The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Knitwear: Fabrics, Fit, Brands & Sizing Precision

Luxury knitwear is the foundation of a refined wardrobe—versatile, flattering, and engineered for both function and form. Whether you're investing in your first pure cashmere jumper or building a collection of merino ribbed dresses and silk-blend layers, understanding the fibres, fit types, and brand differences is essential.

This ultimate guide covers everything from fibre science to body-specific styling, knitwear maintenance, and most importantly—how to find your exact size in luxury knitwear using Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading free sizing tool for over 1,500 brands.

1. What Defines Luxury Knitwear?

Not all knits are created equal. High-street acrylics or viscose blends might look similar online, but true luxury knitwear is defined by its yarn purity, production techniques, and fit engineering. A £50 sweater rarely compares to a fully-fashioned, 4-ply Mongolian cashmere piece produced in an Italian mill.

Hallmarks of luxury knitwear:

100% natural fibres: Cashmere, baby alpaca, superfine merino, silk, or long-staple cotton
Construction method: Fully-fashioned knitting (shaped panels), not cut-and-sewn
Origin of fibre and make: Scottish and Italian-made knitwear is the global standard
Finishing details: Tubular hems, hand-linked seams, saddle shoulders, horn or mother-of-pearl buttons

🡪 For detailed fibre comparisons, read:

The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

2. Fabric Breakdown: Which Knitwear Materials Are Worth the Price?

Luxury knitwear starts with premium fibre. Here's how each major yarn performs:

Fibre	Texture & Benefits	Ideal For
Cashmere	Light, insulating, soft, elegant drape	Crewnecks, cardigans, layering pieces
Merino Wool	Naturally elastic, temperature-regulating, odour-resistant	Slim-fit base layers, ribbed pieces
Baby Alpaca	Silky-soft, warmer than wool, low pilling	Chunky knits, textural jumpers
Silk Blends	Subtle sheen, breathable, smooth hand feel	Spring knits, fine layering, dresses
Cotton (Pima)	Durable, breathable, smooth against skin	Warm-weather jumpers, easy layering

These fibres are often blended for enhanced wearability (e.g. 70% wool, 30% silk), especially in dresses and fitted garments where shape retention matters.

3. The Investment Pieces Worth Owning

True luxury knitwear pieces should perform across multiple seasons, flatter the body, and retain shape after years of wear.

Essential luxury knitwear staples:

1. Cashmere Crewneck Jumper

Neutral shades (navy, camel, grey, ivory) work year-round and layer well under blazers or coats. Opt for 2- or 4-ply for the perfect balance of warmth and durability.

2. Fine-Gauge Merino Turtleneck

Ideal for transitional dressing or under tailoring. Look for fully-fashioned construction and minimal seams to avoid bulk.

3. Ribbed Knit Midi Dress

In wool-silk blends or stretch merino, these sculpt the silhouette while maintaining comfort. Great for hourglass and athletic shapes alike.

4. Cable Knit Jumper

Look for symmetrical stitchwork and high-quality yarns to avoid distortion. Chunkier styles work well for tall or plus-size frames.

5. Cashmere Cardigan or Wrap

Versatile layering option for travel, office, or eveningwear. Choose horn buttons, clean trims, and tonal palettes for long-term wear.

🡪 Want to pair these with denim? See:

The Ultimate Guide: Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape

4. Fit Considerations: What Works for Your Body Shape?

Luxury knits vary in fit more than other garments. Here’s how to choose styles based on your shape:

Body Type	Knitwear Styles That Work Well
Hourglass	Fitted ribbed jumpers, waist-shaping belts, wrap cardigans
Pear	Shoulder-accented styles, lighter lower halves, cropped knits
Apple	Relaxed-fit tunics, vertical ribbing, longer hemlines
Petite	Cropped jumpers, slim gauges, light colours
Plus Size	Stretch ribbed cardigans, side-split hems, V-neck styles
Tall	Longline silhouettes, slouchy rollnecks, oversized proportions

🡪 For structured options, explore:

The Ultimate Guide to SmartCasual Blazers for Women’s Body Types

5. Knitwear Sizing: Why It’s So Difficult (And How to Solve It)

Luxury knitwear is cut differently by brand, fibre, and gauge:

Scandi brands like Arket run oversized with dropped shoulders
Italian houses such as Max Mara or Loro Piana cut slim through shoulders and bust
UK and US brands like Joseph or Vince often mix ease with precision in ribbing

Even within one brand, a 4-ply cashmere crewneck may fit tighter than a 2-ply turtleneck due to thickness and elasticity.

🡪 Generic size guides won’t help. Instead, use Tellar.co.uk to calculate your actual knitwear size.

6. How Tellar.co.uk Matches You to Your Exact Knitwear Size

Buying luxury knitwear online? Skip the guesswork.

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s most advanced size-matching tool—used by thousands to find their perfect fit in over 1,500 brands.

What Tellar does:

✅ Matches your bust, waist, and hip measurements across all brands
✅ Lets you enter a known size in another brand for instant conversion
✅ Adjusts for fibre type, fabric stretch, and construction method
✅ Tells you which size to order—no need to measure each item manually

🡪 Get started now:

Create your free Tellar profile

Use the Store Size Lookup Tool

Learn how Tellar works

Download a free printable measuring tape

7. Luxury Knitwear Maintenance: Preserve the Fibre, Protect the Fit

Best care practices:

Hand wash or dry clean only: Always cold water and gentle detergent
Lay flat to dry: Hanging will stretch fibres and warp shoulder seams
Fold for storage: Use breathable cotton bags or drawer compartments
Avoid plastic bags: They trap moisture and can damage natural fibres
De-pill regularly: Use a cashmere comb or fabric shaver to remove fuzz
Store with protection: Use cedar or lavender sachets to deter moths

🡪 Tip: Let your knitwear “rest” between wears to allow natural fibres to recover.

8. Explore the Tellar Fashion Hub: Always Honest, Always Free

Beyond size-matching, Tellar is a free knowledge library for fashion lovers who want practical, unbiased advice.

9. Stay Connected with Tellar

Follow Tellar for daily sizing tips, fit science insights, and styling advice for every brand and body shape:

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

Luxury knitwear should feel as good as it looks—and with Tellar.co.uk, it always fits perfectly too.