Intro

Pick up a sweater and stay warm all winter long. Generally speaking, the fabric grading for sweaters is: pure cashmere > pure wool > wool blend > cotton blend/synthetic blend. Today, we recommend some best sweater brands all over the world, all featuring excellent fabrics and workmanship.

1, Loro Piana /Italy

Founded in 1924, Loro Piana is a top Italian luxury brand that started with cashmere and is the world’s largest cashmere manufacturer and wool purchaser. In addition to sourcing high-quality cashmere and wool from around the world, it also develops a number of channels to obtain raw materials and occupies a dominant position in the supply of some rare and precious natural fabrics, including Peruvian vicuña and Baby Cashmere.

Loro Piana’s signature collection is “Llama Wool series”. Llama Wool has an average diameter of 12-13 microns, making it finer than premium cashmere, which measures 14-15 microns. Llama Wool is both lightweight and exceptionally warm. It can endure extreme cold, even surpassing 4,000 meters in altitude. At Loro Piana’s Bond Street boutique in London, you can find small piles of Llama Wool on display which customers are allowed to touch. The fiber is cloud-like in texture; exceptionally warm and soft, yet lightweight.

The Gift of Kings® is a premium collection alongside the Llama Wool series. The Merino wool used is grown and cultivated, developed, and exclusively sourced by Loro Piana from a select few farms in Australia and New Zealand. The fiber diameter is approximately 12 microns, resulting in garments with an exceptionally soft and light feel. This Merino wool is extremely rare, accounting for only 3,000 kilograms of the 500 million kilograms of wool produced annually in the region.

Cashmere products are also a core product of the company. The cashmere used is Kashmir cashmere, produced in the Alxa Desert in China’s Inner Mongolia region and Mongolia. It is known as “soft gold” in the international market. Baby Cashmere is the flagship product and the highest grade in the company’s cashmere line. With a fiber diameter of just 13.5 microns, it feels softer and more delicate than adult cashmere and is a very rare textile raw material.

Official Website:https://www.loropiana.com

2, Brunello Cucinelli / Italy

This Italian luxury brand is widely considered the “King of Cashmere,” exuding understated luxury. In 1985, its founder created the revolutionary cashmere dyeing technique known as world-renowned cashmere dyeing; breaking away from beige and gray hues commonly associated with cashmere fibers, creating something truly remarkable in terms of color variation – an innovation which marked a turning point in cashmere market history.

Brunello Cucinelli places great emphasis on traditional craftsmanship, emphasizing raw materials and tailoring as essential aspects. Cashmere comes primarily from top international fabric manufacturers Loro Piana and Cariaggi; cashmere also hails from Inner Mongolia, China, and Mongolia – specifically wool from sheep throat and abdomen areas that produces naturally soft colors in delicate fabrics. Furthermore, Egyptian long-staple cotton – considered the highest quality available today – is exclusively used.

“The Endless Story” is the theme product. The classic cashmere collection primarily comprises pure cashmere fabric, followed by blends incorporating silk, wool, or other natural fibers as filler materials. Classic styles and neutral colors combine for an aesthetically pleasing aesthetic in the Endless Story collection.

The brand releases new collections annually, meaning there are no set classic styles. Men’s styles tend towards classic elements such as knits, ribbed patterns and solid colors while women’s wear offers minimalist classic designs with more modern elements such as sequins, silver threads and beads – often creating subtle yet luxurious ensembles with dropped shoulders creating an elegant and stylish vibe.

Brunello Cucinelli’s current operations focus on offline sales with stores located across countries such as Italy, the US, Japan and Australia.

Official Website:https://www.brunellocucinelli.com

3,Pringle /UK

Pringle of Scotland, a leading Scottish sweater manufacturer, was founded in 1815 and holds a Royal Warrant issued by Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother. Classic sweater design elements such as the argyle pattern, two-piece suits, and open-front styles were pioneered by Pringle and revolutionized the sweater industry.

