I’d like to think I’m pretty good at spotting a bestseller before it comes, well, a bestseller. Years in the industry and a degree in journalism will play a role in that, but, nothing comes close to the feeling of trying an item in a changing room and getting that gut feeling of ‘yes! This piece will become ‘viral’ – I just know it!’ On my latest endeavours into my local Marks & Spencer store (I’m on a first-name basis with some of the staff in there now), I spotted the Air-Yarn Scarf-Neck Cardigan and in the same move, immediately took it to the changing room with the feeling I described earlier. 

The Air-Yarn knitwear range from M&S is a particular favourite among customers, mainly because of its incredibly soft fabric that always has an affordable price tag. And honestly? This jumper could easily match the few I have from COS or Massimo Dutti in terms of quality, yet its price tag remains at under £40. However, the pièce de résistance of the scardigan (if you will) has to be the detachable neck scarf, which is buttoned at the neck, making the M&S design essentially two cardigans for the price of one. 

I’d say the M&S Air-Yarn Scarf-Neck Cardigan comes up true-to-size, too. I’m usually a size 10-12 and in the cardigan I grabbed a size M, and it fit exactly how I’d want it – not too baggy, but not overly fitted either. To style, the grey iteration feels a lot more versatile and will easily slot into your current wardrobe line-up, whether you choose to wear it with a trending kilt skirt, or something more timeless like a pair of black wide-leg trousers. Its newer olive sibling is somewhat brighter, but as easy to style, particularly when paired with chunky boots and indigo denim.

There’s a particular excitement in spotting (or in this case, trying on) a bestseller before it becomes one, call it a fashion sixth sense. M&S’s Air-Yarn Scarf-Neck Cardigan epitomises that instinct with its comfort, on-trend design and two different looks you can get from it, just by simply detaching the scarf – and you can probably guess by now that it came home with me. And, if you want one, too, you might want to move pretty quickly. 

Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she’s hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she’s going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.