Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more

Nothing signals the start of the cold-weather season quite like the return of the Fair Isle knit. Once considered ‘ugly’ knitwear we’d only pull out the back of our wardrobes around the holidays as an alternative to a Christmas jumper (especially the red-nosed reindeer kind à la Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones’s Diary) or for a winter sport holiday (specifically to wear après-skiing), the Fair Isle jumper has become somewhat of a fashion statement as of late.

The knit is named after the small, eponymous Shetland Island in Scotland and uses a traditional knitting technique to create those distinctive patterns with multiple colours. It was brought into vogue by an earlier Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) in the 1920s, and has remained a casual wardrobe staple for members of the Royal Family, including Kate Middleton, whose jumper collection includes at least three different Fair Isle designs.

For more ideas on how to wear the nostalgic knit now, turn to celebrities like Claudia Winkleman, Alexa Chung and Katie Holmes, who’ve made it a cornerstone of their winter wardrobe. Whether you’re wearing it à la Winkleman with a kilt and chunky boots, or copying Chung’s effortless style by teaming it with a white tee and a pair of slim jeans, the Fair Isle knit proves endlessly versatile.

This season, a host of designers have embraced the Fair Isle knit, proving the multicoloured jumpers have become a timeless investment. And if that £2,150 cashmere cardigan from Prada is a little out of your budget, the high street has you covered. From a funnel-neck jumper from COS to a brushed mohair cardigan from Hush, scroll down for our pick of the cosiest knits to shop right now.

To get more of what you love from your favourite Sunday supplement, follow us on Instagram (@youmagazine), X (@YOUMagSocial) and TikTok (@you_magazine).