In 2000, SC Fang & Sons led by Hong Kong textile magnate Fang Hang acquired the company and entered the international luxury goods market. Unfortunately in 2008 they closed their factory in Hawick Scotland to outsource most production to Fang’s Asian suppliers; high-end products however are still produced here to comply with Scotland’s “Produced in Scotland” certification of origin.

Pringle of Scotland sweaters are crafted from an array of materials, such as cashmere, merino wool and lambswool. Cashmere for these sweaters comes from China’s Inner Mongolia and Tibet regions where goats produce it on their chest and abdomen for milk production; patterns available include Sanquhar, Guernsey and Argyle styles.

Sanquhar and Guernsey knit sweaters tend to be simple yet decorative, creating an effortlessly timeless aesthetic. For an eye-catching yet classic design element, consider using the timeless classic Argyle pattern on Sanquhar/Guernsey knits – its interweaved lines and diamonds in different colours creates a retro/preppy aesthetic when layering; it has been around since Pringle was established!

“From the Archives Capsule” offers stylish looks with thick and thin stripes and colour-blocked collar necklines for an eye-catching retro aesthetic. Boasting retro hues of coral, turquoise, ivory, camel, grey, featuring 1980s Pringle Striker prints as well as their signature Lion Jacquard Pattern for an authentic sporty retro aesthetic. Crafted with durable lambswool/nylon blend fabrics ensuring versatile yet timeless designs; perfect for both unisex wearers.

4, Ballantyne, UK

Ballantyne has been one of the premier cashmere brands worldwide for more than 100 years, beloved by both British royalty and Queen Elizabeth II herself. Unfortunately, however, due to weak brand recognition and limited distribution channels it experienced operational challenges; eventually being acquired by its creative director Fabio Gatto who then returned it back into Italy’s market with an exclusive high-end positioning.

Ballantyne sources its cashmere sweaters from Todd & Duncan of Inner Mongolia in China. Ballantyne prioritizes dyeing using yarn-dyed weaving technique to dye wool, cashmere, and other fibers before spinning, producing sweaters with increased color fastness.

Ballantyne’s design is heavily British-influenced, featuring an eye-catching diamond pattern first used as early as the 1930s and giving off a retro aesthetic. Not only can this pattern be found on its body but also shoulders and sleeves in different colors with contrasted color tones for an interesting juxtaposition between retro and modern elements – creating an adaptable yet wearable piece suitable for many occasions and looks. If you prefer vintage looks, you can pair a vintage pattern sweater with simple straight-leg trousers.

5, Missoni /Italy

Missoni is known for its knitwear. Established by fashion designer Ottavio Missoni and Rosita in 1953, Missoni became famous for its geometric abstract patterns and colorful lines that can be found throughout its products. Missoni uses a mix of plain stitch and herringbone weave to produce various pinstripe patterns with vivid hues for an easy yet Italian aesthetic design aesthetic.

Missoni clothing is known around the world for being works of art. Their vibrant colours and stripy patterns have long been signature features in Missoni products since their introduction in 1970s.

As well as wool, linen, silk, cotton, viscose and nylon are increasingly being integrated into fabric designs to give designers greater freedom when choosing styles and colours, make fabric hang better and feel nicer, as well as prevent wool or cashmere from becoming rough over time. While not entirely made from cashmere or wool and more costly than its alternatives; its unique designs and artistic qualities make these fabric works of art that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

Official Website:https://www.missoni.com

6, Johnstons of Elgin /UK

Johnstons of Elgin is a leading manufacturer of Scottish cashmere products, established as early as 1797. After four centuries, it has twice won the Queen’s Export Award and has been certified by the British royal family. It provides custom clothing for the Prince of Wales and has also won the title of “Scottish Textile Brand of the Year” at the Scottish Fashion Awards.

Johnstons of Elgin can independently control every link of sweater production, from raw material dyeing, spinning, weaving to finishing. It has the only factory in Scotland that can directly process cashmere fibers into finished products. It has the ability to control the production process and quality, effectively reducing costs. Therefore, the price of sweaters is much more reasonable than products of the same quality.

