Johnstons Of Elgin’s Winter Layers Deliver Warmth And Dimension
Let the storied Scotland-based accessories brand be your go-to for luxurious, cold-weather accessories. By FEDORA ABU
Come the colder months, there’s no greater joy than cocooning yourself in layers upon layers of plush knitwear – even more so when they come spun from the most sought-after natural fibers on the planet (think merino wool, cashmere and vicuna). It’s of little surprise, then, that this time of year we’re especially drawn to the latest collection from Johnstons of Elgin, which is comprised of sophisticated and sustainably minded pieces that exude warmth and texture, and which make the prospect of plummeting temperatures far less daunting.
Even among a plethora of heritage brands, Johnstons of Elgin occupies a rare place in the conversation. Founded in 1797 in northeast Scotland, the knitwear house has evolved for the modern era without capitulating to trends or compromising on its values – and in doing so it’s cultivated a loyal and discerning clientele (not least the British royal family) who rely on it for investment pieces crafted from best-in-class fabrics.
Today, more than 200 years since its inception, Johnstons of Elgin continues to manufacture all its garments in its homeland, giving it an unparalleled level of control over every step of production. Most notably, it presides over its own mills, including its Elgin vertical mill, where raw, responsibly sourced fibers (such as its cashmere wool from Mongolia) are transformed into finished products under one roof. All that said, while the brand’s heritage and its traditional, time-honored techniques have been intentionally preserved, its pieces are anything but fusty. Rather, shoppers have come to expect sleek, luxurious knits in wear-with-everything hues – soft creams, gray marls and charcoals – that slot into a contemporary wardrobe with ease and look just as at home in more metropolitan settings as they do in the Highlands.
“Expect sleek, luxurious knits in wear-with-everything hues – soft creams, gray marls and charcoals – that slot into a contemporary wardrobe with ease
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That level of thoughtfulness and precision trickles all the way down to their accessories. If anything, it’s these smaller, easily interchangeable pieces – the sort that create dimension and add visual intrigue to our everyday outfits – that we’re most excited to dive into this season. Case in point: their cream waffle-stitch hood spun from pure cashmere. Something of a hybrid between a scarf and a beanie, it delivers unmatched coziness and creates an unexpectedly cool silhouette when layered over your chicest coats, sweaters and cardigans. Elsewhere, their gloves are spun from the same softer-than-soft material – opt for their fingerless style if you’re the type who’s constantly tapping out emails on the go. Or slip into their gauzy cashmere neck-tie scarf, which arrives in the triangle shape of the season and will lend Parisian polish to whatever you’re wearing underneath.
While coats and jackets typically take up the most real estate in our closets and are often the investment pieces we devote the most attention to, it’s really through the art of layering with thoughtful and functional additions, such as those by Johnstons of Elgin, that makes fall-winter outfits so much more thrilling to put together and interesting to look at than those of any other season.