Christmas jumper for MIL

[charltonred]

MIL has asked for a knitted winter jumper as her Christmas present, husband usually sorts present but he really has no clue so he’s asked me to help. Tbh I’m struggling too, I have no idea where she shops and she also said she was a size 14 so I’m not really sure what style would suit either. It’s the first Christmas we’ve spent with them so will be there when she opens it on Christmas morning so I want it to be nice and something she likes, scared of picking something that won’t look nice.

Can anyone recommend anything they may have seen lately that could fit the bill?

Everything is acrylic and 4% wool these days, isnt it? The Bruar and Bosie ones look quality. That pure lambswool on Bruar is a bargain.

The white stuff pink jumper is a lovely colour.
But just a word of warning- as a short size 14 person-
Look at the length of the jumper, that looks quite long for someone who is short (do you mean short or just shorter than you?)
Also roll necks don't suit everyone, I think they suit slim tall people best does MIL wear roll necks?
I think you need a swan neck to carry it off.

If she dresses fairly plainly and avoids makeup, she may be sensitive to anything that irritates the skin. I'd avoid mohair content for this reason, anything high necked with a lot of wool content, and anything that's mostly acrylic or polyester because it makes you look a cheapskate (even if the jumper isn't cheap).

So that leaves softer fabrics (cotton, feeling, cashmere) or lower necks. The cowl neck shape in one of the links above is appealing, as a similar non stylish short person.

The Whitestuff one isn't nice and has only a tiny wool content. House of Bruar has plain, classic 100 % wool jumpers for the same price.

I agree about the neck on the pink jumper - does she wear high neck stuff very often? My MIL loves buying me poloneck/roll neck/crew neck jumpers (maybe because I'm always whinging on about being cold 🤣) but I hate anything touching my neck. Even crew necks make me feel like I'm being choked 😬

If there are any pics of her on SM I'd examine the style of tops she usually wears and base my search on the shape of those.

If I wear a high neck in acrylic, it itches like mad. I agree roll necks are risky. Crew or v would be better.

I like this one from white stuff - https://www.marksandspencer.com/funnel-neck-button-detail-jumper/p/clp22602280?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share. The button detail is quite nice for breaking up the shape, the danger of a roll neck with big boobs is it can make them look even bigger (I'm a similar size 14 big boobed individual!).

Or go with something that will feel lovely. Cashmere is always nice. I was in M&S a couple of weeks ago and stroked a couple of jumpers passing en route to the food hall (does anyone else compulsively do that?!) Their cloud yarn and air yarn jumpers are super soft ... this one has a good neckline for the well endowed!

www.marksandspencer.com/cloud-yarn-ribbed-v-neck-split-hem-jumper/p/clp60688200?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I am a polyester snob I guess, but I wouldnt gift anything in polyester or acrylic.

Before buying a jump get DH to check that she can wear wool. I find all wools except cashmere extremely itchy . Another weird thing that happens as you get old Is that high necklines get uncomfortable.

I really like the M&S fake wool ones . They last for years

Does she actually want a Christmassy jumper, or just a nice warm one? I’d certainly check that first.

I am probably in the same age range as your MIL and I would go for a classic look without being dated. The fairisle jumper is really nice and I would definitely wear it myself. The other important thing is which colours she likes.

Im in my seventies and if i asked for a warm winter jumper i would be happy with a fairisle jumper. Lots about at the moment but don’t get a christmas one as i think that could only be worn short term especially as she probably doesn’t buy a lot of clothes.

I couldn’t agree more. I’m rolling my eyes at the prospect of hideous acrylic cowl neck sweaters.

Definitely a cashmere one from M&S. They suit any age groups and have multiple colours. Can be casual or dressed up a bit - and she can change it if its not her style! They also have different necklines so if she has big boobs go for a v neck!

I'm middle-aged, size 16 and probably frumpy, in that your description of her style sounds very like mine. 🤣
For me, it would be important that the jumper is at least hip length, has full length sleeves and isn't wool as I would find that itchy.
I'm not big-busted but have read V necks are good for that shape.
Fairisle is a great, classic pattern.

It really annoys me that there's so little mid-price knitwear in decent fabrics. it seems you can get cashmere or crap, with not much in the middle.

very casual maybe is her style? Jeans, walking shoes long sleeve t shirt style tops.

You've described me!! I like knitwear from Seasalt. I was also going to sugguest the Weird Fish jumper that @comedycentral just did.

Yes but House of Bruar had wool jumpers at the same price as the White Face fire hazard stuff. The White Face one full price was more expensive than House of Bruar and not that much cheaper than Community Clothing's wool jumpers.

I agree with post go to M&S get a jumper size 14 in the price range you want to spend and get a gift receipt. She can then return and get anything she likes. My sister once got me some hideous jumper from fat face I could only choose something else from there, it was the sales just had awful stuff left so ended up with a purse. Can't beat M&S. I am 59!

Love this. Can't justify it but love it!

Lovely, traditionally knitted wool and cashmere jumpers aren't machine washable. If you aren't personally responsible for your dry-cleaner's mortgage payments, you have to hand wash them as if they were newborn fairies, pat them with towels (which you will then have to dry) without twisting, and lay them perfectly flat to finish airing.

M&S merino is machine washable. Not sure about their cashmere.

Good point about getting older and high necklines, too.

I would suggest an afternoon shopping together in Marks and Spencer, followed perhaps by tea?

Then you know exactly what she wants and what will suit and she has something she knows she likes, that she can wear on Xmas Day.

At least, that was the sort of thing I did with my mum x

Lovely yet practical idea op.

I think I would go for a cardigan rather than a jumper, especially if she is a long sleeved t shirt / jeans person. M and S will be your friend again.

Yes true, but some of the Bruar ones are between £39.95 to £59.95 for 100% lambswool. I am buying one.

For that price i am willing to handwash!