‘Tis the season for hearty fires, hot, spicy ciders and – best of all – good-looking layers that thaw out any suggestion of a freeze on your winter style. Staying warm always looks cool when you invest in the right staples. And there’s nothing better to wrap up in than the new autumn/winter collection from one of the heroes of homegrown, British menswear. Based in Long Eaton, near Nottingham, Sunspel has been handcrafting clothing for more than 150 years, using its own natural, sustainable, high-quality fabrics. The brand is particularly well known for its knitwear, T-shirts and underwear (James Bond’s favourite tees are Sunspel, in case you need any more persuading). Sunspel’s autumn/winter collection is faithful to what its loyal wearers already love about the brand – understated, comfortable and ethically produced clothes that transcend not just the seasons, but traditional and contemporary, indoors and outdoors, smart and casual. And unlike your run-of-the-mill autumn/winter collections, it’s about more than seasonal greys and browns.
The collection is the product of a literal journey – a made-in-Britain road trip undertaken by Sunspel’s design team. Taking their cue from the brand’s own specialist factory, they hit the road to visit some of the best and most historic factories and mills on the British Isles, finding inspiration in the very best in colour, technique, cashmere and great British wool. The tour began with a 17th century yarn miller in the Pennines, took in Hull, Hawick, Delph, and ended with a historic cashmere spinner in Kincross. These may not be places that immediately spring to mind as leaders in the fashion world, but they are home to some of Britain’s best textile craftsmanship. The resulting collection includes contemporary English wool Aran knits and Fair Isles, luxurious Scottish cashmere, and super-soft lambswool. These are wear-forever pieces born from a back-to-basics approach – fitting for a company with such a rich history of textiles – but one that also matches Sunspel’s long-held commitment to innovation. Below is our pick of the collection, all with 30 per cent off.
The FashionBeans Edit
Cavendish Long Sleeve T-Shirt
This looks like a lightweight shirt for the warmer season, but the relaxed long staple cotton is a heavier ‘winter weight’ – a warming, comfortable fit that’s perfect in a layered cold-weather outfit, with an easy-to-match ribbed neckline. Buy Now: £73.50
Extra Fine Merino Wool Check Scarf
Be kind to your neckline this winter and invest in this fine merino wool scarf. With a soft and lightweight construction that makes it wearable well into spring, it offers a pop of pattern and colour under a more muted navy or grey overcoat. Buy Now: £63.00
Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper
Here’s a prime example of an item inspired by Sunspel’s British road trip – a crew neck jumper with cashmere sourced from a historic Edinburgh-based spinner and a traditional knitter at the Scottish Borders. It’s a loose fit and as soft as you’d expect from finest quality cashmere. Wear it with anything from tailoring to denim. Buy Now: £262.50
Cavendish T-Shirt
A great T-shirt is a great T-shirt, whatever season it is. And if there’s something Sunspel knows about, it’s how to make a tee you’ll want to wear every day. Don’t be fooled by the short sleeves. Like its long-sleeved namesake, the winter weight of this Cavendish shirt makes it a perfect winter base layer. Buy Now: £63.00
Cashmere Rib Hat
This cashmere beanie is a powerful tool to have in your winter wardrobe, keeping your messy hair under wraps and away from the brittle winter chill, while remaining so lightweight you won’t even realise it’s there. Until the compliments roll in, at least. Buy Now: £59.50
Fine Merino Wool Milano Jacket
Buying a new coat is one of the all-time silver linings of winter. But here’s an item that’s midway between coat and shirt – made from luxury Italian yarns and knitted with the compact Milano-style stitch. It’s a great example of how Sunspel bridges the gap between formal and casual – smart, effortless, and comfortable to wear. Buy Now: £171.50
Lambswool Crew Neck Jumper
Channel the lochs of Scotland with this balmy white and navy striped jumper innovatively knitted for zero seams and then delicately washed with that famous Scottish water, for an impeccably soft and lightweight lambswool. Buy Now: £157.50
Lambswool Crew Neck Jumper
Even with all the Christmas illuminations and tinsel strewn around, the depths of winter can still be a rather dull and colourless place to be. Cut through the grey with some statement knitwear. More specifically, this vibrant tumeric-coloured lambswool crew neck – the perfect accompaniment to everything from jeans and trainers to wool tailoring and your warmest overcoat. Buy Now: £136.50
Lambswool Reverse Fair Isle Jumper
Wearing a novelty Christmas jumper isn’t a move that anyone with a modicum of style nous would advocate. So what can you do if you want to embrace the festive spirit in knitwear form? Easy, slap on this Scottish-made Fair Isle crew neck from the masters of subtle quality. Buy Now: £206.50
Shop our Made in Britain edit now with 30 per cent off all styles at sunspel.com
