Style Bee - Bare Knitwear

COLD WEATHER CLOSET HEROES

09.25.19

Facing the fall and *shudder* winter in Ontario is never easy once the real cold weather arrives but with a small selection of quality knitwear it becomes a lot more approachable!

Today I’m so pleased to be sharing a deeper look at one of my favourite Canadian knitwear brands, Bare Knitwear. I’m excited to explore a few styles that I believe hit all the marks for quality, design, versatility, easy maintenance and longevity, which are key for any significant closet investment. I don’t add new knitwear with one season in mind, I add it with years in mind!

If Bare Knitwear is new to you I’m sharing more about this brand below and if not, then I hope you’re ready to take a closer look at this season’s stunning collection!

I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the following items:

  • CLASSIC CREWNECK (pre-order info + see how I’m wearing mine )
  • FINE GAUGE BEANIE (three ways to style it)
  • BABY ALPACA COAT (with a side-by-side Capote Coat comparison)

BARE KNITWEAR IS OFFERING 10% OFF ALL ORDERS WITH ‘STYLEBEE10’*


*Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was produced in partnership with Bare Knitwear and Style Bee earns a commission on all sales made using the exclusive reader discount code (at no additional cost to customers). The Style Bee reader discount is valid through October 9th. Enter code at checkout. More details below.



ABOUT BARE KNITWEAR


In case, Bare Knitwear is new to you, I’ll share a brief background on the brand. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Bare Knitwear’s designer and founder, Kelsey Adair, over the last 4 years we’ve been collaborating. It’s been incredible to see how Kelsey’s passion for combining heritage artisanship with modern design has led to a business model that helps to remove employment barriers for women within rural communities in Peru.

Bare Knitwear is committed to sustainable sourcing, preserving traditional craft and empowering women in the Huamanga region with opportunities beyond basic employment. Read the latest featured artisan, Olga, who has used her skills and time working with Bare Knitwear to carve out new opportunities for her career and family.

Considerable skill is required to create Bare Knitwear garments and each piece takes between 5 and 13 hours to complete. In the height of production season between 150-300 Peruvian artisans are employed at the studio. By using hand operated manual knitting looms and traditional hand knitting techniques, these women earn a steady income from their craft.

When you invest in a piece from this line you’re investing in so much more than just a thoughtful closet.


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THE CLASSIC CREWNECK

Limited Pre-Order Now Open For Tobacco

USE STYLEBEE10 FOR 10% OFF


Style Bee - Bare Knitwear
Style Bee - Bare Knitwear

I allllmost ordered this sweater in another colour last winter but my size sold out so I waited to see what was coming for fall. Serendipitously, Kelsey and I got to chatting about a fall collaboration and I was able to test out this gorgeous new tobacco colour! It’s such a delicious caramel brown with just a hint of smokiness and amber to make it a true tobacco.

Right now I’m pairing the classic crewneck with jeans or my silk Florence pant, my woven Paris mules, a neutral bag and a few minimal cold accessories. I dare say it’s the perfect fall look!

To help anyone interested in this piece I answered the questions I get asked most when it comes to my sweaters.

Does it shed or pill? In my experience, compared to wool or cashmere, alpaca knits pill less and don’t shed nearly as much. Bare Knitwear’s has tested lots of custom spun blends and landed on a ratio of 93% baby alpaca and 7% polyamide, which helps a lot with abrasion resistance.

How warm is it? Alpaca fibres are hollow with an insulating core that makes them both warm and breathable. This is why it’s great for a wide range of climates and makes for a perfect layering piece because it helps to regulate your temperature and keeps you super cozy without overheating.

Is it itchy? I can’t wear wool (unless it’s boiled) directly against my skin but this baby alpaca sweater is supremely soft and doesn’t bother me at all. It’s easily as soft as any cashmere in my closet but more breathable at the same time. Alpaca contains no lanolin and is hypoallergenic, which makes it great for sensitive skin. Plus, the fibres soften in the wash!

Will it stretch out? I wore my Bare Knitwear chunky turtleneck sweater from last year (see it here) for a least two weeks straight and it didn’t loose it’s shape at all. This sweater is made from the same fibre blend (93% baby alpaca / 7% polyamide) so I would predict the same level of shape resilience. That said, it is best to store your knits folded instead of using a hanger.

