The blocking does the work: the body is knitted in one shade and the sleeves in another, so the cardigan reads as two pieces joined at a drop shoulder seam rather than a single flat panel. The break lands low on the arm, which is what makes the contrast obvious from the front.

There is no closure at all. A wide ribbed placket runs the full length of the open front and holds its shape whether you leave it hanging straight or pull the two edges together and belt them. The V opening it creates sits deep, the sleeves fall relaxed from that low shoulder seam, and ribbing repeats at the cuffs and hem to stop the shape spreading. Cropped above the waist, it is unlined and light enough to carry over an arm for the walk home when an autumn afternoon warms up. With no buttons to fasten, it goes on and off in a second, which is what makes it easy to live with.

Sizes run 4-6 / S to 20-22 / 2XL in Green, Light Grey, Pink and Black, in a regular fit with a relaxed body that is true to size. Our model is 5'9" and wears size S. Hand wash it or have it professionally dry cleaned.

• Fit: Regular fit with a relaxed body and sleeves, true to size
• Design: Blocked shades across body and sleeves with a drop shoulder seam
• Front: Open front with no closure and a wide ribbed placket
• Neckline: V neckline created by the open placket
• Sleeve and length: Drop shoulder sleeves with ribbed cuffs, cropped above the waist, unlined
• Sizes and colours: 4-6 / S to 20-22 / 2XL in Green, Light Grey, Pink and Black
• Model: Model is 5'9" and wears size S
• Care: Hand wash or professional dry clean