My favourite things: ça va de soi sweaters and basics

Despite what we might say, we all pick favourites, and when it comes to sweaters and basics, my heart belongs to one brand and one brand only: ça va de soi. The Montreal-based company has been making superior quality knits since 1972, but I only caught wind of it six years ago when I fell in love with a grey cashmere cardigan at James in Westmount. A blend of cashmere, extra fine merino wool and silk, I stalked this sweater until it went 50 per cent off, and even then I couldn't believe I was shelling out $160 for a sweater! Needless to say, it was one of the best purchases I've ever made because after wearing it all these years it has hardly pilled and remains impossibly soft.

Ça va de soi now has a stand-alone boutique in Ottawa and on Laurier Ave., as well as a store within a store at Ogilvy's in Montreal. A major part of why the clothes stand the test of time, is the label's  "slow wear" philosophy. Their ethos is to use ethical practices to source the best quality fibers from around the world (Scottish wool, Egyptian Cotton, Italian silk etc.), and then to have master spinners turn the raw materials into classic designs. While most of the weaving is done in China, some garments are made in Italy.

Attention is paid to every detail, including the buttons, which are always made from natural materials: mother-of-pearl, oyster, scallop, clam, wood, nutshells etc. Although new additions are made each season, the bulk of the collection remains unchanged year after year. And while individual retailers can put ça va de soi items on sale, you'll never find the brand's items being discounted at its stores – a testament to its timeless apparel.

Come fall, I like to treat myself to two new sweaters, and since each one is more luxurious than the next and they all fit so well – it's not an easy decision. This season, I finally settled on an oatmeal cable-knit sweater in a super fine wool ($200), and a plum boyfriend sweater that's 50 per cent cashmere and 50 percent super fine merino wool ($270). I like that the latter is baggy enough that I can fit a button-down blouse underneath, while cable-knit is huge this season and the sweater will go perfectly with my flared J-brands. When wool is ultra fine, it's not in the least bit itchy, and it's made so as to ensure you're never too hot or too cold by adapting to the temperature of your body and the environment.

Plum boyfriend sweater paired with Current Elliott denim shirt

And because I couldn't resist, I ended up also purchasing a thin black turtle-neck made with Egyptian Mako cotton and eight per cent lycra for layering ($75). Ça va de soi's cotton is seriously bullet-proof. Egyptian cotton is undoubtedly the world's finest and the technique for growing it hasn't changed in centuries. If conditions are unfavorable the soil is left fallow, and the cotton is still meticulously picked by hand.

Cable-knit sweater with orange/red Equipment blouse underneath

A new edition to the ça va de soi family this season is a multi-purpose shawl. Available in a range of colours, it's made by Tuscan weavers using top of the line merino wool. The second I saw it I envisioned the myriad ways I could wear it (over a summer dress, wrapped around my neck with a leather jacket, as a blanket etc.) and have been lusting over the $240 piece of heaven ever since. It goes without saying my mother had to use a bit of force to separate us. Just putting it out there: my birthday is Nov. 10;)

Disclosure: None of the brands endorsed on this blog are funding me in any way, so my opinion isn't influenced by anyone but myself. On second thought, it would be nice to get me a free sweater...