Would You Wear It or Gift It: Fair Isle
Happy Tuesday, all! The regular Tuesday Would You Wear It post has a twist…Would You Wear It or Gift It: Fair Isle.
This display at JC Penney motivated me to look at the would you wear it post in broader terms.
Winter fashions always feature the classic fair isle designs and inspirations.
Fair Isle is “a style of knitting clothes using different colors and designs in wool which are repeated in rows. It was originally developed on Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands.”
Of course, it’s popularity has been vast in North America and their are many versions.
So, let’s get started today and answer…Would You Wear It and Would You Gift It?
WOULD YOU WEAR IT OR GIFT IT: FAIR ISLE
When I was in JCP recently, there were at least four displays with their North PoleTrading Company Fair Isle patterns.
The idea of asking would you wear it and would you gift it hit me at that moment.
Let’s begin with you to answer Would You Wear It?
This is the NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY FAMILY WOMEN’S MOCK NECK LONG SLEEVE PULLOVER SWEATER...and it is very affordable.
The fashion merchandiser has styled it with black jeans…would you wear it as styled?
Please answer if you are a Fair Isle fan or not?
JCP offers us a way to stay current but not break the bank.
Consider also what you think about JCP going full in to offer fair isle styles for the entire family…do you think the whole family would wear it?
While you are thinking, here are the links for the other display family looks. However, I cannot find the men’s crewneck online, so the link is for the V Neck Sweater:
NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY FAMILY MEN’S V NECK LONG SLEEVE PULLOVER SWEATER. (also in boy’s)
and I personally like the MENS CARDIGAN.
NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY FAMILY MATCHING GIRLS LONG SLEEVE SWEATER DRESS
Now, would you wear the women’s cardigan?
This is the NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY FAMILY MATCHING WOMEN’S CARDIGAN.
Of course, we cannot forget the sweet little babes.
This is the NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY FAMILY MATCHING BABY UNISEX PANT SET.
NOW, WOULD YOU GIFT IT…WOULD SOMEONE ELSE WEAR IT
As far as gifting goes on this fair isle pattern, there are many options in scarves, hats, socks etc.
This is the NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY ADULT BEANIE.
There is a KIDS HAT also.
And the NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY FAMILY MATCHING SOCKS.
but, I like the NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY REINDEER SOCKS!
AND, do not forget the family dog! NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY FAMILY DOG SWEATER.
WOULD YOU WEAR IT…or WOULD YOU GIFT IT?
You can also check out NORTH POLE TRADING COMPANY for gifts and decor.
JCP is another retailer creating a fun space for holiday shopping…displays and offering just put a smile on customer faces.
After I touched this one, I almost took home the FAUX MINK SHERPA.
But, Mr. B would have looked at it and then over at the other Christmas throws and said…SERIOUSLY?
But, this is a nice one and grandchildren love soft blankets.
Also, speaking of grandchildren, JCP has fun activities in store of you to pick up for holiday fun with kids.
I cannot find them online, but they do look like something young children would enjoy.
Family traditions can be started at any time…and decorating ornaments with them would be a fun one to continue year to year.
OK, ladies, it is your turn……
Fair Isle patterns? Would You Wear it? Would you gift it?
Cannot wait to read what you think of these displays at JC Penney’s.
Please give us your thoughts and make sure that you all……
KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
Remember, you can shop ANYTIME with the links under the page at the top called SHOPPING LINKS...and I will receive a small compensation for your shopping.
Also, if I have posted a link on a specific garment, and you use that link to go to the website of the brand, but look around and buy something else, I still get credit…though you do not buy what I am wearing.
Please ask any questions… this income helps keep me here, because even at age 70, Mr. B and I need additional income.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who shops this way.