A major feature of the brand is its raising process, which uses natural plant raising grass instead of machines. Through friction, the fabric is made to produce soft fluff to enhance its warmth retention and give it a better gloss. This process is still used by some of Scotland’s oldest textile mills.

Johnstons of Elgin’s sweaters are mainly made of cashmere, merino wool, and vicuna. In summer, its products are made from a blend of silk and cotton. Johnstons of Elgin has been introducing vicuna since 1847 and was one of the first European brands to introduce vicuna, with high-quality raw material channels.

In terms of product design, Johnsons of Elgin has simple and versatile styles, leaning towards traditional styles. The price range is roughly between $200 and $500, and the comprehensive fabric and craftsmanship make its products cost-effective and suitable for gift giving. Its products are not only highly praised in the UK, but also popular in various European countries, the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

7, John-Smedley / Uk

As the earliest knitwear weaver in the UK, it has a history of knitwear production of more than 200 years and ancient production workshops. It is also the British royal knitwear brand and has been certified by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. It is at the top level in terms of fabric quality and workmanship quality.

John-Smedley uses its own Merino wool, cashmere as well as Sea Island cotton to ensure meticulous control over the fabrics. The cotton is hand-picked and crafted through at least 35 production steps. Each garment is washed in local spring water to make sure its softness. Furthermore, the wool and cashmere used are exceptionally wicking, warm, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant, retaining their shape.

All processes, from spinning and weaving to sewing, are completed in-house in the family-run factory, ensuring excellent quality control. In the industry, a knit with a gauge of 10 or more is considered fine, while most companies only achieve 24. John Smedley sweaters are almost all made with a 30-gauge stitch, which not only places high demands on the equipment but also requires high-quality yarn that is both fine and strong enough to meet the craftsmanship requirements. The resulting sweaters are soft and delicate.

The sweaters are primarily men’s styles, with simple designs. The main difference lies in the collar, which includes polo, crew, V-neck, mock turtleneck, and turtleneck. The turtleneck is a classic long-sleeved style, showcasing gentlemanly elegance. Besides the official UK website, there’s also a Japanese website. While the products there tend to be looser than Japanese styles, they still maintain the traditional British style, so you can choose according to your preferences.

Official Website:https://www.johnsmedley.com

8, Andersen-Andersen /Denmark

As the earliest knitwear weaver in the UK, it has a history of knitwear production of more than 200 years and ancient production workshops. It is also the British royal knitwear brand and has been certified by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. It is at the top level in terms of fabric quality and workmanship quality.

The brand’s inspiration comes from Denmark’s maritime history, and its sailor sweaters have been included in the Danish Maritime Museum’s permanent collection. The brand adheres to a home-made approach to ensure the quality of its sweaters, ensuring excellent quality control. The sweaters are compact, durable, and feature a wide range of elasticity for maximum freedom of movement.

Consideration has been put into the design details, for example the crew-neck design, with no front-to-back distinction, is designed to make it easy for sailors to put on the jacket even in the dark. Sailors can put the jacket on quickly, including the thumb holes on the cuffs and the longer sleeves, to remain warm and comfortable to work. This is very helpful for people who experience cold hands and feet during the winter.

All the brand outfits are prepared using the organic cotton from Turkey and pure new wool from Patagonia and Uruguay. Moreover, the design and stitching is precise and within best industry practices. Usually, the price is about 2000 yuan, and the brand’s outfits guarantee to last long and offer the warmth needed. Most style from the brand feature turtleneck and crew neck pullovers which have drawstring solid color weave patterns and are simple, natural and enduring.

Official Website:https://andersen-andersen.com

9, GOBI /Mongolia

Mongolia holds the world’s second-largest cashmere reserves. Its cashmere fiber and its products are considered mid- to high-end products in the international market, both in terms of color, aesthetics, and quality. GOBI is a leading company in Mongolia, operating a large-scale, vertically integrated cashmere factory with leading advantages in product color and production technology.

