Winter is almost here, so now is the perfect time to invest in knitwear that lasts. We’ve rounded up the best luxury knitwear brands to buy in 2026, from centuries-old British mills to new names redefining sustainable knits. Every brand below makes its knitwear in Britain, Ireland or Europe. In addition, each one earns its place for quality, heritage or responsible production.
Quick answer: The best luxury knitwear brands in 2026 are John Smedley (best fine merino), Barrie (best designer cashmere), Johnstons of Elgin (best Scottish heritage), N.Peal (best classic cashmere), Luca Faloni (best Italian cashmere) and Waste Yarn Project (best sustainable one-offs).
1. John Smedley — best for fine merino
John Smedley began in 1784 and still makes its knitwear at Lea Mills in Derbyshire. In fact, the brand describes Lea Mills as the oldest manufacturing factory in the world still in continuous operation. Queen Elizabeth II also granted John Smedley a Royal Warrant as a manufacturer of fine knitwear.
What to buy: First, the knitted polo shirt, which the brand has barely changed since 1932. Then, the extra-fine merino crew necks. Both feel light enough to layer under tailoring, yet they stay warm enough to wear alone.
Best for: Anyone building a capsule wardrobe. For that reason, the “Icons” collection is the place to start.
2. Barrie — best for designer cashmere
Barrie is a Scottish cashmere knitwear manufacturer founded in 1903. Later, in 2012, it joined Chanel’s Métiers d’Art, the group of specialist ateliers that the fashion house owns.
Barrie blends high-tech knitting with traditional handwork. For example, its team judges the washing of each garment individually and finishes the assembly by hand. As a result, Barrie stands apart even among luxury mills.
What to buy: Above all, the intarsia and jacquard cashmere jumpers, because they show Barrie’s technical skill most clearly. In addition, the brand’s capsule collection with Sofia Coppola is a highlight for fashion collectors.
Best for: Fashion lovers who want runway-level design along with Scottish craftsmanship.
3. Begg x Co — best for colourful, traceable cashmere
Begg x Co designs and manufactures cashmere knitwear, accessories and homeware in Ayrshire, Scotland. Fans love the brand for its bold colour and its modern, expressive take on a traditional material.
Its collections combine age-old techniques with contemporary design and technology. Most importantly, the brand traces each fibre from goat to garment. Therefore, you know your purchase meets high social and animal welfare standards.
What to buy: The cashmere scarves and beanies make a strong entry point. Meanwhile, the knitwear shows off the brand’s full colour palette.
Best for: Shoppers who want colour as well as full supply-chain transparency.
4. Waste Yarn Project — best for sustainable one-offs
If sustainability matters most to you, Waste Yarn Project is the brand to know. It repurposes surplus yarns to create one-of-a-kind knitwear. Consequently, every design starts with whatever materials the team finds.
The brand picks colours and plies using its own “WYP Wheel of Fortune”, a system of controlled randomness. However, the team balances the fibre blend of every combination, so each piece stays soft and durable.
What to buy: Any crew neck or cardigan. Since no two are the same, buy the one you love before it’s gone.
Best for: Eco-conscious shoppers who also want a truly unique piece.
5. HADES — best for directional knits
Founded in 2016, HADES draws on counterculture, radical figures and history. Notably, its collaboration with Tilda Swinton, who calls Scotland home, took two years to develop.
HADES began as a knitwear label and then expanded into ready-to-wear in 2022. Even so, its commitment to long-lasting quality hasn’t changed. HADES handcrafts its jumpers and scarves in Hawick, Scotland, while partners in Spain knit its cardigans and makers in England construct its skirts.
What to buy: The Hawick-made jumpers, because they pair traditional Scottish knitting with an unconventional design point of view.
Best for: Style-led shoppers who want something beyond the classics.
6. N.Peal — best for classic cashmere
London brand N.Peal opened in 1936 and has dressed royalty and film stars ever since. Today, its flagship in Burlington Arcade remains one of London’s best-known cashmere destinations.