I have never liked Fair Aisle sweaters. It may have something to do with lifestyle and climate here in Southern California. If I were to go to Scotland, Iceland or even some frosty clime in the U.S., I might find them utterly charming. It’s like how attracted I am to cowboy hats when I am in parts of Texas or Wyoming or Montana. I can’t see myself in my local supermarket or on the beach with a cowboy hat on, though.
My first thought…family picture for Christmas card. I have never bought a Fair Isle sweater and do not particularly care for this color pattern. However, I did see some sweaters at Talbots that I do like because of the colors and difference in styles. I do not recall seeing any one in my South Georgia/North Florida area wearing a Fair Isle sweater though we certainly wear sweaters so I think they are associated with colder weather areas. I do like some of the other items from this North Pole Trading Company and would buy or give as gifts.
Thanks for starting us off today, Linlee!
Thanks for joining in, Celia!
I do not care for the style or color of these sweaters so I would never wear one especially the cardigan. I wouldn’t give as a gift either. We don’t have a family gift exchange. Kids get presents from their parents and grandparents. Since I don’t have children my Christmas shopping consists of filling a stocking for my husband, ordering food gifts for his two brothers and finding something special & lovely for my best friend. I think the tradition of decorating ornaments with children or grandchildren is a lovely idea.
Happy Tuesday, Kathie.
I’m not a big Fair Isle fan. Maybe a different color. But no I wouldn’t wear.
Decorating some ornaments together with the kiddos would be fun and give them something to do with Mimi/Papa/Auntie that is special for the season. So much chatting can happen during an activity! I like the Fair Isle style of sweaters in colder weather with jeans but would prefer a different color way. The style accents shoulders in a nice way to balance a pear shape. It looks good with the darker gray body for the men. I would not gift it without it being on someone’s list of desired objects.
I have no issues with Fair Aisle sweaters or dresses. We have chilly winter days when I wish I owned one- I don’t. I seem to gravitate to solid crew neck or V neck sweaters. I like Cashmere or Merino wool. I would gift my 5 year old grand daughter the dress and her twin brother a boys sweater ( if they offer kids sweaters).
While shopping years ago with a friend, she insisted I try a Fair Isle sweater. I didn’t like the pattern and thought they would not look good in me. Was I ever wrong! I wish I still had that sweater, and have since bought a couple at Talbots. I like the ones from Penney’s and glad to see they have no acrylic, which I find unbearably hot.
Just goes to show you that sometimes, we need to step outside that mental box of ‘it won’t look good on me’…
We do have plenty of cold weather here where a cotton patterned sweater is easy to wear.
I would wear it and gift it. The colors are beautiful and joyful. They blend nicely. Fair Isle is having a big fashion moment this year. I do not wear black and brown together so I’d wear it with gray or brown pants or blue jeans. It’s just a happy look and that’s what is one of my personal style objectives. Our closest JC Penny closed and I sure miss it!
I think the JCP sweaters are perfect for a young family, and the budget is more doable, for sure. While they might only provide a one-year wear before outgrowing, I think one could get their money’s worth out of them, and possibly pass them on. The weight is comfortable. I also see a cute family Christmas picture, Celia. I can see young girls wearing these dresses singing at school and church Christmas programs. With a Norwegian ancestry and north plains home, cozy warm sweaters are welcomed by me. I love Scandinavian joyful moving patterns and color. Scottish and Norwegian sweaters are similar. I shy away from the style shown in the JCP family grouping because it broadens my shoulders. Sending a virtual hug, prayers, and a smile, Pam.
I love Linlee’s observations about being drawn toward regional items of dress, but realizing they are not necessarily right for your home region. Perhaps that’s why I don’t dress myself in Mexican folkloric dresses, even though I adore them!! 😊 As to the sweaters on display, SO CUTE! I especially loved seeing the infant version. Yes, I would wear the ladies sweater (already put it in my cart, in fact), since I live in Oregon and this is definitely in my wheelhouse style-wise and color-wise. I would be able to wear it with black or blue jeans, brown, tan, or cream cords or slacks. Add my cream puffy vest, low suede boots, and I could go Christmas tree cutting, meet a friend at a winery and sit out in the tented space with heaters. I also like the scarf, but would never wear it together with the sweater. A bit much for me. I have a couple scarves and sweaters in fair isle, and find them easy to wear and rather fun. Perhaps that’s the Norwegian in me, with memories of my grandmother braiding my hair in criss-cross fashion over my head as a girl. Probably would not gift these unless I knew specifically this was a look the person loved.
