John Smedley has been producing the world’s finest knitwear for 225 years. There at the birth of the industrial revolution and still a family business now in its 8th generation, John Smedley has been manufacturing in Matlock, Derbyshire since the beginning.
The company was founded in 1784, at Lea Mills. Lea Bridge provided an ideal setting for the mill as the brook which ran through the village provided motive power and a constant source of running water. Even today they still draw water from their own three underground springs, rising from the millstone grit of the Derbyshire Peak National Park. The softness and purity of the water translates into the luxurious touch of the garments, as well as their shrink-resistance.
Signature knitwear is produced in two categories: New Zealand merino wool and John Smedley's sea island cotton. John Smedley are renowned for knitting fully-fashioned, fine-gauge products, mostly 30 gauge, an ultra lightweight fine knit that is rarely produced by other manufacturers. Once knitted, the body panels and sleeves are linked together by hand, stitch for stitch, to create the impeccable neat seams which remain one of the hallmarks of their knitwear.
As a true men’s wear classic every man should own a grey John Smedley v-neck in merino wool. It's a fine knit which requires little care instructions, comes out of the washing machine perfect everytime.
Bobby - £118