How to Choose the Perfect Fit Knitwear
Choosing the perfect fit isn’t always as easy as it seems, especially when it comes to knitwear. It’s a very personal choice, one that reflects more how we want to feel than that which we truly are. Whether you love the feeling of wool directly against the skin or if you prefer a garment that truly envelopes the body, we have the perfect piece for you.
Choosing the Perfect Size
Some of us love a neat, classic fit, while others want a knit that truly envelops the body. You might prefer your favourite cardigan slightly oversized so you can layer it throughout winter, or choose a more
fitted sweater to wear directly against the skin.
At IrelandsEye, we design our knitwear with both comfort and silhouette in mind. So, when choosing your perfect size, there are a few things worth considering.
Start With Your Regular Size
Your usual size is generally the best place to start.
Our knitwear is designed with the intended fit of each individual garment in mind. That means a relaxed sweater will already have more ease through the body, while a slimmer-fitting cardigan will naturally sit closer to the skin.
Choosing your regular size should give you the fit closest to how our designers intended the piece to be worn. From there, think about how you would like to wear it.
Think About the Fit You Love
The beauty of knitwear is its versatility. Choosing a size isn’t only about whether something technically fits; it’s also about creating the silhouette that makes you feel most comfortable.
If you love a classic fit, we recommend beginning with your regular size. For something a little more relaxed and slouchy, consider going up one size. And with some of our chunkier styles, moving up one or even two sizes can create a beautifully oversized silhouette.
Take our iconic Roundstone Sweater. Its heavier wool and cashmere yarn gives the garment a beautiful drape that lends itself particularly well to an oversized fit. Choose your regular size for the truest
fit, or go up one or two sizes for a more oversized look.
The perfect size is ultimately the one that gives you the feeling and silhouette you want.
Consider the Shape of the Garment
Not all knitwear is designed to fit in the same way.
A cropped cardigan, classic crew neck and oversized sweater will each sit differently on the body, even when you choose the same size.
Before sizing up or down, take a moment to consider the intended shape of the garment. Look at where the shoulder sits, the length through the body and sleeves, and whether the overall silhouette is described as fitted, classic, relaxed or oversized.
Our product imagery can also help you understand the proportions of a piece and how the garment is intended to sit on the body.
Remember That Different Yarns Behave Differently
The yarn itself can also influence the way knitwear fits and feels.
Our 100% Merino wool, for example, has a strong natural elasticity. This means a Merino garment can sometimes feel slightly snug on its first wear but will gently loosen over time to reveal a more relaxed fit. For pieces such as our Clover Cropped Aran Cardigan, we recommend choosing your regular size for the best fit or going up one size for a more slouchy look.
Our heavier wool and cashmere blend has a beautiful weight and drape, making it particularly suited to relaxed and oversized silhouettes.
Our lightweight blend of recycled wool, virgin wool and recycled cashmere creates softer, lighter and more flowing garments with a slimmer fit. Pieces such as the Cassia Cardigan are very true to size and look best when you choose your normal size.
If you’d like to understand more about how each of our yarns feels and behaves, read our guide to the materials we use in our knitwear.
Use Our Size Guide
If you’re unsure where to begin, our size guide is there to help.
Rather than relying solely on the size you usually buy, compare your measurements with the measurements provided in our guide. This can be particularly useful if you are between sizes or if you are considering sizing up to achieve a more relaxed fit.
We take 3 main measurements, width from 2cm below armhole, length from highest point of the shoulder and centre back neck label (CB) to cuff.
Our women’s knitwear is available in sizes from XS to XXL and our men’s knitwear from S to XXXL.
Try Our AI Size Guide
For a little extra guidance, you can also use our AI size guide when choosing your knitwear.
It is designed to help take some of the uncertainty out of shopping online and give you additional guidance when deciding which size may suit you best.
Think of it as another tool to use alongside our traditional size guide, the individual garment details and your own preference for how you like your knitwear to fit.
Check Out Our Customer Reviews
Sometimes the most useful sizing advice comes from someone who has already worn the piece.
Customer reviews can give you another perspective on the fit of a particular garment and help you decide whether to stay true to size or choose something a little more relaxed.
When reading reviews, look for comments about fit, length and overall feel, particularly from customers who mention their usual size or how they wanted the garment to sit.
Finding Your Perfect Fit
Ultimately, there is no single rule for finding the perfect size knitwear.
Start with your regular size, consider the intended shape and yarn of the garment, and then think about how you want to feel when you wear it. Use our size guide, AI sizing tool and customer reviews for some extra reassurance along the way.
Whether you love the feeling of soft wool directly against the skin or prefer a garment that truly envelops the body, the perfect fit is the one that feels right for you.
We're always just a message away, contact info@ieknit.com if you have any queries or need an extra bit of help to choose your perfect fit.
