinkle skirt, canary-yellow knee-high boots embellished with clusters of beads and a top-handle bag sitting right on the wrist joint.

Dries Van Noten’s Fair Isle jumpers were a multicoloured joy (note the styling with an ankle-length cargo skirt and thigh-high boots and tell us you don’t believe knitwear can be part of a tantalising ensemble). What’s even more tantalising is that – surprise! – this collared jumper isn’t a collared jumper at all, but rather three separate components: a jacquard wool collar, a scarf that loops under it a jumper. How thrilling that you could pair the first two items with a grey crew-neck or wear the jumper with a collared cardigan underneath – the options are quite limitless (and surely a testament to the genius of Dries).

Brunello Cucinelli AW26.

Collared knitwear can be a useful vehicle for navigating in-between temperatures when leaving the house with a jacket feels like overkill. “Collars are practical and aesthetic in equal measure,” confirms Ruth Alice Rands, founder of knitwear brand Herd, which sources and processes all of its wool within a 150-mile radius. Its Gretna cardigan – made using an intarsia technique with an outdoorsy colour palette of “peat” “mist” “damson” and “jam” – has a collar that “can be buttoned up and folded or worn down, but it also serves to frame the face,” according to Rands.

Brunello Cucinelli styled its chunky button-down, complete with a shearling collar and leather edging, over a shirt and tie situation, creating a rather pleasing double collar. Another idea for office attire is a short-sleeved collared knit over a long-sleeved cotton top in a contrasting shade of the same colour. A collar might be nothing to write home about but, attached to a jumper or cardigan, it still feels like a new-season no-brainer.

Shop ’s edit of the best collared knitwear