Best Sweaters for Women from &Daughter | How to Wear and Care for Them
No matter how old we are or what life phase we’re in, mid-August always brings up those nostalgic back-to-school feelings when that first cool breeze blows in. This season, we’re excited to announce new and exciting knitwear that has already landed at Hill's Dry Goods Vancouver: &Daughter.
There is a distinct magic to high-grade knitwear - the kind that feels grounded, purposeful, and deeply rooted in heritage. As we lean into fall arrivals and get back in touch with our routines ad ourselves for that matter, we’re drawn to the heritage aesthetic of the highlands and utilitarian countryside sensibility. This season's style centres around rugged refinement: pairing chunky argyles, textured cords, and rich tactile knits and cardigans, which is exactly what &Daughter offers.
The Best Women's Sweaters Have Roots
Whether you are building a timeless countryside wardrobe with heritage labels, seeking a minimalist classic v-neck or bold colours, investing in quality knitwear is one of the smartest wardrobe moves you can make.
&Daughter is the epitome of premium knitwear, and who better to produce it than the Scots? They know a thing or two about wet winters and how to make the best sweaters for women. Some of the best sweaters for fall in Vancouver may actually come from Scotland!
What makes &Daughter the Best Sweaters for Women?
&Daughter works with five yarns and five makers. The yarns are 100% natural and spun in the UK and Ireland, and their makers are based in the UK and Ireland, too. They are believers in the strength of a local supply chain. It allows them to know their partners, who are small, independent businesses just like they are. It allows them to support and be part of a unique and historic industry that dates back hundreds of years. It is this small, self-reliant supply chain that keeps the life cycle of &Daughter garments as economic and environmentally friendly as possible.
We love the community &Daughter has established, but it didn't just start there. Working with yarns and textiles has been in the founder's family for many years. The family legacy dates back to her grandmother and carries through to her father, who sold Donegal tweeds and Arans of his birthplace. We admire the roots &Daughter has and how that heritage and commitment to community lives on.
Family Values
When it comes to the development of the yarn, it’s a true labour of love. Once the baby lambs are sheared, the spinners investigate and identify the longest raw fibre fleece, removing shorter hairs and imperfections before spinning to create the best yarn possible.
Next, the yarn is made through the process of twisting. It is a process that is managed meticulously to ensure there are no inconsistencies. The makers use the traditional knitting technique called “fully fashioning”. This means that each piece of a sweater is knit individually and then linked together and finished by hand! This ensures the garment is as strong as possible and means the sweater is the best quality possible. Hand-finishing every garment requires patience and attention to detail because the finished product is only as great as the individual components that come together to create it.
For &Daughter as a business and finished product, they are only as strong as their weakest link. They take time to nurture every aspect of their supply chain from the lambs, the craftspeople, and the water used to clean the raw fleece. We admire the dedication to maintaining tradition, family heritage, and taking care of the people and supply chain involved at every stage.
How to Style &Daughter Sweaters
&Daughter has designed and produced such beautifully simple sweaters making them easy to wear and style. What we especially love are the bright bold colours that will stand out on a grey Vancouver day. The Ada Crew Neck Cardigan is a perfect example of simplicity at its finest, available in Poppy Red and more colours arriving in-store and online soon. Pair the Ada Crew Cardigan in Poppy Red with a medium to light wash denim and white tee or white button up. We love how the crisp white and cool bright blues are warmed up with that bright and exciting poppy red.
For this look, wear the Batteau Top from Cou Cou, the Citizens of Humanity Palma Straight in Luella or Winslow Boyfriend in Pacifica. This outfit is perfect for a casual weekend breakfast followed by a trip to the farmers market, so pairing it with Adidas Sambas is perfectly reasonable!
A sweater from Scotland wouldn’t be truly Scottish without an argyle pattern. Lucky for us there’s the Ava Argyle Plaid Cardigan in Derby Grey & Red and Navy & Brown as well as the Ava Argyle Crewneck in Pale Pink & Yellow. Both the crewneck and cardigan are versatile enough to be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. We see these pairing up with the Lace Trimmed Cami and Lace Trimmed Skirt from Citizens of Humanity in the Black or Cocoa colouway. This look is going to be on repeat this holiday season. Pairing a cozy heritage sweater with luxurious & delicate lace is a romantic look we can’t wait to don.
Wear the Ava Argyle Crewneck with the Lace Trimmed Skirt or the Nora Corduroy Trouser in Manuka with the Xirena Bowie Shirt and embrace the preppy heritage aesthetic. There’s no better season than fall in Vancouver to adopt a highlands lifestyle and wear &Daughter knits.
The Fabric Breakdown (that won’t break down your fabric)
When evaluating knits and what you should invest in, the composition will tell you everything you need to know about how a piece will drape and wear over time.
Lambswool & Chunky Knits: A Rugged Refinement
For that authentic British countryside feel, nothing beats a heavy-gauge chunky knit sweater crafted from pure lambswool.
What is lambswool? Lambswool is taken from a sheep’s very first shearing (usually when the lamb is under seven months old). The fibers are much softer than wool from mature sheep, which can be itchy as the fiber tips aren’t weathered and worn in. The more structured hand-feel creates structural silhouettes and rich cable-knits.
Quality Control: What Sweaters Are Worth the Investment?
The Stretch & Recovery Test: Gently pull a section of the knit. High-quality natural wool or cashmere will spring right back into shape. If it stays stretched out, the tension is too loose or mixed with synthetic fillers.
The Ply & Weight: Look for 2-ply yarns or higher. Single-ply knits use thinner threads that are significantly more prone to tearing, stretching, and severe pilling.
Fiber Composition: Always check the care tag. Pure 100% natural fibers (wool, cashmere, alpaca, linen) age gracefully and breathe naturally, whereas high percentages of synthetic blends (polyester, acrylic) trap sweat, discolour and pill quickly.
Maintenance & Storage FAQs
How do you stop sweaters from shrinking?
Heat and agitation cause wool fibres to interlock and shrink (a process called felting). Always use cool water, avoid harsh friction, and never put natural wool or cashmere in the dryer. Lay them flat to dry or dry clean if the tag indicates.
How do you remove pilling from sweaters?
Pilling is a natural result of friction on fine fibres- not necessarily a sign of poor quality.
Use a dedicated cashmere comb or a fabric shaver.
Lay the garment flat, gently pull it taut, and gently glide the tool in one direction across affected areas (like under the arms and along the sides).
Should you fold or hang knitwear?
Always fold your knits. Hanging sweaters causes gravity to stretch out the shoulders and hemline, creating permanent "shoulder bumps." Store folded knits in breathable linen bags or cedar chests to naturally deter moths.
How often should you wash a wool sweater?
Wool is naturally dirt- and odor-resistant. Unless you spill something, aim to wash your wool and cashmere garments only 2 to 3 times per season. Between wears, simply spot treat and air them out on a flat surface in a well-ventilated room.
Key Takeaway for the Season
Investing in classic knits like a structural cardigan, a textured chunky knit, or a timeless crewneck gives you endless versatility. By pairing heritage-inspired textures with proper wash and storage techniques, your knitwear collection will look fresh and classic season after season.