‘Find me a beautiful black classic jumper’, my mum would plead practically every time I called.
Short of waving a fashion magic wand I had yet to uncover just the one – that was, until, the recent launch of NavyGrey. It was created by self-confessed jumper obsessive Rachel Carvell-Spedding, who too was in search of the perfect knit. “20 years ago my mother bought me the [perfect] jumper,” she explains. “I spent years trying to find one just like it. I couldn’t. So I decided to create one.”
The brand offers just three classic styles – The Funnel, The Neat, The Relaxed – in four refined colours: navy, black, grey and ivory.
Each one can be worn and reworked day-after-day. I love that they are carefully proportioned so you can layer with ease. I’m not paralysed by endless choice. And Rachel knows the product back to front – what works in colour and in shape. It’s simple and flattering – and they are cosy too. Each knit is spun from soft Australian merino wool, which is both lightweight and warm, while there is a handy wooden de-bobbler to deal with any pilling (although the wool is less likely to bobble than cashmere). And if you like your knitwear with a side of sustainability, NavyGrey has a considerable conscience. The packaging can be returned and recycled free of charge, the ink is non-toxic and UK shipping uses a carbon-neutral delivery service. If only all brands could be this reassuringly focused and simple. The jumpers are not high street prices but as my mother and I agreed, high street jumpers last for no more than 12 months or 12 washes. You pays your money, you takes your chance. Navygrey.co