I love knitwear. It doesn’t love me of course – my record at keeping a seater looking vaguely respectable is two washes tops. But that doesn’t stop me adding sweater after sweater to my spending wishlist. These are my tops picks from the pre-fall 16 collections.

Picture perfect

Preen Line, Gucci, Alice & Olivia

1. Preen Line takes a classic navy cable knit and turns it into a trend piece with the addition of the winged skull.
2. Gucci’s florals and butterflies turn a boyfriend cardigan into a luxe key item that’s cosy as well as cool.
3. Take a simple fine knit tank top by Alice & Olivia, add some folkloric florals and you’ve turned a timeless piece into one that’s very 2016.

Twisted classics

Delpozo, No 21, No 21

4. Powerful texture, the contrast of rich blue and creamy white, and a touch of fringing – none of it sounds particularly new until you see this stunning piece from Delpozo.
5. A tweedy oatmeal knit’s a basic in every knit line but add the cat motif as No21 has done and you’ve got an instant fashion piece (that’s likely to appeal to cat-loving population at the very least).
6. Chop the sleeves off a striped rib knit like No 21 and it becomes an on-trend daywear piece that adds a 70s edge to a faux conservative day dress.

Think differently

McQ, Preen Line, Preen Line

7. You can always rely on McQ for a black and white sweater dress and this time there’s grunge appeal with an open stitch knit, ultra-long sleeves and a maxi length long enough to trip you up if you’re not careful.
8. Traditional cables by Preen Line are made new by mashing up the cut to create casual asymmetry that works with silky floral day dressing as much as it does with jeans.
9. Preen Line’s skinny rib feels fresh and new despite its retro edge. The colour contrasts are kept subtle, but are just enough to emphasis the over-long sleeves and cape effect around the shoulders.