Do I have to dry clean it? Nope! Hand wash cool lay flat to dry. This fibre softens with each wash and washes beautifully. Learn more about my knitwear care philosophy here.

Favourite design details? I love the shape of the balloon sleeves that start with a drop seam shoulder and end with a deep ribbed cuff. I also think the minimal ribbed hem is perfect for wearing tucked in or out. So many sweaters have a deep hem that can be bulky. Lastly, I really like the thick ribbed collar because it’s super soft and cozy!



MORE DETAILS

  • Available in 3 colours: Tobacco (pre-order), Charcoal (XS/S pre-order) and Black (in stock)
  • Sizes: XS/S fits up to size US 8 and M/L fits up to US size 14. It’s quite roomy. I’m wearing the XS/S and I’m 5’7 and about 125 lbs for reference.
  • Price: $358 CAD $322.20 CAD with ‘STYLEBEE10’ through October 9th. It’s an investment purchase but if you’re in the market for a timeless crewneck sweater I really don’t think you can find one made with more care and consideration!

SHOP THE CLASSIC CREW HERE

Use STYLEBEE10 for 10% OFF

Tobacco and Charcoal pre-orders will ship the first week of November, just in time for the holidays! Stock is super limited and Bare Knitwear is giving Style Bee readers first dibs on the small quantity available so don’t doddle if you’d love one!


OTHER WAYS I’M WEARING THE CLASSIC CREWNECK


THE FINE GAUGE BEANIE

Limited Pre-Order Now Open For Wheat & Black

USE STYLEBEE10 FOR 10% OFF


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I had the pleasure of adding my first piece from Bare Knitwear 4 years ago, which was the chunky knit Mitch Hat (seen here), and it’s still one of my favourite winter beanies. I live in toques during the winter and have long been lusting after a fine gauge beanie to add to my collection. Since I work from home and our place is old, I wear them all day to keep extra toasty at my desk.

The double layer of 100% superfine baby alpaca makes them so cozy without being heavy or too tight on the hair. I also really like the design of this beanie because you can style it a few different ways depending on the look you’re going for!

Wheat is the colour I’d been searching for in a beanie forever and it’s the perfect warm neutral that goes with any coat, scarf, hair colour or complexion. I know this little gem will be earning its keep all season long!

Bare Knitwear beanies make a perfect gift for the outdoorsy folks in your life and will be a guaranteed cold weather treasure for years to come.



DETAILS

  • PRICE: $89 CAD ($80.10 CAD with ‘STYLEBEE10’ through October 9th)
  • 4 COLOURS: Navy, Light Grey, Black & Wheat (both available for pre-order, shipping the first week of November)
  • SIZE: One size
  • MATERIALS: 100% superfine baby alpaca
  • CARE: Hand wash cool lay flat to dry.

SHOP THE FINE GAUGE BEANIE HERE

Use STYLEBEE10 for 10% OFF

Wheat and Black beanie pre-orders will ship the first week of November. Stock is super limited and Bare Knitwear is giving Style Bee readers first dibs on the small quantity available so don’t doddle if you’d love one!


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BABY ALPACA COAT

USE STYLEBEE10 FOR 10% OFF


Style Bee - Bare Knitwear

The Baby Alpaca Coat is technically on loan but it’s going to be near impossible to part with now that I’ve tried it! It’s such a perfect layer to wear over any basic base turtleneck or tee with jeans and boots. A long cardigan/sweater coat is a staple style in my cold weather closet and I can definitely see myself reaching for this one a lot.

Whenever I discover that an item can add longevity to other items within my closet, it gets bonus points. In the case of the Baby Alpaca Coat, I was delighted to find that this piece can be layered over a base look or underneath a coat depending on what you need.

Under an oversized trench like the Harper Jacket it takes on a whole new feel as a luxury liner. On drizzly days, it slides into my rain coat no problem and it makes for a supremely cozy thermal layer.



OTHER WAYS TO STYLE THE BABY ALPACA COAT


DETAILS


  • 3 COLOURS: Black, Charcoal and Light Grey (almost sold out). This style is getting restocked and released in additional sizing later this winter so stay tuned for the restock!
  • CARE: Hand wash cool lay flat to dry. This fibre softens with each wash and washes beautifully.
  • PRICE: $568 CAD $511.20 with ‘STYLEBEE10’ through October 9th.
  • SIZES: One Size. Large shawl collar can be worn gathered, folded or open adjusting the width of the garment to suit various body shapes and sizes. Additional sizes coming this winter! For reference, I’m 5’7 and it hits just above the knee.

SHOP THE BABY ALPACA COAT HERE

Use STYLEBEE10 for 10% OFF


CAPOTE COAT COMPARISON



I’ve received several questions about how the Baby Alpaca Coat compares to the Capote Coat (a piece I’ve had in my closet for several years) so I asked Bare Knitwear if I could do a little comparison.

I’d initially thought that the two coats would be fairly close but in reality to the they’re quite different, in a good way. The Capote Coat is a significantly heavier weight alpaca knit with exaggerated sleeves, a slightly longer length and a large hood. This keeps it firmly within the ‘coat’ category in my closet. I wear it as a giant cozy sweater sometimes but generally it’s too warm to be worn indoors unless it’s very cold out (we get plenty of those days here though).

Whereas, the Baby Alpaca Coat is a lighter weight knit and without the hood, extra length and exaggerated sleeves it feels more like a cardigan/coat hybrid. This distinction goes a long way when it comes to versatility, since the Baby Alpaca Coat can be worn outdoors during the fall, indoors all fall and winter and as a light coat in the Spring. One small detail that stood out on this piece is the subtle rib stitched hem, which helps the bottom fall flat and straight across instead of curling up like the Capote Coat.

Both have the luxurious feel of baby alpaca wool that’s so soft but so warm at the same time (the Baby Alpaca Coat is slightly softer on the skin). Both coats are a blend of 93% baby alpaca and 7% polyamide to help with stretch retention and abrasion.

PRICE COMPARISON: Capote Coats ring in at about $825 CAD while the Baby Alpaca Coat rings in at $511.20 CAD with ‘STYLEBEE10’.

I think it’s just a matter of deciding which one will suit your budget and lifestyle best. Feel free to ask any additional questions about these pieces in the comments!


OTHER BARE KNITWEAR STYLES TO EXPLORE


Use STYLEBEE10 for 10% OFF



TRAVEL WRAP – Such a versatile piece for chilly days as it can function as a blanket, scarf or shawl. 3 colours available.

MARINE CARDIGAN – The texture of this cardigan is divine and it’s a great option for anyone looking for a shorter length. 3 colours and 3 sizes available.

CLASSIC BEANIE – The quintessential chunky hand knit toque, guaranteed to keep your noggin’ nice a toasty. 4 colours available.


Thanks so much for reading!

I hope this post was helpful for anyone looking to invest in their knitwear collection this season. You really can’t go wrong with Bare Knitwear!

Feel free to share any additional questions in the comments.


ADDITIONAL OUTFIT SOURCES

LOOK 1 – FLORENCE PANT (Wearing a Small Reg) | PARIS WOVEN MULE (on sale!) | MINI DAY TOTE giftedCIGAR RING | WOMAN VASE NECKLACE

LOOK 2 – WHITE BUTTON DOWN* gifted | CECELIA PANT*| HEADBAND | TOTE* gifted | DAY HEEL gifted | *Linked to similar

LOOK 3 – CAMEL COAT | MINI DAY TOTE gifted | BOOTS* old gifted

LOOK 4 – WHITE TURTLENECK | BELT | BLACK JEANS gifted | SUEDE BOOTS* | BOX BAG gifted | *linked to similar

OTHER PIECES – HARPER JACKET | RAINCOAT* | TURTLENECK SWEATER DRESS | BOSS BOOTS gifted



PARTNERSHIP DETAILS: The Bare Knitwear pieces shown above were gifted or loaned as part of this partnership and Style Bee earns a commission on sales made using the reader discount code ‘STYLEBEE10’ (at no additional cost to customers). 10% discount is valid through October 9th.

Thanks for your interest in discovering and supporting the independent brands that support Style Bee! This post contains affiliate links and if you see a piece you like and decide to shop via the links above I may earn a commission.

