A sweater fits well when the shoulders sit right, the sleeves are the correct length and the fabric nowhere pulls or puffs up. Check the fit while you move, too.
Why fit matters so much with knitwear
Knitted fabric stretches and springs back, so a sweater is more forgiving than a woven shirt. That is an advantage, but also a pitfall. A sweater that is too loose or too tight can change the intended fit. A good fit lets the knit fall beautifully.
The fit of knitwear follows different rules than that of a shirt. A fine-knit polo should sit closer to the body than a chunky-knit sweater, and a cardigan should have just a little more room than a pullover. Below we go through the points one by one.
The five checkpoints
- Shoulders: the seam usually sits around the end of your shoulder, unless the style deliberately has a dropped shoulder.
- Chest and back: the fabric lies flat, without wrinkles or pulling. You should be able to cross your arms without the seams straining.
- Sleeves: the sleeve falls to your wrist bone. With fine knit, the edge of the cuff may reach onto your hand; with a thick sweater, the cuff often falls over the wrist.
- Length: the hem rests on your hip or just below. A sweater worn over trousers without a jacket may be slightly longer, and one worn under a jacket shorter.
- Neckline: the neckline should sit comfortably without pulling or gaping.
Fine knit or chunky knit?
The thickness of the fabric determines how much room you need. Fine knit is often worn closer to the body. Chunky knit has more volume of its own.
| Type | How it should fit | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fine knit | Fitted, without being tight | Polo or thin sweater |
| Medium-fine | Just a little roomier around the chest | Sweater with zip or collar |
| Chunky knit | Roomy, with ease in the shoulders | Thick cable-knit sweater |
| Cardigan | Slightly roomier than a pullover | Worn open or closed |
Examples from the collection
Liorah is a cable-knit polo with gold-coloured buttons in navy, made of 80% viscose 20% polyamide. A cable knit has a little more volume, so check that it does not pull across the hips. Josephine is a knitted polo with a V-neck in black, made of 79.9% viscose, 20.1% polyamide. It should fit closely around the chest.
For men, Trenton is an open polo in 100% merino wool in black. An open polo lies flat at the neck, so pay particular attention to the shoulders. Theodore is a fine-knit open polo in 100% lyocell in light grey melange, and Edmund is a polo with a quarter zip in 100% lyocell in light grey melange. With both, the fine knit is suitable to wear under a coat.
Want a cardigan over it? Eleanor is a ribbed knitted cardigan in white, made of 79.9% viscose, 20.1% polyamide. A ribbed structure can give a lot of stretch. Always check the size chart of the specific style.
Fit and personal preference
Which neckline or length feels comfortable differs from person to person. So look not only at your body shape, but also at how you want to wear the sweater: loose, tucked in, under a coat or over a shirt.
How does a sweater relate to the rest of your outfit?
A sweater does not exist on its own. It goes over a shirt, under a coat or above trousers, and those combinations change the ideal fit. If you wear a sweater under a coat, choose a fine knit that does not bulge under the sleeves. If you wear a sweater over a shirt, leave the collar visible and choose a sweater that sits slightly looser at the neck. The length of the sweater changes how the waist and trousers show. Above all, choose what suits the rest of the outfit.
Common mistakes
- Going a size up "to be safe", which makes the shoulders drop down.
- Not checking the sleeve length: a sweater with sleeves that are too short rides up as soon as you lift your arms.
- Washing at too high a temperature, which makes the sweater shrink. Follow the care instructions on the label.
- Heavy knitwear can stretch on a hanger. Store it according to the care advice and preferably folded if the material benefits from it.
A short test at home
Wear the sweater for an hour and move: reach for a high shelf, bend forward and sit down. If it rides up, pinches under the arm or you feel the neckline shifting, it does not fit well. After all, a sweater should not only look good in the mirror, but also in motion. Then take a look at our knitwear for men or knitwear for women to compare other sizes side by side.
Finally, compare the size chart with a sweater you already own that fits well. Measure the width from shoulder to shoulder and the length from the neck to the hem. That gives you a personal reference that is more reliable than the label. Then allow for shrinkage: follow the care instructions and read on our page about merino wool how wool behaves in the wash.
Shop the look
Liorah: cable-knit polo, navy
Josephine: knitted polo with V-neck, black
Trenton: open merino wool polo, black
Theodore: open lyocell polo, light grey melange
Eleanor: ribbed knitted cardigan, white
Edmund: lyocell polo with quarter zip, light grey melange
Frequently asked questions
How much room should there be in a sweater?
There is no fixed amount of room. The fabric should fall freely without pulling, and you should be able to move comfortably.
Where should the shoulder seam sit?
On the edge of your shoulder. If it drops down, the sweater is too big.
How do I know if a sweater is too small?
If it pulls across the chest, the sleeves ride up or the stitches visibly stretch.
Can I exchange or return a sweater?
Check the current return conditions on the returns page.
