The Knitwear Trends Actually Defining Winter 2026
Earlier this year, we shared our AW26 Knitwear Trend Guide, highlighting the shapes, colours and details we expected to define the season.
Now that winter is in full swing, we can see which trends have really landed.
From bold rugby stripes and brushed cardigans to timeless cable knits, these are the knitwear trends we're actually seeing come through for Winter 2026 — and the pieces we think will stay relevant well beyond this season.
Rugby Shirts & Bold Stripes
The trend that's not going anywhere.
Rugby shirts and bold stripes have been one of the season's strongest casual knitwear trends, and we're expecting their influence to continue into AW27.
Relaxed but considered, they bring colour and character to everyday dressing while still feeling incredibly wearable. Styled simply with denim, tailored trousers or layered over a shirt, they create an elevated look without feeling overdone.
Layering Cardigans
The wardrobe staple that keeps proving its worth.
The cardigan remains an essential part of winter layering. From block colours and brushed yarns to Fair Isle patterns and feminine bow details, there are plenty of ways to make this classic shape feel new.
Having a few go-to cardigans in your wardrobe makes getting dressed considerably easier: wear one on its own, layer it over a T-shirt or roll neck, or add it under a winter coat.
Our Pink Brushed Cardigan has been a particular favourite this season, combining colour with the soft, textured yarns we're seeing everywhere.
Knitted Vests
An easy way to layer without the bulk.
Knitted vests have firmly established themselves as a winter wardrobe staple.
They're the solution when you want to mix layers and textures without adding bulky sleeves, working just as well over a crisp shirt as they do over a simple long-sleeved tee.
In our original trend guide, we called out the Brushed Vest, V-Neck Vest and Sleeveless Roll Neck. All three have proved to be firm favourites.
A knitted vest is also one of those useful transitional pieces that can continue working in your wardrobe as the seasons change.
Ivory Cable Knits
A timeless knitwear trend that continues to deliver.
Crew necks, V-necks and knitted vests in ivory cable stitches are all working particularly well this season.
At Maxted, we believe in learning from the past just as much as we believe in moving things forward. The ivory cable knit is a perfect example: rooted in traditional knitwear but endlessly adaptable to contemporary wardrobes.
Rather than feeling driven by one season, it's the kind of knit you can return to year after year.
We explore the history and longevity of the ivory cable knit — including some of our favourite reference images — in Is This a Forever Trend?.
Cable Knitwear
The Maxted favourite that sells season after season.
Beyond ivory, cable knitwear continues to perform across both neutral and richer colours.
Roll necks, crew necks and knitted vests all work beautifully in cable stitches, bringing texture and interest to even the simplest outfit.
Cable knitwear has always been at the heart of Maxted. Our timeless cable styles remain among our bestsellers, with favourites returning and selling out season after season.
Oversized Pullovers
A knitwear shape with staying power.
Oversized pullovers aren't so much a passing trend as a modern wardrobe constant.
From traditional cables and clean flat stitches to soft, hairy yarns, an oversized silhouette gives different knit textures an easy, relaxed feel.
Wear yours loosely with denim or balance the volume with a more streamlined trouser or skirt. It's uncomplicated winter dressing and always a Maxted favourite.
The Black Mock Neck
Possibly the most versatile knit in your wardrobe.
After a couple of seasons away, the Black Mock Neck is back for 2026.
There's a reason we returned to it. A simple black mock neck works with almost everything: tucked into trousers, worn with denim, layered underneath a cardigan or paired with a winter coat.
Trends may change, but some pieces simply earn their place in a wardrobe. For us, the Black Mock Neck is one of them.
What Winter 2026 Has Taught Us
Looking back at our original AW26 predictions, what's most interesting is that the strongest trends aren't necessarily the most complicated ones.
Texture, layering, strong stripes and timeless silhouettes are what have really landed.
Brushed yarns bring softness and interest. Vests and cardigans make layering easier. Rugby stripes add personality. And traditional cable knits continue to prove that a great piece of knitwear doesn't need to belong to one particular season.
That's ultimately what we're looking for at Maxted: knitwear that feels relevant now, but won't feel irrelevant next winter.
