Designer knitwear: the guide to brands, materials and fitDesigner knitwear: the guide to brands, materials and fit

A jumper is the item you get the most use out of and think about the least. From October to March you wear one almost daily, and yet it is usually bought in five minutes. That's a shame, because the difference between a jumper that sags after two seasons and one you still wear in five years comes down to three things: the material, the knit and the fit.

This guide covers all three, and lists the brands most in demand in the Netherlands. Whether you're after a technical Stone Island knit, a classic Ralph Lauren cable jumper or something more minimal from AMI Paris.

TL;DR: Look at the material first (merino wool for everyday, cashmere for luxury, cotton for the in-between season), then the gauge or knit density, and only then the brand. A fine-gauge merino wool jumper is more versatile than a chunky cable knit, even though the latter looks more luxurious.

Which material should you choose?

This is the most important decision, and the one most often skipped. The material determines how warm the jumper is, how it hangs, how it ages and how much care it needs.

Merino wool

The best all-rounder. Merino wool comes from the merino sheep and has far finer fibres than ordinary sheep's wool, so it doesn't itch. It regulates temperature, so you don't overheat when you come indoors, and it barely absorbs odour: you can easily wear a merino jumper for a week before it needs washing.

If you buy one designer jumper, buy this one. It works under a jacket, over a shirt and on its own with jeans.

Cashmere

Cashmere comes from the cashmere goat and is warmer and softer per gram than wool. It is also more fragile: cashmere pills faster and stretches if you store it wrong. Never hang a cashmere jumper on a hanger, fold it.

With cashmere, check the ply, the number of threads twisted together. Two-ply is the standard for a good jumper; single-ply is lighter, thinner and noticeably shorter-lived. Brands don't always state this, but you can feel the weight immediately.

Cotton and cotton blends

For the in-between season. A cotton jumper is less warm than wool but breathes better and never itches. Ideal for September and April, or for indoors. Many streetwear brands work with heavy cotton because it holds the structure of an oversized silhouette better than wool.

Technical blends

Brands like Stone Island and C.P. Company have created a category of their own from wool blended with nylon or other technical fibres. The result is a jumper that's warm but also blocks wind, and that looks unlike anything from a classic knitwear rail. More expensive, but the most distinctive.

Gauge: why one jumper looks thicker than another

Gauge is the number of stitches per inch. The higher the number, the finer and denser the knit.

Fine gauge is smooth and thin. It fits under a blazer or jacket without bulking, and reads more formal. This is what you want when the jumper is a layer in an outfit rather than the main event.

Low gauge is the chunky cable knit, the fisherman's jumper, the heavy roll neck. Warmer, and immediately the most eye-catching thing you're wearing. Wear it loose, with a simple trouser underneath and nothing else competing for attention.

Most people own too much of the second and too little of the first. A fine merino jumper in navy or charcoal is the one you'll reach for most.

The brands that matter in the Netherlands

Stone Island

The most in-demand knitwear brand in the Netherlands, and not only for the compass badge. Stone Island makes knitwear with the same technical bent as its jackets: piece-dyed pieces, unusual yarn blends and constructions you won't see anywhere else. Browse the Stone Island knitwear.

Ralph Lauren

The classic. Cable knits, shawl collars, the merino half-zip. Ralph Lauren is the safe choice in the best sense: the fit is predictable, the quality consistent and the design doesn't date. Browse the Ralph Lauren knitwear.

AMI Paris

French, minimal, and the brand for anyone who wants a logo that doesn't shout. The Ami de Coeur heart is subtle enough to wear anywhere. The fit is generally roomier than Italian brands. Browse the AMI Paris knitwear.

C.P. Company

The technical counterpart to Stone Island, with the same Italian origin: both brands grew out of the work of Massimo Osti. C.P. Company is a little more restrained, more about detail than statement. Browse the C.P. Company knitwear.

Isabel Marant

For anyone after a jumper with a silhouette rather than just warmth. Marant works heavily with oversized shapes, mohair and asymmetry. Browse the Isabel Marant knitwear.

Carlo Colucci

A brand with its own following. Graphic cable patterns, heavy knits and a recognisability you can spot from ten metres away. Wearing Carlo Colucci is a deliberate choice. Browse the Carlo Colucci knitwear.

What's new for autumn and winter 2026?

Two things define the season.

The first is colour. Brown dominates across the board: from deep chocolate and espresso to cognac, caramel and lighter tan tones. That's a shift away from the greys and navies that have been the default for the past few seasons. An espresso-brown jumper is this year's easiest way to look current without doing anything strange.

The second is volume. The AW26 collections lean hard into oversized, layered silhouettes, with an emphasis on protection and structure. For knitwear that means broader shoulders, longer lines and jumpers meant to be worn over things rather than under them.

Alongside brown, deep jewel tones are back: royal purple and blues recurred across several shows. If you want to add one colour piece to an otherwise neutral wardrobe, that's where.

How long should a designer jumper last?

Cared for properly, a two-ply cashmere or merino jumper easily lasts five to ten years. Three things decide that:

Fold, don't hang. A hanger pulls the shoulders out of shape. That's permanent.

Wash less than you think. Wool largely cleans itself by airing. Hang the jumper outside the wardrobe overnight and you often won't need to wash it.

Remove pilling, don't pull it off. Small bobbles are normal on new wool. Use a fabric shaver or a razor, and never pull them loose: that pulls the fibre out of the knit.

Where to start?

If you don't yet have a solid base, start with a fine-gauge merino jumper in a neutral colour. That's the one you'll wear most. Then a chunkier statement piece, and then a cashmere for the occasions that call for it.

Browse the full range at knitwear for men and knitwear and cardigans for women, or explore all designers.