Honest & Unsponsored Best Buys: Merino Wool Sweaters

Right, let's talk merino wool sweaters. After twenty-odd years working with men's wardrobes, I can tell you with absolute certainty that a quality merino jumper is one of the smartest investments you'll make. Not the sexiest purchase, granted—but bloody essential.

Why Merino Actually Matters

Here's the thing most blokes don't realise: not all knitwear is created equal. That scratchy wool jumper your aunt bought you at Christmas? Nothing like merino. This stuff comes from merino sheep (obviously), and the fibres are incredibly fine—we're talking microns, not the coarse wool that makes you itch like mad.

The technical bit: merino fibres are naturally crimped, which creates tiny air pockets. These regulate temperature brilliantly, meaning you stay warm when it's cold and surprisingly cool when it heats up. It's also naturally moisture-wicking, so you won't get that clammy feeling you get with synthetic materials or heavy cotton. And here's the kicker—it's naturally odour-resistant. I've had clients wear the same merino piece three days running (fresh t-shirt underneath, obviously) without any whiff.

What To Look For When Shopping

The weight matters enormously. Lightweight merino (around 190gsm) works as a base layer or under blazers. Midweight (250gsm) is your versatile everyday jumper. Heavyweight (300gsm+) is for proper cold weather. Most brands don't advertise the weight, which is maddening, but you can usually tell by feel and price point.

Pay attention to the knit structure too. A fine gauge knit (more stitches per inch) looks dressier and works under tailoring. Chunkier knits are more casual but often more durable. For most blokes, a fine to medium gauge crewneck or V-neck in navy, charcoal, or oatmeal will see you through 80% of situations.

Styling Your Merino Sweater

The beauty of a good merino jumper is its versatility. Layer it over an Oxford shirt with chinos for smart-casual that actually works—I see so many men get this wrong by choosing jumpers that are too bulky or the wrong length. Your jumper should sit just past your belt, no longer. If you can see bunching at the waist, it's too big.

For casual wear, throw it over a plain white or grey t-shirt. The key is keeping the underlayer simple—this isn't the time for graphic tees or busy patterns. Dark denim or moleskin trousers work brilliantly here. Add white trainers or desert boots and you're sorted.

In the office, a fine gauge merino under a blazer is infinitely better than a cardigan, which can look a bit geography teacher if you're not careful. The trick is ensuring the jumper sits smoothly—no lumps or bulk around the shoulders. If your blazer feels tight with a jumper underneath, the jumper's too thick or the blazer's too fitted.

The Brands Worth Your Money

Let me walk you through the brands I actually recommend to clients, across different budgets. These are all stocked widely in the UK, and I've seen the quality firsthand.

High Street Heroes

Uniqlo does a superb extra fine merino range that punches well above its weight. Their crewnecks run around £30-40, and honestly, for that money, you won't find better. The fit is decent—though watch sizing, as they can run slightly small—and the quality is remarkably consistent. They offer a good colour range too, which matters when you're building a capsule wardrobe. The only downside is durability; you'll get maybe two seasons of regular wear before pilling becomes noticeable.

Marks & Spencer has really upped their game with their Autograph merino collection. Around £45-65, you're getting pure merino in classic colours. The fit is reliably good for the average British build—not too slim, not too boxy. What I particularly rate is their attention to detail with things like reinforced elbows and proper ribbing at the cuffs and hem. These actually last, which is more than I can say for a lot of high street knitwear.

COS sits at the higher end of high street (£75-95) but delivers minimalist Scandinavian design that looks far more expensive than it is. Their merino has a beautiful hand-feel, and the cuts are modern without being trendy. Perfect if you want something clean and unfussy that'll still look current in five years. They're particularly good at unusual but wearable colours—think muted sage, warm terracotta, that sort of thing.

Independent & Boutique Brands

Asket is a Swedish brand that's all about transparency and sustainability. Their merino jumpers (around £95-125) are built to last, with reinforced stress points and a timeless cut. What sets them apart is their permanent collection approach—no seasonal nonsense, just well-made staples. They're very transparent about their supply chain too, if that matters to you. The fit is trim but not skinny, ideal for the athletic build.

