The Fair Isle design is named after a small Scottish Island- located near ‘Shetland’ island. Fair Isle sweaters are usually colorful, patterned, and were first made by farmers. In 1922, The Duke of Windsor heard a particular group of Fair Isle farmers were in financial trouble, so he wore one of their sweaters out and about. As planned, Fair Isle sweater sales boosted, and the Fair Isle design became a classic.

Adam Christopher’s post on Fair Isle and other seaside knits here

Chloe Sevigny’s take on Fair Isle here

Fact Credit: Dressing The Man, Alan Flusser, p. 286-287

Image Credit: Burberry sweater featured on prestige-mag.com