As the autumn winds roll in off the Orkney coast, our thoughts turn to the comforting embrace of knitwear – and this season, the fashion world is abuzz with fresh takes on cosy classics. Top style authorities from Vogue to WGSN have forecasted an Autumn/Winter 2025 rich in texture, pattern and heritage charm.
We’re also all becoming more mindful of our materials, with a new wave of eco-friendly knitwear brands gaining prominence – a value close to Hume Sweet Hume’s heart. Last year encouraged us to be bold with how we layer and style our knits, and that creative spirit continues into 2025.
1. Oversized and Relaxed Knits for Cosy Comfort
When it comes to knitwear in 2025, the prevailing wisdom is bigger is better. On the runways, designers traded slim-fit jumpers for enveloping silhouettes – Missoni even layered three gigantic cardigans in a single look to prove that more is more.
From Stella McCartney to Burberry, oversized, chunky knits are big this season (literally), offering both warmth and a style statement. It’s a trend that feels perfectly at home in Orkney:think of wrapping up in a hearty fisherman’s jumper or layering jumpers, scarves and hats on a brisk coastal morning. 
Though we don’t create knits quite as oversized as you’ll see on the catwalk, Hume Sweet Hume designs capture the spirit of the trend in a way that stays true to our aesthetic. Generous but not overwhelming, our boxy pullovers and relaxed ponchos are ideal for layering through autumn and winter (and sometimes even the summer when you live on an island.) They add shape and ease without losing that refined simplicity we love — knitwear that honours tradition while feeling perfectly of the moment.
2. Wrap & Layer: Dramatic Draping with Scarves and Ponchos
Nothing looks as luxuriously cosy as being swathed in layers of soft knit, and this season’s styling proves it. The art of draping – shown off last year with oversized scarves and doubled-up knits – continues to reign in AW25.
Designers across the globe sent models out wrapped in vast quantities of wool and cashmere, from giant blanket-scarves to cape-like ponchos, creating dramatic silhouettes.
Capes and ponchos are everywhere, often paired with more knits, like scarves for maximum impact. It’s all about creative layering: a sweater casually thrown over the shoulders here, a knitted wrap draped asymmetrically there. 
For us at Hume Sweet Hume, this trend is second nature. Our handcrafted ponchos and wraps are practically made for layering – try tossing a Westray-inspired wool wrap around your shoulders, or layering one of our oversized snoods atop a jumper for that chic “swaddled” look. Not only does this capture the glamour of the runways, it’s also wonderfully practical on a blustery Orkney day. After all, nothing says understated luxury like being cocooned in soft, locally-spun knitwear.
3. Heritage Patterns and Craft-led Nostalgia
Traditional knit patterns are having a joyful resurgence. Fashion pundits have even dubbed it “grandpa chic,” with argyle and other vintage motifs styled in fresh, quirky ways (think layered over crisp striped shirts or clashed with modern vinyl trousers).
It’s not just argyle, either. Time-honoured patterns like Fair Isle knits have also popped up on the runways as a micro-trend within the wider sweater revival – a nod to our own northern isles’ knitting heritage.
For a brand born in Orkney, this trend feels like coming home. Hume Sweet Hume’s designs draw on our Nordic heritage, with bands of Fair Isle–inspired patterning carefully placed across ponchos and jumpers. Rather than traditional yokes, we use these motifs in a more contemporary, understated way — creating pieces that nod to tradition while feeling modern and versatile. Wearing one of our knits isn’t just keeping up with a trend; it’s carrying forward the story and craft of island knitwear in a way that suits today’s style.
Another one of this season’s most endearing trends is what British Vogue calls “craft-led nostalgia,” essentially knitwear that looks lovingly homemade.
For Hume Sweet Hume, this trend speaks to our soul. We’ve always believed in the value of craftsmanship and pieces that tell a story. Our knitwear is literally craft-led – each item inspired by Orkney’s landscape and knitted with care.
The woolly wraps and cardigans we make have a timeless, handmade quality – you can sense the generations of tradition behind a Fair Isle pattern or a hearty rib knit.
To embrace the homespun trend, you could style one of our signature jumpers with a flowing skirt and boots for that modern cottagecore look, or mix a patchwork-patterned throw over your sofa for home décor flair. Each HSH piece carries a bit of that great-aunt energy (the cool, story-filled great-aunt who taught you to knit by the peat fire). It’s heritage you can wear, and in 2025, it doesn’t get more fashionable than that.
4. Coordinated Knit Sets (Matchy-Matchy Moments)
There’s something irresistibly chic about a head-to-toe knit ensemble – it’s an instant outfit with maximum impact. Style experts are noting that matching knitted sets are a key trend for AW2025, as they create a polished look without the fuss.
Whether it’s a classic twinset (cardigan over a shell), a jumper paired with a knitted skirt, or even coordinating knit trousers and top, co-ords are an easy way to look put-together and intentional.
How can you channel this with Hume Sweet Hume pieces? Consider pairing items in the same yarn or colour for a harmonious look. For example, choose a scarf and wrist warmer set in matching wool, or a hat and snood in the same hue and knit pattern – suddenly you’ve got a little knitwear “suit” of your own. 
We craft many of our accessories in coordinating colour palettes, making it easy to find your perfect match.
5. Rich Autumnal Hues (Burgundy Leads the Way)
Colour-wise, Autumn/Winter 2025 is painting the town warm. After seasons of muted “quiet luxury” tones, we’re seeing a swing towards rich, expressive colours in knitwear.
Foremost among them is burgundy – a deep, wine-red hue that has been dominating since last year and shows no sign of fading.
Hume Sweet Hume’s collection naturally aligns with these hues – after all, our inspiration comes from Orkney’s land and sea, which give us bountiful autumn colours. Think of the heathered purple of moorland blooms or the warm rust of an Orkney sunset; these shades find their way into our yarns. To tap into the berry tones craze, you might pick up our Hibiscus snood or jumper, a bright take on the berry tones of this season and wrapping yourself in a colour that’s both on-trend and timelessly elegant. 
Autumn/Winter 2025’s knitwear trends manage to feel both exciting and familiar – much like Hume Sweet Hume’s ethos of timeless craft with a contemporary wink.
Here in our Orkney workshop, we’ll continue crafting pieces that are both of-the-moment and made to last a lifetime. After all, true style (much like a well-knitted jumper) is built to weather the seasons.
