Blurred Check Button-Front Shirt Cardigan

Somewhere between a shirt and a jumper, this cardigan buttons all the way up to a pointed collar and still wears like knitwear. The check is brushed soft, so the pattern blurs at its edges instead of sitting sharp against the yarn, and a contrast placket runs the length of the front to keep the line straight. The knit carries some weight without being bulky, closer to a light jacket than a jumper when it is done up to the top.

It works as the middle layer on a cool morning and the outer layer by lunch. Left open over a tee it reads as a cardigan; done up to the neck with the collar out it reads as a shirt, which is what makes it useful when the forecast cannot decide. Deep ribbing at the cuffs and hem holds the relaxed body in shape through the day rather than letting it slouch out.

Alverra cuts it hip-length and easy through the shoulder, so it layers over a thin roll neck or a vest without pulling anywhere. Wear it over a tee with jeans, or under a wool coat once the cold sets in, since the collar is flat enough not to bunch underneath one. Wash it cold on a gentle cycle to keep the brushed surface soft. Our model is 5'7" and wears a size S.

• Fit: Relaxed through the body and shoulder, true to size
• Collar: Pointed shirt collar in a contrast finish
• Closure: Full button front with a contrast placket
• Sleeve: Long sleeve with a deep ribbed cuff
• Fabric: Soft brushed knit with a blurred check pattern
• Length: Hip-length with a ribbed hem
• Sizes and colours: S to 2XL in blue, red, green, brown, pink, orange and purple