Seven knitters show us how they style balaclavas
WORDS BY MARY-ANN MCCALL
Rugged up.
Lately, staying warm feels impossible. As someone who was born in sunny Perth, I’d rather be rugged up and sitting by the heater with a hot choccie in hand than bracing Melbourne’s freezing conditions. But as leaving the house is an inevitability, it pays to have a winter wardrobe that can protect you from the elements (ideally while still looking cute).
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This is where the balaclava comes in. What feels like a new winter accessory to me – it’s certainly having a moment of late – the balaclava has long been essential for cold climates, whether it be holidaying in Europe or a trip to Mt Buller. These days, you’re just as likely to see one atop the head of your most well-dressed friend as you are on the ski slopes. In search of some styling advice, I asked seven knitters to show me how they style their go-to balaclava.
Allie Buckley, founder of Itchy Knits
My fave balaclava is the Sulphur Balaclava, which I knitted last winter. It was my first time making a chunky rib balaclava on circular needles. I’m super happy with the result. My hot tip for wearing a balaclava is holding your breath, taking the plunge and inserting your whole head into the balaclava with your hair (if it’s long) tucked behind your ears.
Then what you’re gonna want to do is pull out some of your (curtain) bangs to assert dominance over the balaclava. You are wearing it, it is not wearing you! I like to style a balaclava (especially a bright brat-coded one as pictured) with something quite paired back, like a T-shirt or a plainer colour to balance things out. If you can, match the balaclava to the colour of your eyes.
Genevieve Cam, founder of Ge.Label
My favourite accessory when I want to look stylish and warm and put in minimal effort is a balaclava! Balaclavas are surprisingly easy to style. They’re perfect to layer with and no HMUA is needed. I love wearing one with an oversized coat or bomber jacket and leather gloves when I’m on the go.
Balaclavas are the new winter beanie, so don’t be scared to experiment. I’d recommend the Ge.Label fleece balaclava if you want to look mysterious and iconic. If you’d prefer to show some face I’ve also created a hood-style balaclava. It keeps your neck super warm and can be pulled up or down for a dramatic reveal.
Nat Robb, founder of Amélie Knits
My favourite balaclava is our classic Amélie balaclava made from New Zealand mohair. It’s a hug on your head and adds a bit of playfulness to your outfit. I usually pair mine with a coat and oversized sunglasses, but it also makes a great statement piece with a boob tube/singlet and pants. It’s a bold accessory that is both practical and warm and guarantees you to be showered in compliments all day.
Grace Minchinton, founder of Stingray Time
This balaclava is one of my favourite pieces of wearable art, with clusters of little shelf fungi growing out of the head, trailed by green fuzzy moss. I studied environmental science in my undergrad and have a deep-rooted fascination with plants and fungi, however, the initial idea for the balaclava sprung into my head after watching The Last of Us. In this series, the fungi turn people into zombies, however, in my piece, I wanted to show a symbiotic relationship between the fungi and the host/wearer.
Fungi are such important facets of many ecosystems: they eat biomass and turn it into soil, they connect plants through a mycelial network and they provide food for animals. My piece aims to pay homage to the wonders of the oft-forgotten fungi, reminding people of their presence and thanking them for their role in nature.
Selin Bailey, founder of Selin Forever
My favourite balaclava is this crochet design with a scarf. I haven’t stopped wearing these since I first designed them earlier this year and I can’t stop making them either! I’m loving the dusty blue at the moment, paired with a faux fur jacket, tiny shorts, lacey tights and whatever boots I feel like that day.
Balaclavas are so versatile. I love wearing them with a high-neck top, maxi skirt and sunnies too to get that movie star look. The crochet gives such a vintage feel to the outfit – if only I had an old Chevy to drive off into the sunset then the outfit would be complete!
Gem and Maddie, founders of Small Boy Knits
Maddie and Gem: Our current favourite balaclava is our Small Boy hood scarfs! They’re super versatile and can be a scarf/hood/balaclava/all of the above depending on how you wear it.
M: I love to wear our hood scarf wrapped up tight with heaps of layers. I like to feel a little anonymous in the winter so I love to pair it with bulkier layers like my Schotts bomber jacket, Miista boots and my super big leather tote.
G: I love wearing our hood scarfs all year round but winter is my favourite time of year to style them. I like pairing knitwear with likewise materials which makes me feel texturally complete – wool pants and jackets, layered cotton and anything else I can wrap up in.
For more on styling knitted balaclavas, head here.
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