Womenswear
Classic British-Made Women's Cardigans — Voted by the Community
This directory lists 21 brands that make classic women's cardigans in the UK. They are most often based in London, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire. Prices run from affordable to luxury. Ranked by community upvotes.
Carnwear
SupporterCarnwear produce hand crafted and made to order knitwear, designed and made in their West Cornwall studio. Their collection features transeasonal knitted garments for men & women as well as a selection of hats, scarves and hand warmers.
Carrier Company
Carrier Company is a family-run British brand crafting sustainable clothing and equipment since 1995. Each piece is handcrafted using locally sourced materials, inspired by North Norfolk’s traditions of gardening and foraging.
- Classic
- Country
- Ethical
Shop to visit- Classic
- Country
- Ethical
See these brands on the map33 places from 16 brands, 18 of them shops you can visit.Open the map
The Croft House
The Croft House specialises in high quality Scottish knitwear made sustainably in Scotland. Founded in 2012, it is the first B Corp Certified wool knitwear brand in Scotland. For those who value quality, heritage and responsibility.
John Smedley
John Smedley is the world's oldest manufacturing factory, established in 1784. They produce high-quality knitwear with a "Made in England" tag on every garment.
- Classic
- Heritage
- Timeless
Factory shop- Classic
- Heritage
- Timeless
Phoebe English
Clothing made in England attempting a variety of solutions towards less extractive fashion systems. Est 2011.
- Bridal
- Casual
- Classic
Shop to visit- Bridal
- Casual
- Classic
Vivien Of Holloway
Vivien of Holloway offers stunning 1940s and 1950s dresses and separates with authentic vintage charm.
- Classic
- Colourful
- Formal
- Classic
- Colourful
- Formal
Community Clothing
Community Clothing is a British brand founded in 2016 by Patrick Grant. They produce affordable, high-quality, seasonless staples in the UK, supporting local factories and minimising waste.
- Casual
- Classic
- Ethical
- Casual
- Classic
- Ethical
Johnstons Of Elgin
Johnstons of Elgin is a British family-owned luxury brand, Made in Scotland since 1797, renowned for exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design.
- Classic
- Heritage
- Timeless
Factory shop- Classic
- Heritage
- Timeless
- Michael Ross
Michael Ross
Michael Ross is a British hand-framed knitwear brand established in 1979, crafting unique Fair Isle designs with original patterns and colourways.
- Classic
- Fairisle
- Heritage
- Classic
- Fairisle
- Heritage
Sims Wear
Sims Wear crafts timeless British menswear using top-quality natural fibres, made to last. Discover elevated wardrobe essentials, knitted-to-order in the UK.
- Classic
- Ethical
- Timeless
- Classic
- Ethical
- Timeless
Begg × Co
Begg × Co crafts luxury cashmere scarves, knitwear and homeware using traditional Scottish craftsmanship and responsible production methods.
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Heritage
Factory shop- Classic
- Contemporary
- Heritage
Draper of Glastonbury
Draper of Glastonbury is a family-run business since 1937. They specialise in handmade sheepskin products such as boots, slippers and gloves. The company's products are made from high-quality materials.
- Classic
- Heritage
- Timeless
Factory shop- Classic
- Heritage
- Timeless
Berk
Berk Cashmere, established in 1961, is a British family business known worldwide for understated style and finest cashmere knitwear, hand-made in Scotland by skilled artisans.
- Classic
- Heritage
- Classic
- Heritage
&Daughter
&Daughter is a British independent clothing brand rooted in family heritage and craftsmanship. Their knitwear celebrates legacy, quality, and sustainability, with pieces made to last using traditional methods and natural yarns.
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Heritage
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Heritage
Moloh
Moloh is a luxury British fashion brand known for its distinctly British style and playful self-expression.
- Classic
- Country
- Vintage
Shop to visit- Classic
- Country
- Vintage
David Nieper
David Nieper is a family-owned British fashion brand based in Derbyshire, creating stylish, comfortable clothing that flatters mature silhouettes.
- Classic
- Timeless
Factory shop- Classic
- Timeless
ROVE Knitwear
ROVE Knitwear, founded in 2013, is an independent British brand specialising in sustainable, long-lasting knitwear made in England using British spun wool.
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Ethical
Factory shop- Classic
- Contemporary
- Ethical
Moda de la Maria
Moda de la Maria is a British independent fashion brand founded in 2019, creating timeless womenswear with a focus on sustainability and craftsmanship.
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Formal
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Formal
HERD
HERD, founded in 2020, crafts sustainable womens knitwear.
- Classic
- Ethical
- Slow Fashion
Shop to visit- Classic
- Ethical
- Slow Fashion
Peregrine Clothing
Peregrine Clothing is a British brand founded in 1796, crafting outdoor clothing and accessories for over two centuries.
- Classic
- Country
- Heritage
- Classic
- Country
- Heritage
Navy Grey
Navygrey is a British knitwear brand focused on timeless, sustainable designs. Known for its high-quality natural wool, the brand emphasizes craftsmanship, eco-conscious production, and classic elegance.
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Ethical
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Ethical
Shops run by brands that make classic women's cardigans
11 of the 21 brands that make classic women's cardigans have a shop you can visit: 4 in London, others in Alfreton, Ayr, Edinburgh and 10 other towns.
Alfreton
David Nieperfactory shop
Ayr
Begg × Cofactory shop
Elgin
Johnstons Of Elginfactory shop
Glastonbury
Draper of Glastonburyfactory shop
Show 8 more townsShow fewer towns
Hawick
Johnstons Of Elginfactory shop
Holt
Margate
ROVE Knitwearfactory shop
Matlock
John Smedleyfactory shop
Penzance
Carnwearfactory shop
St Andrews
Stow-on-the-Wold
Tetbury
This independent directory lists UK-made clothing brands, and marks those that make only some items here.Why choose British-made?
A Brief History of British Made Cardigans
The cardigan takes its name from James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, the British Army officer who led the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava in 1854, during the Crimean War. The garment was modelled on the knitted wool waistcoat worn by British officers in that war. It began as menswear, and Coco Chanel later helped make it a staple for women with her jersey cardigan suits of the 1910s and 1920s. Knitting in Britain is much older than the cardigan. Hand knitting was well established before machines arrived, and the stocking frame, credited to William Lee of Calverton near Nottingham in 1589, began the mechanisation of the craft. Framework knitting later became a major industry in Nottingham and Leicester, and in the 1750s Jedediah Strutt's Derby rib attachment allowed ribbed fabric to be knitted by machine. British-made cardigans draw on this long knitting tradition, using natural fibres such as wool and established methods suited to a garment made for layering.