Crunchy leaves. Crisp air. Long walks. Golden landscapes. The simple pleasures of fall are plentiful. But it’s also the time when we start looking to our closets for a sense of comfort, warmth, and solace – layering up to temper the growing chill outdoors.
 

Luckily, fall/winter 22 brings with it a raft of irresistible knitwear trends to satisfy our cravings for coziness – but also ease and elegance. Because a great knit can make you look put together and feel simultaneously snug; it can be a canvas for accessories or take center stage; add playful texture, or create a smooth silhouette. 
 
Often a real investment piece, luxuriously crafted knitwear can be passed down through generations, with each wearer lending it a new attitude.
 
While we've got a knit to suit every fall occasion (and weather forecast), there are several factors to consider when shopping for sweater season. Are you looking for neutral tones or bold colors? Do you want to layer your knit over or under your outfits? Is simplicity the order of the day, with coordinating knit sets top of your wish list – or do you like your knitwear to make a statement?
 
Whether you’re planning on teaming your new knit with jeans and sneakers at the weekend or relying on it to reintroduce you to office life, we’ve curated our pick of the latest, most covetable fall knitwear trends. From cardigans to co-ords, knitted vests, layering hoodies and mood-boosting brights, which will you choose?

KNITTED CARDIGANS

Once relegated to the practical-but-dowdy drawer, the humble button-up has staged a comeback – making a triumphant return to both the catwalks and a central position in women’s closets.

With something as endlessly versatile as the cardigan, styling options are infinite. Shrug a cable knit cardi over your favorite floral midi dress and Chelsea boots for countryside escapes. Channel ’90s cool, and layer an oversized style over a simple cotton tee and straight-leg jeans for a laid-back weekend look. Try contrasting knitted cuffs and fuzzy cashmere with delicate blouses and swishy, tiered skirts. Or, for a modern take on after-dark dressing, button up a V-neck cardigan over bare skin and pair with tailored pants and embellished heels.

Whether sleek and sophisticated or chunky and cocooning, a cardigan is a cornerstone of a trans-seasonal wardrobe. It will carry you through those awkward, in-between fall days to the bitter end of the bitingly cold winter months.

We craft our cardigans from the finest, most luxurious fabrics: merino, cashmere, superfine alpaca yarn and lightweight viscose. Longline, fitted options in soft gray marl elongate your silhouette – but are also ideal for snuggling up in. Bell-sleeved styles bring a touch of retro flair. Boxier, more relaxed shapes with ribbed edges come in easy neutral or tangy citrus shades, bringing spirit-lifting warmth. Meanwhile, luxe details like contrasting trims and imitation horn buttons give our cashmere cardigans a contemporary edge.

As with all ME+EM designs, you can count on our cardigans for thoughtful hidden details, such as cuffs that can be turned back and a mid-heavyweight blend of merino wool and cashmere for minimal piling.

For the ultimate ‘throw on and go’ outfit solution, layer your ME+EM cardigan over our specially designed Cardigan Layering Top for added warmth and a glimpse of shirt detailing at the neckline.

KNITWEAR CO-ORDS

Ease into frostier weather (and a return to office life) with an elegant yet snug knitted co-ord set.

Taking its cues from the ultra-comfortable loungewear we all became so fond of during lockdown, co-ordinating knitwear uses luxurious fabrics to create something more refined – and worthy of the world beyond your front door.

Offering a contemporary twist on twinset dressing, knitwear co-ords are matching separates that can either be worn alone or paired together for a polished look.

From our merino cashmere rib sweaters and matching fitted midi skirts to our stretch cashmere palazzo pants and coordinating ballet wrap tops, this is maximum effect dressing with minimum effort. Combining cozy home comforts with timeless chic, our woollen ensembles will take you from the school run to meetings and back to the sofa for a well-earned glass of wine. Our new knitwear co-ords are crafted to go together in multiple equations, all equalling the same result: effortless modern style.

If you want to dial up the impact, opt for our intense cobalt blue cashmere co-ord. For something more low-key, our wide-leg pants and matching tops in classic black should do the trick. And the beauty is, you don’t just have to wear these pieces together – meaning you get more outfit mileage for your money.

Wondering how to style your new knitted set? Keep outerwear structured – a long tailored coat would be ideal – to stop the look sliding too far towards loungewear. Add a pair of loafers or bright white sneakers if you’re going down the wide-leg pant route, or try chunky-soled boots to toughen up woolly midi skirts and knitted dresses.

LAYERING HOODIES

When cold, wet weather and frantic mid-week mornings combine, we can all be found guilty of sacrificing style for warmth and familiarity. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Our advice? Invest in a chic yet cosy cashmere hoody that you can layer under anything and everything. Unflattering bulk, be gone.

Yes, a hoody might be synonymous with sportswear, but spun from sumptuously soft, 100% cashmere, it spells pure luxury. And when worn with sharp-shouldered outerwear, it adds a certain swagger to any outfit.

Elevated loungewear is a ME+EM signature; comfortable enough for running errands and working from home but suitably flattering should you bump into someone you know. And while our Icon Cashmere Crop Box Hoody may be a year-round bestseller, it comes into its own in fall. With a drawstring hem that allows you to create a more fitted waist, you can wear it open or closed thanks to the neatly concealed button-up front placket. For effortless layering, try styling it under a tailored blazer or a fitted coat for a fashion-forward look. On off-duty days, wear it with a leather biker jacket and a simple long-sleeved tee.

And because of its slightly cropped length, our cashmere hoody sits at just the right point to meet the waist of a wide-leg pant or a jersey sweatpant. Available in a rainbow of shades, from electric green to ice blue and classic black, our cashmere hoody can be as plain or as punchy as you choose.

KNIT VESTS

Sweater vests, knitted tabards, knit vests, knitted tank tops…whatever you call them, sleeveless knits are having a moment.

Perfectly suited to in-between days when the weather can’t make up its mind, or over-heated offices where a chunky sweater might equal a shiny face, the sweater vest has cross-season appeal. Not too chilly and not too stifling, this multi-tasking style hero makes light work of autumn layering.

A kind of style chameleon, sweater vests can feel preppy and sporty, retro and cool or cozy and homespun, depending on the type you choose. And from Fair Isle-patterned designs to neat cashmere vests and cable knit merino wool variations, we’ve got a knitted tank top for every mood.

Almost all ME+EM knit vests come with a detachable, button-in snood, so you get double the wear with the option of a polo neck or crew neck look. Plus, with neutral shades and saturated hues both covered in our collection, there’s something to suit the minimalists and the maximalists amongst you.

But how to style them? Show off a crisp cotton shirt or frill-trimmed blouse by layering a split hem knitted vest over the top. Or, keep the chill out by teaming your sleeveless knit with a fine-knit polo neck underneath. You can also use a sweater vest to get more wear out of midi dresses, sharpening up a floaty silhouette that wouldn’t otherwise be warm enough. Love the sports-luxe look? Try combining a knitted vest with our wide-leg track pants to get a head start on this season’s trends.

COLORFUL KNITWEAR

This season, knitwear comes in a cheerful variety of mood-boosting brights. So even if skies prove stubbornly grey, at least your closet can deliver some sartorial sunshine.

After the style wasteland of working from home, this fall's vibrant knits reacquaint us with the forgotten joys of happy-making fashion. And, whether you prefer rich, ’70s shades or highlighter hues, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to being colorful and cozy.

Exuberant color has emerged as a key fall/winter knitwear trend, and it’s livening up a series of new season looks. From zingy oranges to zesty greens, you’ll find new iterations of our bestselling Icon Cashmere Crop Box Hoody, cardigans, crew necks, cable knits and navy sweaters with bold contrasting cuffs. Wear these bold woollies under muted winter coats or blazers for a modern flash of color, or style with black leather trousers for a luxurious texture clash.

Proving vivid shades don’t have to be reserved for summer months, our signature cashmere crew neck sweater now comes in a spectrum of saturated hues, from azure blue to poppy red. The curved hem of this versatile piece rises at the front to sit just above the waistline – cleverly avoiding any bulk around your middle.

Partial to a polo neck? Look to our lush green merino wool and cashmere-blend sweater, which comes with a detachable snood, and can be worn as either a polo or crew neck. Forgo winter neutrals and team this invigorating bright green knit with a matching, machine-washable satin skirt – or slip a cuff underneath the sleeve – for an instant closet refresh.

Energy-revving and spirit-lifting, these colorful knits are sure to get the party started once the festive season rolls around.