OUR TOP 5 TRANSITIONAL KNITS – AND WHY THEY'LL WORK HARD IN YOUR WARDROBE

Abercrombie & Fitch knitted mock neck jumper in cream, £65

First, you’ll need something breathable. We’ll get into the yarn knitty-gritty later – for now, you’ll need to look at the weave. When the weather is changeable, it’s best to wear knits that let air circulate instead of trapping and insulating it – that’s more of a winter thing. The easiest buy is a loose, light knit in an open or waffle pattern. This means that you can see a tiny gap in between the stitches. Besides breathability, these jumpers have other benefits – they can add interest and texture to your outfit with no extra effort, and styling them over contrasting tops can result in a cool, layered effect. Abercrombie & Fitch's style is elevated with a relaxed fit and rolled edges.

AllSaints Staged embroidered graphic logo knit cardigan in black/ecru, £179

The cardigan is the ultimate in transitional knitwear thanks to its versatility – it can be worn open or buttoned up, layered under a jacket or over a thinner knit. Believe it or not, the cardigan was originally a battle garment. Perhaps its ability to adapt is a testament to that. The right cardigan can just as easily be worn with tailoring as a tee. Take AllSaints’ cardi, for example. While the tattoo-inspired motifs and artfully laddered details speak to the brand’s east London roots, the black shade and classic shape give it a Mayfair feel.

Polo Ralph Lauren icon logo cotton knit polo jumper in grey marl, £185

Cotton! What a concept. While this fibre is most likely to be found in your everyday tees, shirts and jeans, it makes a welcome appearance in knitwear come early autumn. Cotton is a hero in the fabric field. It feels soft, lets air pass through and absorbs moisture. It usually washes well too. Treated with the right care, a cotton jumper will last and last – so if you’re going to invest, it should be something you’ll be happy to wear for years to come. You can’t get more classic than grey marl or more iconic than Polo Ralph Lauren. The collegiate polo collar bumps it a notch higher in the style stakes than the average crew neck. And, because it’s so lightweight, you can layer another jumper over it come winter.

The North Face Glacier 1/4 zip fleece in green print, £65

Autumn weather and country hikes are a perfect pairing – right up there in the rankings with Batman & Robin or cheese and wine. Once the leaves change colour, the countryside rarely looks better or feels so crisp underfoot. In this circumstance, your previous knits aren’t going to do the job – you’ll need a functional layer that works hard too. The North Face’s quarter-zip fleece is strong enough to stand up to a stiff breeze, plus it repels water from light showers. The oak leaf print is inspired by trees at California’s Yosemite National Park. And this goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway – it looks equally at home in the city.

Lyle & Scott Mid knits merino crew neck jumper in w976 fairway burgundy, £100

You’d be forgiven for thinking that merino wool isn't welcome at the transitional knit table, but think of it as a supercharged cotton – it’s a natural fibre, plus it’s soft and breathable. Merino wool is a powerful transitional fabric because it’s essentially a thermostat for your body, releasing heat when you feel too warm. Oh, and it’s odour-resistant too. That’s why you’ll find so much of the stuff in high-grade athletic gear. Lyle & Scott’s crew neck jumper is 100% merino wool, plus it’s dyed an autumn-appropriate berry shade.