Folk makes quietly excellent knitwear that flies under the radar. Expect to pay £120-160, but you're getting interesting design details—unusual necklines, subtle texture variations, contemporary proportions—without veering into fashion victim territory. It's the sort of stuff that looks understated but draws compliments from people with taste. Their merino tends towards the midweight, making it properly versatile across seasons.

Designer & Luxury Options

John Smeaton offers Italian-made merino that's absolute top drawer. We're talking £180-250, but the quality is undeniable. The yarns are noticeably finer, the construction is impeccable, and the fit is refined without being restrictive. These are jumpers you'll still be wearing in a decade, possibly longer if you look after them properly. The colour palette is sophisticated—lots of navy, charcoal, and camel tones done beautifully.

Sunspel is British heritage done right. Their merino pieces (£150-220) are beautifully crafted with attention to detail that's increasingly rare. They specialise in fine gauge knits that work brilliantly under tailoring, and their fit is spot-on for most body types. What I particularly rate is their Sea Island cotton/merino blends, which offer even better temperature regulation if you run warm.

Loro Piana sits at the luxury end (£400+), and yes, that's a lot of money for a jumper. But their merino is genuinely exceptional—incredibly soft, supremely durable, and cut with Italian precision. If you're building a permanent wardrobe of investment pieces, this is where you put your money. Their fit is elegant without being tight, and the quality of construction means these genuinely become better with age rather than wearing out.

Care Basics (Because Most Blokes Get This Wrong)

Hand wash in cool water or use the wool cycle on your machine. Use proper wool detergent, not regular stuff. Never, ever tumble dry—lay flat to dry instead, otherwise you'll end up with a jumper for a toddler. Store folded, never on hangers, as hanging stretches the shoulders. A fabric shaver is your friend for removing pills without damaging the fibres.

Where Tellar Changes Everything

Now, here's where things get interesting. The biggest headache with buying knitwear—especially online—is sizing. Brands are wildly inconsistent. You might be a medium in Uniqlo but need a large in COS. It's maddening, and it leads to endless returns, wasted time, and jumpers that don't fit properly.

This is precisely why I started recommending Tellar.co.uk to every client. It's a free sizing tool that's genuinely transformed how I work. Here's how it works: you measure yourself once—just bust, waist, and hip measurements, which takes about two minutes using their simple guide at https://www.tellar.co.uk/how-to-measure/men. Alternatively, if you know your size in a brand that fits you well, you can use that as your starting point.

Then you use their Store Size Lookup tool at https://www.tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/men to get your precise size in any brand they cover—and they've got over 1,500 brands in their database. COS, Reiss, Uniqlo, John Smedley, the lot. No more guessing, no more consulting size guides that tell you nothing useful, no more ordering three sizes and returning two.

The difference this makes is massive. You shop with actual confidence. You know before you click 'buy' that the jumper will fit properly. Fewer returns means less hassle, lower environmental impact, and crucially, you end up with pieces that actually work in your wardrobe.

It's completely free, works in your browser (no app to download), and it's honestly one of the most useful tools I've come across in years of working in this industry. The fact that it's UK-based and covers British brands properly is the cherry on top.

Beyond the sizing tool, Tellar has built a Fashion Hub—essentially a library of free posts from experienced stylists covering everything from building a capsule wardrobe to specific buying guides. It's honest, unbiased, and independent. No sponsored content, no affiliate links trying to push you towards particular products. Just straightforward advice from people who actually know what they're talking about.

If you want more guidance on building a versatile wardrobe, check out their posts on smart-casual dressing at https://www.tellar.co.uk/admin/posts/editor/menswear-the-secret-to-smart-casual-comfortable or their comprehensive jeans buying guide at https://www.tellar.co.uk/admin/posts/editor/best-men-s-jeans-brands-high-street-premium-designer. There's also an excellent starter guide for nailing casual style at https://www.tellar.co.uk/admin/posts/editor/start-how-to-do-casual-style-well-menswear-brands-styling-tips.

Final Thoughts

Look, a good merino wool sweater isn't exciting. It's not going to transform your entire wardrobe overnight. But it's one of those foundational pieces that makes everything else work better. Buy the best quality you can afford, stick to classic colours, and get the sizing right—which is far easier now with tools like Tellar.

Your future self, standing in front of the wardrobe on a cold Tuesday morning, will thank you for investing in proper merino rather than that cheap acrylic nonsense that'll be bobbled and shapeless after three wears. Trust me on this one.