Earlier this week, Kate Middleton shared a video of herself decorating a Christmas tree ahead of her second annual Royal Carols: Together at Christmas concert. In light of the season, the Princess of Wales dressed festively, donning a Fair Isle turtleneck sweater while adding ornaments to the towering tree.
The Fair Isle sweater, recognizable by its familiar geometric patterns in limited palettes, has long been a favorite of the royal family. The style first gained notoriety in the 1920s, when Edward VIII (who later became the Duke of Windsor) wore his in public. In one of Princess Diana's early photos, she sported a Fair Isle cardigan while walking to her apartment. Even Princess Charlotte wore a little yellow Fair Isle sweater in her second birthday photos.
While the Fair Isle sweater was popularized in no small part due to the royals, the style's origins stem from a community north of England. Fair Isle is an actual island, fairly isolated north of Scotland in the Shetland archipelago. There, the design began in the early 19th Century as a pattern for fishermen's caps and sweaters.
According to the BBC, "Fair Isle has since been adopted as a general term for multicolored knitwear, but there are still small numbers of garments produced on the island from patterns which have been handed down through generations."
Now, the locale, which remains one of Britain’s most remote inhabited islands, has a population of just 55 permanent residents. While there are still a few sweater producers on the island—the much lusted-after Mati Ventrillon for one—it can take three years to get off the waiting lists for one of these hand-made sweaters.
While Kate's exact knit is sold out, luckily, many designers have drawn inspiration from Fair Isle's patterns and created more easily accessible versions of the iconic sweaters. Keep scrolling to see our favorite Fair Isle sweaters for all of your festive needs.
Vineyard Vines Nordic Fair Isle Turtleneck Sweater
Make like Kate and go for a cozy cream turtleneck.
Alex Mill Fair Isle Donegal Turtleneck
Make Fair Isle neutral with these autumnal hues.
Banana Republic Skye Fair Isle Sweater
This take on the Fair Isle is intentionally oversized, making it extra cozy.
Tory Burch Merino Fair Isle Sweater
Take Fair Isle to the slopes with this sunny Tory Burch turtleneck iteration.
J.Crew offers the print in cardigan form.
This pink Fair Isle is positively cheerful.
This vibrant number is perfect for the holiday season.
KHAITE Denali Fair Isle Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
Perfect for the festive season and beyond.
L.L.Bean Women's Cotton Ragg Sweater, Funnelneck Pullover Fair Isle
The most classic of the Fair Isle sweaters? Hands down, an L.L. Bean crewneck.
