The right check looks classic; the wrong one looks like a picnic blanket!

Just imagine a plaid in faded rose, cream and soft green — the colours of an old wool blanket rather than a bright tartan. Now stop imagining, because that softness is exactly what makes this one easy to wear at any age.

• A Faded, Lived-In Check
  The lines are fine and the colours are muted, so the pattern sits back rather than jumping forward. It has the look of something you've owned for years.
• Rose That Warms The Face
  Dusty pink against cream is quietly flattering, especially in winter light. It's softer than red and far kinder than a stark white.
• Waffle-Knit Body
  The textured stitch gives a lightweight sweater real substance. It holds its shape through the day and comes back into shape after washing.
• Relaxed Through The Body
  The cut skims instead of clinging, with a dropped shoulder and a gently curved hem that sits just past the hip. Take your usual size for the easy drape you see here, or go one up if you like a little more room. It comes in S through 5XL, and the shape is drafted for each one rather than simply scaled up.
• Endlessly Pairable
  Because the palette is muted, it sits happily with denim, cream trousers, camel or grey. There is no outfit to plan around it.

Checks get abandoned when they're too loud to repeat. This one is soft enough to wear on consecutive weeks without anyone noticing — and sweaters you can repeat are the only ones that really get worn.