Infiltrating both boardwalks and boardrooms, here's how to wear crochet as more than a mere cover-up this summer
2022 has been the year of crafty details in fashion, from patchwork to embroidery. Crochet quickly climbed the ranks, and has now superseded both sarong and breezy dresses as the must-have beachwear. It is an unsurprising development, with the likes of Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta both showing loopy knits in their resort 2022 collections. Not to mention Scandinavian brands like Acne Studios, Rotate and Saks Potts who all incorporated crochet across their spring/summer collections.
Revelling in this runway inspiration, it is clear the potential of this knit extends far beyond the beach. After all, with our current fashion climate encouraging more skin baring and lingerie displays, how far are we from crochet becoming commonplace in the office?
I turned to our fashion team for some further advice on ways to wear crochet. "I would lean into the 1980s with neon accessories, even layering a neutral toned crochet dress over a colourful base," our senior fashion editor Robert Rydberg told me. "Like those sporty playsuits," fashion assistant Amelie Langenskiöld chimed in. Both agreed that, with some innovative styling, crochet can be so much more than a beach cover-up.
Below explore three ways to sport craftcore on and beyond the beach, as inspired by our local tastemakers:
Nina Sandbech does maxi hemlines on the beach
The most common way to wear crochet is as a leisurely cover-up on sunny holidays by the beach. This is where the combination of a crochet maxi skirt and a matchy-matchy swimsuit shines, as the ensemble is appropriate for a boardwalk restaurant. While neutrals offer great versatility, don't shy away from colour. For example, Fanny Ekstrand, pin-pointed the power-move on Instagram sporting a bright blue bikini with a tone-on-tone crochet skirt.
However if you do stick to a more muted colour scheme, keep in mind Rydberg's great advice: pair your crochet with punchy accessories. A hint of neon instantly elevates the crochet skirt from day to night, making it the perfect look for an after-sun spritz, as expertly displayed here by Nina Sandbech.
Ilirida Krasniqi does crochet for cocktail hour
The envy-inducing closet of Copenhagen-based content creator (and dentist) Ilirida Krasniqi was bound to contain some crochet. In an expression of her effortless Frandinavian aesthetic shared by the likes of Sylvie Mus and Filippa Hägg, Krasniqi layered a long-sleeved sheer maxi dress over cheeky black underwear – finished with her signature comfortable heels (with a hint of sparkle) and a matching shoulder bag.
What transported Krasniqi's ensemble beyond the beach are the details of the dress. The low-cut neckline – held together with a contract black fastening, sweeping sleeves, and slit detail all help to make her dress so much more than a mere cover-up. The accessories (and va-va-voom curls) only add to the glamorous appearance of this cocktail-hour crochet.
Jeanette Madsen does breezy layering for brunch
Who said that crochet is a beachside exclusive? Staycations in the city – preferably kicked off with a brunch – are just as worthy an occasion. For museum visits, gallery browsing, and care-free afternoon coffees, consider crochet trousers your best friend. Teamed with a pair of stretchy shorts, a white oversized men's shirt and slip-on sandals, this carefully curated combination was made to beat city heat. Just look to Jeanette Madsen who, while on vacation, proved the simple practicality of crochet trousers and a white shirt.
Black crochet is, in general, a good option when seeking out pieces that transcend the seaside. Black always has the magic ability to elevate the most casual of items, from flip-flops to leggings – and crochet is no exception.