Fair Isle sweaters are a classic. That said, getting one with the right colors for you is challenging. I would see them each year, but the colors were never in my palette or the right combination for me. A few years ago, I found one at J.Jill in black, gray, and white after Christmas and on sale. It is perfect for my color palette and wardrobe. I usually wear over a thin layering turtleneck when it is super cold. This is the only one in my wardrobe.
My grandmother knit me a Fair Isle sweater when I was in HS. I wore it for years. When they were revived this year, I thought they looked juvenile. When my girlfriend visited last month with one, I was surprised how good it looked on her. I tried one on in the wrong colors and was surprised, like Susan, that I liked the pattern on me. It was a good match with my face shape. I was in a yarn store with a friend and there were so many different patterns and of course the store was full of luscious colors. Wishing I knit! The mittens and socks would make great stocking stuffers. Fun discussion!
Being of Scandinavian descent I love Fair Isle type sweaters and as a knitter, I appreciate the skill it takes to create this type of sweater. When winter comes, I am delighted to wear mine. I personally think with well chosen colors, they are a classic addition to one’s wardrobe, working with denim as well as neutral slacks or skirts. Boots or booties round out the look. Fair isle accessories are also a good way to incorporate a touch into one’s wardrobe.
I adore these sweaters but because I’m well endowed I would wear a cardigan with the print!!
I am not a fan of Fair Isle sweaters. I don’t really care for the pattern, & most of the items are wool to which I have an allergy. I might buy the scarf as a gift if I knew someone who liked the pattern.
I have several of these sweaters and, depending on the pattern, do enjoy wearing them. I don’t especially care for the ones that “drape” over the shoulders (for lack of a better description), preferring straight designs as opposed to curved. This is probably not making sense, but there are examples of each in the featured display. It’s like with dropped shoulders, same thing, just not a look that I find flattering on myself. I’m a set-in sleeve and straight lines person!
I was looking at sweaters on L.L. Bean’s website earlier today. They always have Fair Isle sweaters. I didn’t even consider them. I prefer a Breton stripe or solid top. My style is more French chic. So, as far as wearing them, I’m in the “no” camp. I do like Scandinavian home decor at Christmas.
I love them. I wear them. I gift them. I make them. Fair Isle transcends trends and fads, and has limitless variations.
I love the Fair Isle print, but something about the rounded yoke design makes them look awful on me. I have finally quit buying them for that reason, but I might be able to wear the cardigan version. I would wear it with a turtleneck in a matching color (the tan would be best on me) and I would wear it with tan or dark denim jeans. That said, I think this is a cute holiday look for a family, probably something my daughter might choose for family photos. Since neutrals are having a moment this fall I think this set might be popular with families who do the matchy photos, but wouldn’t gift any because it’s usually too warm for sweaters here in Texas. I love the new “would you gift this?” spin on your usual Tuesday post. It is helpful to see items not only as something we would wear, but also something we could give someone on our list.
I agree with Pat. I have knitted many in my choices of yarn and color ways. Since I have lived here in southern Colorado, it is not cold enough for warm sweaters. I love the baby one and may buy for my new great granddaughter. The color is wrong for me, so no I would not personally wear or purchase these.
I’m not really a fan of Fair Isle sweaters, but I really like the ivory one here. I think I like more muted and neutral colors as opposed to the bright and bold colors I’ve usually seen on other Fair Isle sweaters. I would wear this sweater with ivory cords and I’ll bet it would be sharp!