GOBI specializes in cashmere sweaters. The cashmere is hand-combed by experienced herders, resulting in fibers with a diameter of 13-14 microns. The resulting yarn is flexible and high-quality. GOBI collaborates with renowned designers in Italy, Germany, and the UK, including Saverio Palatella on a printed cashmere collection featuring stylish color blocking and floral patterns.

The spring/summer and autumn/winter collections launched in recent years are managed by Martin Parker, an experienced designer who has served as a senior designer for British brands such as Debenhams and Next Group PLC. The sweater patterns designed by him are mainly in chalk tones, and the bright and warm colors express the relaxed and leisurely style of the American West Coast. They are lively and individual when worn.

Official Website:https://www.gobicashmere.com

10,Toteme / Sweden

Toteme was founded by Swedish fashion blogger couple Elin Kling and Karl Lindman in 2014.

Toteme is an innovative young designer brand offering ready-to-wear apparel, shoes and accessories. Established in New York in 2014, Toteme opened its first physical store in Stockholm Sweden in 2018.

Toteme’s Design Philosophy

It emphasizes clean lines, elegant design and high-quality materials. Their clothing embodies a distinct Scandinavian aesthetic while remaining unassuming – they are hard to miss!

TOTEME’s minimalist style brings an air of simplicity to an ensemble, without being simplistic; their designs meet fashion demands for refined looks without unnecessary embellishment.

Official Website:https://int.toteme.com

11, Maiami/ Germany

Maiami, a Berlin-based brand founded in 2004 by designer and owner Maike Dietrich, offers a comprehensive product line encompassing hand-knitted sweaters, cardigans, and accessories. Maiami’s striking contrast between modernity and traditional craftsmanship is a defining characteristic of the brand. Its sparse, chunky knitting needles, dreamy, soft mohair, and rich color combinations and distinctive patterns create a highly recognizable aesthetic.

Inspired by the city of Berlin, Maiami’s sweaters are a playful sexy blend. Sweaters made by Maiami used to be displayed only in Berlin, Tokyo, New York, and Paris. Due to their unique style, these lovely knits are now readily available in many shops.

Official Website:https://maiami.de

12, ARKET / Denmark

Founded in 2017, ARKET, also part of the H&M family, is a boutique lifestyle store that integrates women’s, men’s, and children’s wear, home furnishings, and a café. Translated into English, ARKET means “sheet of paper,” a blank sheet of paper, and embodies the traditional Nordic design philosophy of pragmatism.

ARKET’s biggest difference lies in its focus on fabrics. By connecting production lines with raw material suppliers, ARKET manufactures recycled yarns, using organic and sustainable materials like cashmere, merino wool, organic cotton, organic wool, and ocean waste for its collections.

It also created a unique yarn made of organic Merino wool that runs throughout the collection. Based on mathematical formulas, they developed a series of optimal thread and needle combinations to create a variety of textures on the knitwear.

ARKET’s sweaters are of excellent quality because they can track every step of the fabric production. They only modify one detail of the style every year. They are the result of repeated refinement of a large amount of data. They are considered classics that have stood the test of time and are extremely cost-effective.

Official Website: https://www.arket.com

13, Ordos / China

Founded in 1979, Erdos has consistently held the top spot in the domestic cashmere market share for many years and has been awarded the “International Confidence Textile” certification by the leading international ecological textile testing agency for 20 consecutive years. In 2016, the company restructured its product line to include four lines: “1436,” “ERDOS,” “Erdos 1980,” and “BLUE ERDOS.”

1436 specializes in high-end luxury cashmere products. In 2008, it was selected as a state guest gift for China and in 2015, it was recognized as a “Best of the Best” by the American publication Robb Report. 1436 uses Albas baby cashmere, with each fiber averaging less than 14.5 microns and exceeding 36 mm in length, making it the finest of baby cashmere. Each sweater undergoes 120 processing steps, making use of high-count worsted spinning and low-temperature dyeing techniques for exceptional craftsmanship.

