Best Men's Knitwear Brands UK 2026
Fibre Types Explained
The quality of a knitted garment starts with the yarn. Not the brand name, not the price tag — the yarn. Understanding fibres is the fastest way to judge whether a £190 polo is worth twice a £95 one. Usually, it is.
Merino Wool
Fine-gauge, temperature-regulating, naturally odour-resistant. The workhorse of premium knitwear. Softer than standard wool, breathable in warmth, insulating in cold. Machine washable at 30°C on delicate cycle. Gran Sasso and Paul Smith use extra-fine merino extensively.
Cashmere
Harvested from the underbelly of Mongolian and Inner Mongolian goats. Three times warmer than merino at half the weight. Incredibly soft. Requires hand washing and flat drying. Premium Gran Sasso pieces use cashmere blends for luxury without fragility.
Cotton Knit
Lighter weight, breathable, suited to spring and autumn. Less warmth than wool but easier to care for. BOSS and Les Deux use Egyptian and Supima cotton for their lightweight knit ranges. Machine washable. Holds colour well.
Silk Blend
Added to merino or cashmere for sheen and drape. Creates a more luxurious hand feel. Common in Italian knitwear from Gran Sasso. Requires careful washing — hand wash or dry clean.
Gran Sasso — Italian Master
Gran Sasso is the knitwear brand that other knitwear brands learn from. Founded in 1952 in the Abruzzo region of Italy, they have spent seven decades perfecting the art of knitting fine-gauge yarns into garments that feel like a second skin. Their factory produces for dozens of luxury labels under private licence, but the pieces that carry the Gran Sasso name represent their finest work.
The cable knit polo shirts (£190–£240) are signature Gran Sasso: three-button collar, structured knit body, a weight that works twelve months of the year under a jacket or on its own. The stripe knit polos (£215) add pattern without noise. The reversible hooded jackets (£198) merge knitwear with outerwear. And the hybrid jackets (£340–£350) combine knitted bodies with padded nylon sleeves — the ultimate autumn-to-winter layering piece.
What Makes Gran Sasso Different
- 70+ years of Italian knitwear manufacturing expertise
- Extra-fine merino, cashmere and silk blends
- 12–14 gauge knitting for a fine, smooth finish
- Fully fashioned construction — shaped on the machine, not cut from flat fabric
- Pieces designed to be worn year-round, not just winter
BOSS — German Precision
BOSS Black knitwear occupies the territory between Italian craft and German efficiency. The H-Facente crew neck (£349) in dark blue is a fine-gauge merino piece with clean lines and minimal branding — the kind of jumper that works under a suit jacket or with jeans. BOSS knitwear is consistent: the same gauge, the same finishing, the same fit, season after season.
Where BOSS excels is accessibility. Their knitwear is sized precisely, labelled clearly and available in colourways that match the rest of the BOSS wardrobe. If you already wear BOSS trousers and shirts, the knitwear slots in without thought. That consistency is the German contribution to fashion — not flamboyance, but reliability.
Paul Smith — British Character
Paul Smith knitwear carries the signature stripe — not always visible, but always present in spirit. His knitted polos (£155–£185) in merino wool combine Italian yarn with British design sensibility: dark navy with a subtle stripe on the placket, khaki with contrast tipping. The pieces are playful without being loud, detailed without being busy.
Paul Smith is the knitwear choice for men who want personality without performance anxiety. A Gran Sasso polo says “I understand Italian textiles.” A Paul Smith polo says “I understand myself.” Both are valid. Both are excellent quality. The choice is temperament.
Les Deux — Danish Modern
Les Deux is a Copenhagen brand founded in 2009 that applies Scandinavian design principles to menswear. Their knitwear is clean, understated and priced accessibly: wool overshirts (£189), knitted bombers (£169.95) and patched teddy jackets (£179). The Como collection extends into knitted loungewear with coach jacket and trouser sets (£225–£232.50).
Les Deux knitwear tends toward a relaxed fit with natural colourways — dark sand, laurel oak, dark navy. It is the choice for men who dress in neutrals and want their knitwear to blend rather than stand out. The quality is solid, the design is considered and the price sits below BOSS and Paul Smith.
How to Care for Knitwear
- Fold, never hang. Hanging stretches knitwear at the shoulders. Always fold and stack on a shelf or in a drawer.
- Wash infrequently. Quality knitwear does not need washing after every wear. Air it after use. Spot-clean stains. Full wash only when genuinely needed.
- Cold or 30°C, gentle cycle. For merino and cotton knits. Use a mesh laundry bag. Skip the fabric softener — it coats fibres and reduces breathability.
- Hand wash cashmere. Cold water, cashmere-specific detergent. Soak for 15 minutes, squeeze gently (never wring), roll in a towel, lay flat to dry.
- De-pill regularly. Use a fabric comb or electric de-piller every few weeks. Pilling is natural with natural fibres — it is not a defect, it is loose fibres working free of the yarn.
- Store with cedar. Cedar balls or cedar rings in the drawer deter moths naturally without chemical sprays.
Our Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best men’s knitwear brand?
For pure quality and Italian craftsmanship, Gran Sasso is unmatched. Their extra-fine merino and cashmere blends set the standard. BOSS delivers consistent German quality at a broader price range. Paul Smith adds British personality. Les Deux offers Scandinavian minimalism at accessible prices.
Is Gran Sasso worth the price?
Yes. Gran Sasso has been producing knitwear in Italy since 1952. Their pieces are fully fashioned (shaped on the machine, not cut from flat fabric), which means fewer seams, a better drape and a garment that holds its shape for years. The extra-fine merino feels noticeably different from mass-produced alternatives.
Can I machine wash merino wool knitwear?
Most merino wool knitwear can be machine washed at 30°C on a delicate cycle inside a mesh laundry bag. Do not tumble dry — lay flat or hang to dry. Avoid fabric softener. Cashmere requires hand washing only.
What is the difference between Italian and British knitwear?
Italian knitwear (Gran Sasso) uses finer-gauge yarns and lighter construction, designed for layering and year-round wear. British knitwear traditions lean heavier — chunky cables, Shetland wool, fisherman sweaters. Paul Smith bridges the two with Italian yarn and British design. The Italian approach dominates modern menswear because it is more versatile.
Do you stock knitwear in-store?
Yes. We carry Gran Sasso, BOSS, Paul Smith and Les Deux knitwear at OD’s Designer Clothing, 44 Barrow Street, St Helens. Feeling the fabric in person is the best way to understand the difference between brands. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm.