As I continued my long-time search for the perfect cardigan – not too warm yet not too cool, a blend predominantly made of wool yet not itchy, oversized yet thoughtfully draped, you get the idea – I climbed the stairs of the one-stop shop for all things classic, Country Road.
The moment you walk into a Country Road store, you feel at ease. It’s as though everything on your mental list of essential basics has been assembled and styled on racks, just for you. Countless hours of sifting through large department stores in search for that perfect white shirt have been saved for you. Instead, you’re presented with not just one great option of that ideal shirt but possibly three, in varying shades of white and cuts to suit the individual.
With the amount of coordination, style and flair that goes in to their collections, the process is perfectly complimented by the store layout. After an Autumn knit? Head towards the right where the customised warmer colour palette begins, and you’re presented with an array of knits: chunky, loose, fitted, light, textured, etc. And there it was. That’s where I spotted it. My perfect sweater, wooing me with its plush wool/cotton/cashmere blend, gentle drape and sexy navy colour. So simple, I could have almost not given it a second glance but the way it was sensibly styled back with classic black, straight-legged jeans, I immediately envisioned it settling in nicely with my current wardrobe, almost like it was always there.
That’s when I realised the beauty of my current wardrobe. It’s been so carefully culled from past years, when I’d weigh it down with fast-trends, nasty cuts and impulse purchases that nowadays, it’s just a quick ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a contending item of clothing. With my collection down to only the basics and a few pieces unique to my style, I am able to mentally calculate the value of a new item by how well it will go with what’s at home. If something doesn’t mesh well with my most worn items – black tailored trousers, ink-blue skinny jeans, white linen shorts, navy blazer, khaki jacket, white T-shirts, button-up long-sleeved blouses in unique but timeless prints, etc. then it definitely doesn’t have a place in my wardrobe, as these items are in for the long-haul.
I can safely say that my new navy sweater is here to stay. The colour is not quite as stark as the often opted for black, but deep enough in tone to transcend into the zone of sensuality and elegance. It works perfectly with every piece in my wardrobe as it softly drapes whichever way you tell it to – obedient clothing, now that’s an idea…Not to mention my boyfriend gave it the thumbs up, which is always a plus! And to top it off, I wore it for the first time today and somebody commented how lovely the colour was on me. Win!
Daring, but I’ve been thinking of purchasing it in this lovely bright colour too:
