Gillian Anderson's M&S merino wool and cashmere-blend knit offers autumn-ready affordable luxury
This short sleeved, knitted top is sure to see tons of wear over the season
Autumn might be cooling down, but the weather is still teasing us with warm afternoons, so it’s not quite cold enough to break out our best wool jumpers yet. The transitional season is still hanging on, and that means that the knitted vest Gillian Anderson just wore is the chicest answer to layering right now.
While announcing the launch of her drinks range G Spot into M&S stores, she appeared on the British clothing brand's Instagram page wearing the merino wool-rich knitted vest with cashmere by Autograph. Its grey marl tone and luxe knitted fabric delivered a cosy, autumnal look to its sleeveless cut.
The top still has a delightfully cosy feel, and its blend of merino wool and cashmere adds breathability. As both cashmere and merino fibres are much thinner than standard wool, the fabric has a much softer finish while still being warm, trapping body heat when it's chilly outside. It’s exactly the kind of fabric you want in your auutmn capsule wardrobe.
The grey marl hue of Gillian's knitted top makes it a seriously versatile piece you can wear with a multitude of different autumn tones, but it's also available in a bold red that makes light work of styling the hue that's dominating autumn/winter fashion colour trends for 2026.
Gillian's knitted top features a blend of 10% cashmere, whereas this one from Jigsaw is made from 100% cashmere. Cashmere is a soft, warm and delicate fabric that's equal parts sleek and cosy, and the warm brown hue of this Jigsaw knit only emphasises that.
This Boden knit comes in a handful of colourways and patterns, but this navy option makes for a super versatile pick. It's made from 100% cashmere, which, Boden says, feels 'cloud-like,' and has an easy, regular fit that's not too tight.
Sézane's neutral autumn palette ensures this investment knit is easy to style. This sleeveless knitted top is made from baby alpaca and merino wool and is available in a range of seasonal hues, from dark chocolate brown to light taupe and soft orange to rich navy.
The rich charcoal tone of this merino wool top makes it a brilliantly versatile piece, whether you style it with tonal hues or use it to ground bolder colours. With a V-neckline and regular fit, it can be worn on its own or layered over T-shirts, long sleeves or blouses for a cosy finish.
A funnel neckline brings a sophisticated feel to this knitted top that's crafted from '100% ultra-soft merino wool,' while a relaxed fit around the neck keeps everything feeling fluid alongside the fine-gauge knit.
Offering temperature regulation, merino wool and cashmere have other benefits that make a case for adding them to your capsule wardrobe. The fine fibres that make them breathable and warm also add to their comfort, with the soft finish contrasting with traditional coarse wool and making merino wool and cashmere pieces more comfortable to wear. Both 100% natural fibres, they are naturally antimicrobial; they help to repel odour-causing bacteria, meaning you can wear jumpers and tops made from the fabrics multiple times between washes.
Gillian styled a tonal outfit by adding a pair of black trousers that worked as an easy and effortless option for office wear and smart casual outfit ideas. We couldn’t see how she finished off the look, but some patent loafers or black kitten heels would make great choices. Or you could slip into your best white trainers for a more casual spin.
While her top looked great on its own, its thin, low-bulk knit lends itself incredibly well to layering, making it easy to include in autumn outfit ideas. Thanks to the sleeveless design, you can layer it over cotton shirts, silk blouses, fitted long-sleeves, or even over dresses, without adding any bulk.
