Trend Tracking: Cold Weather Knits

By Suzanne Singer
October 8, 2010

Cold Weather Accessories

Jill Stuart (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz); Anna Sui (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG); Michael Kors (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

Now that Fall is in full swing, it’s time to pull out the warm layers in preparation for the coming cooler weather. Knit scarves, hats and gloves are the perfect transition pieces—they signal the season but look equally right with a lightweight leather or denim jacket as with a heavy winter coat.

Designers interpreted knit accessories according to their own signature styles: Anna Sui showed fair-isle printed hats and fingerless gloves as well as striped hats and scarves mixed with her girly-hippie-hybrid looks. Michael Kors went his usual classic chic, with knit hats and fingerless gloves worn with complete knit outfits all in one shade. Tracy Reese dressed her models in her signature feminine printed frocks topped off with knit collars and super chunky knit scarves . And Jill Stuart belted super-long scarves at the waist and paired them with matching knit hats and bright hooded jackets and mixed casual slouchy knit hats with a velvet evening dress.

On eBay, total sales of search words like gloves, mittens, beanies, skull caps, ski hats and pashmina scarves rose only about 1-2 percent in the past month vs. the previous month, but they'll no doubt keep climbing as temperatures continue to drop. Here are some of our favorite picks for the season.

Roll over items for details

Long Fingerless Gloves

Extra-Long Scarf

Long Knit Gloves

1. Baggie Beanie Hat

A slouchy hat like this has double duty: Pair it with your fave floral slip dress and cardigan a la ‘90s Grunge or wear it inside or out to dress down a more formal look. (New Baggy Oversized Slouchy Beanie; buy it now price, $7.97)

2. Rugby Stripe Scarf

Channel a classic menswear look with this striped wool scarf; wear it with a boy blazer, jeans and high heeled lace-up chunky boots. (New Rugby Scarf; buy it now price, $36)

3. Infinity Scarf

Get a circular scarf like this in an inky blue-purple color to wrap around your neck for a flawless cozy and warm look. (New Cashmere Knit Infinity Scarf; buy it now price, $137)

4. Cable Knit Mittens

Who knew you could go back in time with a purchase? Hand knit mittens like this pair will do just that. (New Cable Knit Mittens; buy it now price, $6)

5. Striped Beanie

Who can resist a neutral colored striped beanie? A chic option in an oh so subtle way. (Beanie Stripe Hat; buy it now price, $6.99)

6. Slouchy Beret

The interesting bee-hive shape and slouch on this knit beret coupled with the camel color keeps it modern and so on-trend for the season. (New Hand-Knit Slouchy Beret; buy it now price, $20)

7. White Knit Gloves

A pair of gloves in winter white will go with anything. The gold hardware gives these an extra-elegant oomph. (New Knit Gloves; buy it now price, $18.20)

8. Fair Isle Scarf

A colorful yet not flashy fair-isle printed scarf lends a trendy Scandinavian vibe. (New Fair Isle Scarf; buy it now price, $48)

9. Knit Pom-Pom Hat Hat

Definitely for someone who is young at heart! This knit hat topped with a pom-pom is reminiscent of a young style but the solid colors keep it more mature yet still fun. (New Knit Hat with Pom Pom; buy it now price, $16.99)

10. Long Knit Gloves

Wear a three-quarter length top or coat with a long knit glove to show off a great flash of color and keep your arms warm at the same time. (Long Knit Gloves; buy it now price, $9.99)

11. Long Fingerless Gloves

A major trend winner for the season, the fingerless glove was shown in countless designer collections and is all over eBay, where listings are up 28 percent and sales are up 44 percent in the past 30 days vs. the prior 30 day period. Pick a pair with an interesting detail, like the color blocking on these. (New Long Fingerless Gloves; buy it now price, $6.99)

12. Extra-Long Scarf

This super-long scarf can be a harder style to pull off. Wrap around the neck a few times to make it shorter or show off the length and let it hang long. (Extra-Long Hand Knit Scarf; buy it now price, $40)

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