Knitwear Trends for Summer 2019: Contrast Colour & Vintage Revival

Welcome to the fifth and final instalment of my series: Summer Knitwear 2019!

In this series I look at the trends in summer knitwear this year and make pattern suggestions for knitters inspired to replicate these looks.

See here for an overview and links for the whole series.

In today’s post, the focus is on the trends of Contrast Colour and Vintage Revival.

Contrast Colour

Contrast colour edges and bands continued to mark sweaters and other knitted garments this season. A variety of cuffs, hems and button bands were highlighted at Burberry, Mary Katrantzou, Prabal Gurung, Gucci and Prada, while Thom Browne and Miu Miu (see above) also added stripes of colour across sleeves.

Blocks of colour were also used as a more dramatic contrast as stripes across the bottoms of sweaters or in an asymmetric design, as shown at Vika Gazinskaya and Issey Miyake.

See more about about this look- and pattern suggestions- at my earlier blog post: New Season Knitwear: On the Edge

Prabal Gurung Spring/Summer 2019 (https://prabalgurung.com/)

Mary Katrantzou Lizzie Stripe Trim Sweater (www.harrods.com)

From left: Prabal Gurung (here), Mary Katrantzou Lizzie Stripe Trim Sweater (here).

Issey Miyake Bloom Fine Knit Cape (www.matchesfashion.com)

Vika Gazinskaya Contrast-hem cable-knit sweater (www.matchesfashion.com)

From left: Issey Miyake Bloom Fine Knit Cape (here), Vika Gazinskaya Contrast hem cable knit sweater (here).

Knitting Inspiration

Nema by Renée Callahan (www.ravelry.com)

259-49 Lang Yarns Amira by LangYarns Switzerland (www.ravelry.com)

Letizia Pullover by Filatura Di Crosa Italia s.r.l. (www.ravelry.com)

Clockwise, from left: Nema by Renée Callahan (here), 259-49 Lang Yarns Amira by LangYarns Switzerland (here), Letizia Pullover by Filatura Di Crosa Italia s.r.l. (here).

Vintage Revival

Although there was no single or predominant vintage revival this season, there were multiple references to the daywear of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. This was particularly apparent in the short, close fitting, knitted tops which offered a contrast to the more common silhouette of the season: oversized, relaxed fit with cropped or extra long lengths.

For example, Altuzarra referenced the late 40s setting of the film Cinema Paradiso in their neat, chequerboard textured top (below), while JoosTricot’s range of fitted, crew neck tops evoked the 1930s, especially when worn tucked into their high waisted flared trousers. Miu Miu also featured a number of 1940s-50s style tops, some with deep rib and collar details (see photo at start of post) and others with pretty bow and button embellishment. 

JoosTricot Breton Short Sleeved Cotton Blend Sweater (www.matchesfashion.com)

Michael Kors Collection Striped ribbed-knit top (www.net-a-porter.com)

Altuzarra Nicoletta Cotton blend sweater (www.net-a-porter.com)

Clockwise, from left: JoosTricot Breton Short Sleeved Cotton Blend Sweater (here), Michael Kors Collection Striped ribbed-knit top (here), Altuzarra Nicoletta Cotton blend sweater (here).

Knitting Inspiration

Lucy Collared Tee by Pamela Wynne (photo copyright Caro Sheridan) (www.ravelry.com)

Tongue Tied by Amy Appel (www.ravelry.com)

Hibiscus by Pam Allen (photo copyright Quince & Co.) (www.ravelry.com)

Clockwise, from left: Lucy Collared Tee by Pamela Wynne (photo copyright Caro Sheridan) (here), Tongue Tied by Amy Appel (here), Hibiscus by Pam Allen (photo copyright Quince & Co.) (here).

Over to you

What do you think of these final two trends of my Spring Summer 2019 series? Have you spotted any other trends I should include? I always love to hear any of your thoughts about knitwear and knitting!