ERDOS market themselves as a stylish cashmere brand offering modern cuts and designs. With Gilles Dufour, a Knight of France’s Médaille du Reconnaissance as artistic director and Liu Wen, an international supermodel, as their brand ambassador, the brand ERDOS has made significant market strides. Every season, the brand releases several themes with a chic, stylish, and casual living vibe. ERDOS 1980 offers a clean, understated, yet elegant look with a touch of minimalism, ideal for everyday outfits.

1436 cashmere sweaters range in price from a 500$ to nearly 1,500$. Their designs are high-end and their workmanship is comparable to, or even superior to, high-end international sweater brands, with a lower barrier to entry. Both the ERDOS and 1980 product lines offer top-notch fabrics and workmanship, but ERDOS’s designs are more high-end and fashionable, while 1980’s are more versatile and everyday.

Official Website:https://en.erdos.cn

14, MaxMara / Italy

MaxMara is a well-known Italian women’s fashion label founded by Archille Maramotti in 1951, who originally studied law. However, his great-grandmother’s interest in high-end fashion aroused his interest and eventually led him into working within this industry – setting up what later became MaxMara.

Maramotti began MaxMara after continuing his great-grandmother’s sewing business and established MaxMara in 1951. Soon thereafter, MaxMara became famous for its camel-colored coats and deep red suits; one of the first ready-to-wear clothing lines. Since its founding, seven brands and 32 collections from MaxMara have been developed specifically tailored for different customers, embodying Italian fashion’s spirit while remaining elegant and simple in design.

MaxMara first introduced their iconic “101801 Coat” back in 1981 and over 25 years it sold over 135,000 units – quickly making them Italy’s number one women’s clothing company! By 1999, it had become their highest selling garment by far!

MaxMara has always placed emphasis on product design. Our customers recognize its intrinsic value. Women choose MaxMara clothing because it is made with top-quality materials and tailored perfectly. Women seeking clothing that doesn’t follow short-lived trends prefer clothing with traditional charm, unaffected by fashion trends. MaxMara clothing stands out as elegant and timeless; never succumbing to short-term trends. MaxMara is one of the premier brands when it comes to city fashion. Their designs typically utilize black, white, and grey hues along with well-known materials like tweed, satin, chiffon, and leather – restricting choices of colours and materials.

Official Website: https://www.maxmara.com

15, YASHIKI / Japan

YASHIKI is a knitwear brand of the same name founded by designer Sayatomo Yashiki in 2014. The brand’s genes come from Gunma Prefecture in the Kanto region of Japan. The textile industry here has a long history and foreign textile machines were introduced very early. It excels in combining international knitting technology with unique knitting patterns. It is a well-known textile industry region in Japan.

YASHIKI uses more yarn than ordinary fabrics to increase the density of the stitches, and uses intricate monochrome patterns to create comfortable knitwear that resonates with nature . Each item is carefully considered and crafted, making YASHIKI one of the most popular brands in cold weather.

Designer Sayatomo Yashiki is obsessed with simple lines and versatile clothing. His hometown is Ishikawa Prefecture, and the local landscape and culture are integrated into his designs. He conveys the four seasons and humanistic feelings of Ishikawa Prefecture through simple and elegant appearance and complex craftsmanship.

While our first impression of YASHIKI is minimalism , a closer look reveals a wealth of hidden details, expressed through design and craftsmanship. These details may seem insignificant to some users, but for this brand, they are the soul and the most important emotional expression of the designer.

Official Website:https://yashiki-jp.com

Warm Tips:

Sweaters are beautiful and warm, but maintaining them isn’t easy. Mastering a few washing tips can help your clothes last longer. This winter, let’s get cozy with sweaters!

Washing recommendations:

1. Don’t wash it too often.
2. Remove stains with a proper (wool-friendly) stain remover.
3. Pay attention when washing clothes by hand: 1) Use warm water, not hot water!
   2) Use detergents approved by The Woolmark Group.
   3) Do not wring, curl or pull when washing.
   4) Use a large towel to gently roll out the water from your clothes.
   5) Lay flat to dry, do not hang.