Men's jumpers, knitwear and cardigans

Men's jumpers, knitwear and cardigans from Hackett London carry the same tailoring instinct as the suiting — clean lines, honest materials, nothing that dates within a season.

What runs through the range

The men's knitwear collection covers crew necks, roll necks, cardigans and zip-front styles, built primarily from lambswool, merino and cotton depending on the weight required. Since Hackett London opened on King's Road in 1983, wool content has never been diluted with synthetic fibre in the outer shell of its knitwear, a standard that keeps the hand-feel and warmth consistent across the range. A fine 7-gauge knit, meaning seven stitches per inch, gives the lighter jumpers enough structure to wear under a jacket without adding bulk.

Heavier styles move to a 3-gauge chunky knit, a looser stitch count that suits standalone wear through the coldest months. Merino wool, taken from a finer fibre than standard lambswool, is softer against the skin and less prone to the itch heavier wool can cause at the collar.

Choosing a knit for the season

Lightweight cotton and cotton-cashmere blends carry a men's jumper through early autumn, while pure lambswool and merino take over once temperatures drop properly. Layering is where knitwear earns its keep — over a shirt collar for the office, under a jacket for the evening.

A navy merino crew neck under a stone unstructured jacket with grey trousers, for an office day that stays sharp without a tie.
The same jumper over an open-collar shirt with dark denim for an evening that doesn't need the jacket at all.

How to care for wool knitwear

Hand washing or a wool-specific machine cycle protects the fibre structure of knitwear far better than a standard wash, which can felt and shrink wool permanently. Folding rather than hanging keeps jumpers from stretching out of shape at the shoulders over time.

What's the difference between lambswool and merino?

Lambswool comes from a sheep's first shearing and has a slightly coarser, more textured hand-feel, while merino is spun from a finer fibre that feels softer against the skin. Merino also regulates temperature more effectively, making it suited to both cool and mild days. Lambswool tends to hold its shape marginally better over years of wear.

How should wool jumpers be washed?

A wool-specific cycle at 30°C or hand washing in cool water protects the fibre from felting, which happens when heat and agitation cause wool fibres to interlock permanently. Laying the jumper flat to dry, rather than hanging it, prevents the weight of the wet fabric from stretching the shoulders. Dry cleaning is also suitable for cashmere blends.

What knitwear works best for layering under a jacket?

A fine 7-gauge knit in merino or lambswool sits closely enough to the body to avoid bulk under tailoring, unlike a chunky 3-gauge style built for standalone wear. Crew necks layer more easily than roll necks under a jacket collar. Cotton-cashmere blends offer a lighter option for milder days that still call for a jacket.