“Movie stars will come to us even during a bad day. Sophia Loren consoled herself in buying N.Peal cashmere when her jewels were stolen. Travelling husbands know our shop – a gentleman always buys blue for his wife.” — N.Peal
What to buy: A classic cashmere crew or V-neck in a core colour. Plus, N.Peal offers one of the widest colour ranges in luxury cashmere.
Best for: Timeless cashmere and, equally, gifting.
7. &Daughter — best for hand-finished heritage knits
&Daughter is a legacy brand. As founder Buffy Reid explains: “My Irish Granny was an amazing knitter, she passed that knowledge and passion onto my father. He began his career selling the Donegal tweeds and Arans of his birthplace and made his life’s work Irish and Scottish knitwear of the highest quality. Now I am lucky enough to work with many of the makers and mills that he did.”
The brand works with five yarns and five makers across Scotland and Ireland. Moreover, it keeps production deliberately slow. First, makers knit each panel individually; then they link the pieces together and finish them by hand.
What to buy: The Aran and fisherman-style jumpers, because they draw directly on the founder’s Irish roots.
Best for: Shoppers who value provenance as well as small-batch making.
8. Luca Faloni — best for Italian cashmere
Italian brand Luca Faloni sources exclusively from renowned Italian suppliers. For instance, its cashmere and silk-cashmere come from Cariaggi, while its brushed cotton comes from Grandi & Rubinelli.
Slow fashion sits at the heart of Luca Faloni. Accordingly, the brand makes everything in Italy and champions Italian artisans throughout.
What to buy: The two-ply cashmere crew neck for everyday wear or, alternatively, the four-ply chunky knits for serious cold.
Best for: Understated Italian luxury at a fair price for the quality.
9. Studio Nicholson — best for minimalist wardrobes
Nick Wakeman launched the “fabric-first” Studio Nicholson in 2010, after more than 20 years in design. In her words: “I create shapes according to how a cloth behaves, because after all, everything we wear is an engineered product – the raw materials must fit the end purpose.”
The label takes inspiration from Japanese architecture, 1990s subculture and geological landscapes. As a result, it favours timeless style over trends.
What to buy: Relaxed-fit knits in neutral tones. After all, the brand designs them to work with the rest of its collection season after season.
Best for: A stripped-back, modular wardrobe.
10. Johnstons of Elgin — best for Scottish heritage
Johnstons of Elgin has made cloth in Scotland since the late 18th century and has held a Royal Warrant. Its knitwear uses natural, biodegradable fibres. As a result, the pieces feel soft, warm and quietly stylish.
Furthermore, Johnstons of Elgin is a certified B Corp. In other words, it meets independently verified social and environmental standards.
What to buy: A cashmere jumper together with one of the brand’s famous cashmere scarves.
Best for: Heritage Scottish cashmere with credible sustainability credentials.
How we chose these luxury knitwear brands
Our editors selected each brand based on four factors. First, where and how the brand makes its knitwear. Second, the quality of its fibres. Third, its heritage or innovation. Finally, its approach to responsible production. [Add first-hand notes here, e.g. which pieces the team has worn, tested or handled in store.]
Luxury knitwear FAQs
What is the best luxury knitwear brand?
It depends on what you need. For example, John Smedley is best for fine merino layering pieces, whereas Barrie leads for designer cashmere. Meanwhile, Johnstons of Elgin combines Scottish heritage with B Corp credentials.
Is Scottish cashmere worth the money?
Scottish mills, especially in the Borders town of Hawick, have a long reputation for finishing cashmere to a very high standard. Moreover, well-made cashmere pills less and lasts for years with proper care. Therefore, the cost per wear is often lower than cheaper alternatives.
Which luxury knitwear brands are the most sustainable?
Johnstons of Elgin is a certified B Corp. Similarly, Begg x Co traces every fibre from goat to garment. In addition, Waste Yarn Project makes all its knitwear from surplus yarn.
How should I care for cashmere and merino?
First, hand wash in cool water with a wool detergent, or use your machine’s wool cycle. Next, dry flat and away from direct heat. Finally, fold your knitwear rather than hanging it, so it keeps its shape.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, LDN Fashion may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, our editors choose every brand independently.
