A knitted cami holds its own by way of its knit. Seek out something with a good gauge that lays close to the body without clinging in all the right places, a rib or interlock fabric with enough recovery so that it won’t slump by noon. Straps are worth more consideration than many realise – thin knitted straps that are cut as part of the garment rather than sewn on afterwards will keep their shape and lay flatter across your shoulders. You want something that has just enough stretch across the chest and a skimpy hem rather than something that rolls up, which is often more down to the yarn manufacture than the cut.
It’s in these details that a knitted cami shines when transitioning from seasons, and from dressed up to dressed down. Worn alone, depending on how warm the weather is, it cries out for a good bra to be the visible layer, paired with high waisted trousers or a midi skirt and something sparkly at the ear instead of lots of additional details.
That’s a look perfect for early evening, pre-dinner drinks or that awkward daytime occasion where you know it’ll get hotter as the day goes on but the dress code still requires something ‘nice’. Layered, it offers something completely different. Under a tailored blazer with the knit visible at the neck reads put together rather than lazy, especially in a fine merino or silk blend that catches the light slightly. Under an unbuttoned shirt or loose rollneck it does the opposite, softening a more structured outer layer and allowing you to loosen up.
Pair it with a slip skirt or a wide leg trouser for the same reason; a knitted cami is all about the smooth line it creates through your torso, so a complicated bottom half distracts from that instead of working with it.
All in all, knitted camis are at their best when you’re in between. Not quite dressy enough for true occasion-wear but too much effort to be loungewear. A meal that begins on a patio and ends inside, an afternoon meeting that transitions into night time plans, travel days where you know layering is going to be key. Often what makes a worthwhile cami or a one you give away after wears and washes is revealed after you’ve owned it for a little while; does it keep its shape or do the straps start to curl up? So pay attention to the fabric first.
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