Real stories · The jumper where the texture does the talking

Plain jumpers do nothing and patterns do too much — this one lets the texture do the talking

The jumper where the texture does the talking — that's what this one is. I'm 67, and jumpers divide neatly into two disappointments: the plain ones, which look like you've given the day up as lost, and the patterned ones, which at my age can tip from 'cheerful' into 'novelty' with no warning at all.

What I wanted was a jumper that looked considered — without a single stripe, spot or reindeer in sight.

Then I found the Calindrae from a British label called York Boutique — an elegant cable pullover, and I chose the white, which looks fresh against absolutely everything.

The whole idea is texture instead of pattern. The front is worked in raised cable columns — you can see them across a room and feel them under your hand — which is why one plain colour suddenly looks deliberate and rather expensive, the way good knitwear always does. Then there's the quarter-zip with its neat ring pull: up, and the collar sits warm around the neck for a walk; down, and it opens just enough to show a necklace at lunch. The trims are properly ribbed, the cut is tailored but relaxed, and it's warm without any of the bulk.

The raised cable texture gives the eye something to look at in a single soft colour — and the little ring pull on the zip goes up for warmth on a walk, down to show a necklace at lunch.

It has since done a kitchen full of morning tea, a walk to the flower stall and one lunch out, and it collected the exact compliment I was after: my neighbour asked if it was 'one of those expensive Scandinavian ones'. I said nothing, which I believe is allowed.

It was £34.95 in the sale, half the usual £70 — and I'd checked I could send it back if the texture flattened in the wash of daylight, which you can, within a fortnight, and the delivery's free. It comes in white, grey, black and pink, and in sizes S to 3XL.

If your jumper drawer also swings between 'given up' and 'novelty', do treat yourself to a look. The Calindrae is rated 4.7 out of 5 by more than 270 women, it's £34.95 in the sale instead of £70 — half price — and the white always seems to go first.