Top Knitwear Brands: Cozy Chic Essentials

As the world embraces the cozy comfort of knitwear, the market has flourished with an array of brands offering the finest selections of this versatile fashion staple. From timeless classics to contemporary edge, knitwear brands cater to every style preference and climate need, ensuring everyone can indulge in their soft, warm embrace. Whether you're in search of a classic cable-knit sweater or an avant-garde knit dress, there's a brand out there crafting just what you need. For a detailed look at some of the best knitwear brands that stand out for their quality and style, see the list below.

Illustration of knitwear

Best brands of knitwear in 2025

Acne Studios

Acne Studios is renowned for its high-quality knitwear, which has been a strong seller for the brand, particularly through luxury retailers like Matchesfashion since 2005. The brand's knitwear, along with its denim, has consistently appealed to customers, contributing to its resilient sales even during the pandemic. In 2021, Acne Studios generated EUR270 million in sales, with knitwear and denim remaining key products. The brand's focus on direct channels has increased, reducing wholesale sales from 40% in 2019 to 25% today, allowing for greater control over pricing and higher margins. Despite the pandemic, Acne Studios has maintained its strong modern identity and profitable growth. For more details, you can visit their official website.

Everlane

Everlane stands out as a pioneering brand in the knitwear industry, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and transparency. The company, founded in 2010 by Michael Preysman and Jesse Farmer, has made significant strides in reducing environmental impact, such as launching the ReCashmere collection, which halves the carbon footprint of traditional cashmere sweaters by using recycled cashmere blended with virgin merino wool. Everlane's radical transparency includes disclosing production costs, labor, transport, and raw material expenses, setting a margin typically around 2-3 times the cost of manufacturing, far lower than the 7-8 times margin of traditional retailers. The brand's focus on ethical production is evident in its partnership with suppliers like MAS Holdings, which offers women's health initiatives and financial planning training to its largely female workforce. With a record profit of nearly $8 million in 2023 on over $200 million in sales, Everlane continues to push towards its goal of becoming a billion-dollar brand. For more details, visit the official Everlane website.

Chinti & Parker

Chinti & Parker, founded in 2009 by cousins Anna Singh and Rachael Wood, is a renowned British premium fashion brand celebrated for its luxurious and sustainably crafted women's knitwear. The brand uses the finest materials, including soft cashmere, merino wools, and organic cotton, and employs innovative techniques like low-impact dyeing and circular knitting to minimize its environmental footprint. Known for its playful yet sophisticated designs, Chinti & Parker has garnered a loyal following among fashion elites such as Alexa Chung, Olivia Palermo, and Gwyneth Paltrow. With a revenue of $2 million and a global presence through over 100 international retailers, the brand continues to stand out for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and timeless luxury. Chinti & Parker's collections are available at prestigious stockists including Selfridges, Harrods, and Neiman Marcus.

Johnstons of Elgin

Johnstons of Elgin is a renowned luxury knitwear and textile manufacturer with over 226 years of tradition and expertise, founded in 1797 by Alexander Johnston. The company, which has mills in Elgin and Hawick, Scotland, has seen a significant recovery from the pandemic, with sales rising by 28% in one year to reach PS66 million and a pre-tax profit of nearly PS4 million in 2022. Known for its high-quality cashmere and wool products, Johnstons of Elgin employs around 1000 people and is recognized for its sustainable development, having been awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2021. The company uses traditional and modern techniques to produce its luxurious items, including 200 tonnes of raw cashmere transformed each year. Johnstons of Elgin supplies fabrics to luxury brands like Burberry and Louis Vuitton and also produces under its own brand. For more insights into their commitment to quality and innovation, visit their official website.

The Row

The Row, founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in 2006, has established itself as a prominent player in the luxury fashion industry, particularly excelling in the knitwear segment. The brand is known for its minimalist aesthetic and "quiet luxury" niche, with a significant portion of its revenue generated from knitwear and other apparel categories. Only 16 percent of its products are available at discount, compared to an average of 50 percent for other luxury labels, indicating its resistance to markdowns. The Row's inventory has grown 9 percent year-over-year, and it generates between $100 and $200 million in annual sales, with a notable portion coming from online sales, which have seen a 175% growth from September 2023 to September 2024. The brand's valuation has been estimated at approximately $1 billion, reflecting its strong market position. For a detailed analysis of The Row's performance, you can read the comprehensive report.

Theory

Theory is a renowned fashion brand, launched in New York in 1997, known for its sleek designs and innovative use of premium stretch fabric, making it a standout in the knitwear market. With over 442 stores globally as of August 2024, Theory continues to expand its presence, particularly in Asia through its partnership with Link International, a subsidiary of Fast Retailing Co. The brand's focus on comfort and style has contributed to its success, with global sales approaching $1 billion as of 2021. Theory's knitwear collections are highly regarded for their quality and fit, catering to both men and women. The brand's growth is aligned with the expanding knitwear market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.5% from 2024 to 2031.

Vince

Vince Holding Corp. is renowned for its high-quality knitwear, offering women's and men's ready-to-wear, footwear, and accessories through various channels, including 47 full-price retail stores, 15 outlet stores, and its e-commerce site. As of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, Vince operated 63 company-operated stores and had a significant presence in over 40 countries with around 2,000 points of distribution. The company's gross margin averages 46.9%, and it has partnerships with major retailers like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, which represented 33.7% of its revenue in 2018. Vince has also optimized its inventory flow, reducing supply chain costs by streamlining logistics with key partners. The brand continues to focus on improving financial metrics, including increasing gross and operating margins.

Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli is renowned as one of the premier producers of high-quality knitwear, particularly in cashmere, with a strong global presence. In 2022, the brand saw a 29% increase in turnover to 919.48 million euros, driven by significant growth in the American market (40.5%), Asia (28.1%), and Europe (20.8%). The company's focus on higher-end consumers and limited exposure to the Chinese market has helped it buck industry trends, with a 12.7% revenue increase in the first nine months of 2024. Brunello Cucinelli's commitment to craftsmanship and environmental respect has earned it prestigious awards, including the "Designer of the Year" from GQ magazine and the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award. The brand is forecasting a 10% revenue growth for 2024 and subsequent years, reflecting its strong market position.

Reformation

Reformation is a pioneering sustainable fashion brand that has been at the forefront of eco-friendly clothing since its inception in 2009. Known for its commitment to reducing environmental impact, Reformation aims to slash its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 compared to 2021 levels. Despite a recent increase in direct emissions, the company's products still save 69% in carbon dioxide usage and 49% in water usage compared to other brands. Reformation's knitwear, including cashmere sweaters, is part of its limited-edition collections released every week, showcasing the brand's ability to balance style with sustainability. The company has been profitable every year since 2016, reaching $350 million in revenue in 2023. For more information, visit Reformation's official website.

Uniqlo

Uniqlo has established itself as a leading producer of high-quality knitwear, known for its innovative fabrics such as HeatTech, AIRism, and UV Cut, which offer unique functional performance. The brand's focus on in-house product planning, design, manufacturing, and distribution enables it to respond quickly to customer needs and maintain cost efficiency. As of 2019, Uniqlo operated over 2,250 stores in 25 countries, with a significant presence in Asia, Europe, and the US. The brand's knitwear is praised for its softness and lack of pilling, achieved through the use of large flat-bed knitting machines and bulk yarn purchases. Uniqlo's global revenue for the year ending 2020 was USD 22 billion, with Japan contributing 38% of the total. For more details, explore their official website.