Blazé Milano Knitwear: The Highland and Elfe Guide

The short answer: Blazé Milano knitwear comes in two families. Highland is a soft 70 percent wool, 30 percent cashmere blend, made into polos, cardigans, V-necks, a roundneck and a gilet, finished with gold-tone buttons and, on many styles, the house Smiley pockets. Elfe is a heavier Aran cable knit in lambswool and cashmere. Both are designed to sit under the brand’s blazers, and both are cut to a regular fit.

A label famous for its blazers has to get the layer underneath right, and Blazé Milano treats its knitwear as part of the tailoring. The pieces are slim enough to go under a jacket, and detailed enough (polo collars, leather-covered buttons, rib knits) to be worn without one. Here is the full range for this autumn and winter, and how to wear it.

Highland: wool and cashmere essentials

The Highland family shares one yarn, a 70 percent wool and 30 percent cashmere blend, and one palette: black, camel, Bordeaux (a deep burgundy), Marino (blue) and Sugar (a pale aqua green). The styles:

Highland Polo. A clean, comfortable sweater with a polo collar and gold-tone logo buttons. The brand calls it an essential for layering under blazers and jackets. See the Blazé Milano Highland Polo in Highland Camel, Blazé Milano Highland Black and Blazé Milano Highland Bordeaux, and our wider guide to knit polo sweaters.

Highland Ines Polo Cardigan. A cardigan with a polo collar and gold-tone buttons, in Blazé Milano Bordeaux, Blazé Milano Marino and Blazé Milano Sugar. It complements both tailoring and denim.

Highland Uda V Neck Cardigan. An English rib knit with Smiley pockets and black leather-covered logo buttons, in Blazé Milano Highland Black and Blazé Milano Highland Camel.

Highland Charmoise V Neck. A plain V-neck sweater with ribbed trims and a tonal embroidered logo, the simplest piece in the range: Blazé Milano black and Blazé Milano camel.

Highland Racka Roundneck. Inspired by the classic sailor sweater, with an English rib knit and a shoulder opening fastened with leather-covered buttons: Blazé Milano Highland Racka Roundneck in Highland Camel.

Polo Army. A menswear-inspired sweater with a stand collar and leather-covered buttons: Blazé Milano Polo Army in Highland Marino.

Highland Gilet. A V-neck knitted waistcoat with gold-tone buttons, made to wear under a blazer, over a white shirt, on its own: Blazé Milano Bordeaux, Blazé Milano black, Blazé Milano Marino and Blazé Milano camel.

Elfe: the Aran cable knit

Elfe is the heavier family, a 68 percent lambswool, 29 percent cashmere and 3 percent polyamide yarn worked into a traditional Aran cable. The Blazé Milano Elfe Joni Cardigan in Sherwood Grey is a melange grey cardigan with Smiley pockets and leather-covered buttons; the Blazé Milano Elfe Racka Roundneck in Sherwood Bordeaux is a melange burgundy sweater with the shoulder opening of the Racka. These are the pieces to wear on their own on the coldest days, with a coat on top instead of a blazer.

Which piece to buy first

How Blazé Milano knitwear fits

The Highland polos, cardigans, V-necks and the gilet are tailored to a regular fit, and the brand recommends your usual size. Blazé Milano sizes 00, 0, I, II, III and IV convert to UK 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 (US 2 to 12, Italian 36 to 46). Knitwear is designed to go under the blazers, so it will not bulk out a Charmer; if you want a looser, slouchier knit, size up one.

How to style it

Under a blazer. A camel polo under the brown check of the Blazé Milano Everyday Blazer in Moat Multicolor is the house look for autumn. A black polo under a grey blazer is the sharpest office version; see our grey blazer guide.

The three-piece. Wear the Highland Gilet buttoned, with the matching blazer open on top and Fox Pants: a modern three-piece suit.

With denim. The Ines Polo Cardigan, buttoned and tucked into straight jeans, is the weekend uniform; our Blazé Milano jeans guide has the denim.

Tonal Bordeaux. Highland Polo, Gilet and Ines Cardigan all come in the same burgundy. Wear two together with the Blazé Milano Tomo Pants for one deep, rich colour from neck to hem, and see our burgundy blazer guide for the jackets that match.

The Highland colours, and what to wear them with

Black is the sharpest: under grey check and pinstripe tailoring, with black trousers for evening, with white jeans in spring. Camel is the warmest neutral in the range and the easiest to wear next to the face; it sits with brown, grey, navy and cream. Bordeaux is the colour of the season, a deep burgundy that looks rich against grey and navy and quietly festive with black. Marino is a mid blue that works with denim and with every navy blazer. Sugar is a pale aqua green, the one to choose for spring, lovely with cream and with the mint of the Amara cotton pieces. If you are building a knitwear wardrobe from scratch, start with camel and black and add Bordeaux for colour.

Caring for wool and cashmere knits

Wool and cashmere need little washing. Air them between wears, fold them rather than hang them so the shoulders keep their shape, and hand wash cold with a wool detergent when needed, drying flat. A cashmere comb lifts pilling from under the arms. Store with cedar in summer.

Shop all knitwear at Coveti, and see the rest of the house at Blazé Milano.

Frequently asked questions

What is Blazé Milano knitwear made of?

The Highland range is a 70 percent wool and 30 percent cashmere blend. The Elfe range is 68 percent lambswool, 29 percent cashmere and 3 percent polyamide, in a traditional Aran cable knit.

Does Blazé Milano knitwear run true to size?

The Highland polos, cardigans and gilet are cut to a regular fit and the brand recommends your usual size. Size up one for a looser, slouchier fit.

What colours does the Highland knitwear come in?

This season: black, camel, Bordeaux (a deep burgundy), Marino (blue) and Sugar (a pale aqua green), though not every style comes in every colour.

Can you wear Blazé Milano knitwear under a blazer?

Yes. The knits are designed to sit under the brand blazers; the polo collar of the Highland Polo sits neatly inside a lapel.

What are Smiley pockets?

Smiley pockets are the curved pockets that appear across Blazé Milano jackets, trousers and some knits, including the Highland Uda V Neck Cardigan and the Elfe Joni Cardigan. They are one of the house signatures.

How do I wash a wool and cashmere sweater?

Wash sparingly. Hand wash cold with a wool detergent, press out the water in a towel without wringing and dry flat. Fold to store.