Leave me a comment here!

  1. Pamela says:

    Lee, thanks for tuning me in to the Bareknitwear Baby Alpaca Coat. I was seeking out a beautiful, more kimono/duster style sweater in charcoal grey and wanted something that would be super warm and last a long time.The fact that they are a Canadian company is a bonus. Their retail website was sold out, but I looked on Garmentory and googled other online boutiques, and I found a stockist just down the road in Whistler BC of all places, so was able to get a Baby Alpaca Coat in Charcoal instead of waiting for the re-stock. Their last one in charcoal but when I ordered they still had the other colours. Put too much detergent in on the hand wash cycle without realizing, when trying to get the perfume smell out of it, but as you mentioned it washed beautifully and looks great, even if it did take 3 days to dry! (I so dislike drycleaning). I am wearing it now, have barely taken it off for a week 🙂

    • Lee the Bee says:

      So glad you were able to find a Baby Alpaca Coat and that you love it! It’s such a special piece for sure. Sounds like yours has found a forever home 🙂 Thanks for letting me know! xo

  2. Lily says:

    Hi! Would you consider doing a full post on the Shop Curated Coat? Would love to see your thoughts on it!

  3. Nancy says:

    Hi Lee, loving these pieces! I love the tobacco crewneck especially with your Shop the Curated camel coat. Do you mind telling me what size you wear in the coat? Our measurements are similar and the coat looks quite oversized… Thanks in advance!

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Thanks Nancy! I wear a Small in the Curated coat (which I bought this fall and am now completely OBSESSED with). It looks more oversize when worn open but when wrapped it’s not huge. xo

  4. Alexis says:

    I just discovered your blog a month ago and really enjoy all your blog! They’re informative and well thought out and even your sponsored posts are still authentic so I really appreciate that as a reader.

    These Bare Knitwear pieces are beautiful. Thank you for sharing the different ways to style each piece!

  5. Hanusia E Higgins says:

    Wow, these are stunning! The tobacco sweater just might be a winter investment piece for me. I am vegan and have been struggling with the ethics of animal fibers and my recent move to a chilly climate, but after doing some research alpaca seems to be about the most sustainable option out there. Thanks as always for your thoughtful selections!

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic Hanusia! I appreciate your perspective on animal fibres as a vegan and can imagine that knitwear would be tricky to navigate. In the reading I’ve done alpaca does seem to be the most sustainable option compared to synthetics, wool and cashmere. Thanks so much for reading! xo

  6. Frédérique Poirier-Patenaude says:

    Hi Lee! Those clothes makes me dream! They are all beautiful. A little bit more in my budget, I’m planning to buy the Everlane’s pants that you are wearing in this post. Would you be so kind to tell me which size that you bought? For reference, I 5’4 120 pounds. Best, Frédérique Xx

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Hi Frédérique, Of course! I wear a 26 in the Cheeky Jean, which is the white pair and a size 27 in the cigarette denim, which is the black pair. I didn’t need to have either pair altered which is great. Everlane also includes the measurements on all the size of each style so you could compare to pants you already have and like the fit of. My measurements are about a 26.5 W and 37.5 H. I hope that helps and just let me know if you have any other questions 🙂

  7. Frédérique says:

    Such a beautiful post, as always! I love your blue pants from Everlane! Can I ask what size are you wearing and if you had to do any ajustement to it? Xx

  8. Laurie Froese says:

    Hi,
    I’ve been following you for a while and really enjoy your posts. Since you’ve updated your site there seem to be a few glitches. In your recent cold weather post some of the text under”additional questions” is buried under pictures and unreadable. Hope you are able to work out the kinks soon.🤓

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Hi Laurie, thanks for letting me know about the glitch you’re seeing. I’m sorry about that! I’ve tested the site on a couple of browsers and mobile but don’t seem to be getting the same layout issue. If you’re able to share a screenshot and or let me know which browser and version you’re viewing on I can ask my developer to take a look at the problem. My email is lee@stylebee.ca. xo

  9. Kris says:

    These are just beautiful pieces – I own a couple and just love them. Love Kelsey’s business model even more.