13 British Knitwear Brands To Know Now
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1 day ago
Britain's close-knit wool warriors
When it comes to achieving optimum cosiness levels, the best solution is a chunky knit. Whether you’re after a scarf, cardigan, jumper or a fully knitted dress, these beautiful British knitwear brands are the best place to start. (After all, we Brits know a thing or two about layering up for dreary weather.)
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The Best British Knitwear Brands To Know Now
Brora
B Corp fashion label Brora has been making luxury knits since 1993, and has been committed to creating long-lasting, timeless clothing ever since. The brand works primarily with natural fibres – particularly Scottish cashmere, wool, organic cotton and linen – and produces almost all of its products on UK soil. As for the style, expect playful wardrobe classics that will stand the test of time (and the bitter chill of winter).
Baukjen
The highest scoring SME Fashion B Corp in the world, Baukjen is a brand that champions both style and substance. Expect timeless pieces perfect for wearing through the seasons, year after year – perfect for capsule wardrobe shopping. Not sure if you’re ready to commit? The brand has its own rental service, so you can get a feel for its products ahead of investing.
Purdey & Sons
While renowned for its luxury sporting goods and country wear, Purdey & Sons also offers a refined selection of knitwear that embodies British countryside elegance. The brand’s knitwear range features classic designs crafted from premium natural fibres – including merino wool and cashmere – that are crafted to withstand the great British countryside.
House of Bruar
One of Scotland’s leading retailers, the House of Bruar is perhaps known best for its country fashion and impressive collection of tweeds and cashmere. The brand’s been in action since 1995, and can now be found today with its own ginormous store in rural Perthshire, Scotland. It’s the place to go for countryside garms, sporting accessories and, of course, comfy knits.
HADES
Fancy your wool with an edge? Then you’ll want HADES, the independent knitwear label that specialises in colourful, alternative styles – in other words, the name making knits cool again. Founded in 2016, the brand’s jumpers and scarves are handcrafted in Hawick, its cardigans are knitted in Spain and its skirts are constructed in England. HADES draws a lot of its inspiration from counter-culture, and you can often find the brand teaming up with British musicians and bands for its collections.
Bee&Sons
Those after something on the cosy end of the scale will love circular knitwear label Bee&Sons, which is known for its fluffy knits. Crafted by Italian yarn-makers in Prato, each knit is made from recycled yarn (avoiding synthetic fabrics) and made in small batches – with items available to pre-order with a wait time of two weeks.
John Smedley
With 235 years under its belt (as well as two Royal Warrants), you can rest assured that knits from John Smedley will display nothing but fine British craftsmanship. The brand, which today specialises in contemporary knitwear staples, is synonymous with British luxury.
Johnstons of Elgin
Another heritage label for your radar, Johnstons of Elgin has over 200 years of experience dealing with cashmere and dine woollens. The company has worked with natural, renewable, biodegradable fibres since 1797, and in 2015 it helped set up the Sustainable Fibre Alliance, a non-profit international organisation working with the extended Cashmere supply chain, from herders to retailers. As for the fashion itself, think traditional cable and Fair Isle knits interwoven with contemporary silhouettes and broad colour palettes.
Chinti & Parker
A family affair, British knitwear brand Chinti & Parker was founded by cousins Anna Singh and Rachael Wood, who wanted to bring fun, high-quality knits and everyday essentials to women’s wardrobes. Designs are refined and sophisticated, as well as packed with lots of wit and colour (think slogan knits and quirky illustrations).
Sheep Inc
Specialising in Merino wool fashion, Sheep Inc hand-picks its wool from regenerative farms in New Zealand and keeps a close eye on every part of its supply chain – much to the brand’s benefit. It has been at the forefront of industry innovation, including the world’s first naturally negative carbon footprint t-shirt and a revolutionary 100 percent regenerative textile engineered from cotton and superfine Merino wool.
HERD
Heritage knitwear label HERD has been on a mission to revive sheep farming traditions in England since its founding in 2020. Keeping things close, the brand sources its wool, spins and knits it in the Northern Uplands of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria, using 100 percent Bluefaced Leicester breed sheep fleece.
JW Anderson
While you might be more familiar with JW Anderson’s quirky runway shows (let’s not forget the pigeon clutch bag just yet), the London-based label is also famous for its gorgeous knitwear. Bringing loose silhouettes, bold colours and fresh patterns to the traditional craft, the brand is known for catching the eye of Millennial and Gen Z audiences – perhaps most famously Harry Styles, whose JW Anderson cardigan now rests in the V&A.
Brodie Cashmere
Luxury cashmere label Brodie embodies everything good in the Quiet Luxury trend; from super soft knits and minimalist designs to neutral hues and excellent craftsmanship. The brand works with three factories, one in Mongolia and two in China, with vertically integrated cashmere specialists – meaning that all processing, dyeing, spinning and knitting of each garment is done in-house.
