Sunspel is an English clothing house founded in 1860 by Thomas Arthur Hill, originally making fine underwear in Nottingham before moving in 1937 to its Long Eaton factory, where it still manufactures. Best known for T-shirts and polos, it also runs a substantial knitwear range in cashmere, lambswool, merino and Shetland, with cashmere spun in Scotland and garments knitted in one piece.
Key facts
- Founded 1860 by Thomas Arthur Hill; manufacturing moved to Long Eaton, Derbyshire, in 1937
- Cashmere yarn is spun in Scotland by one of the country's oldest spinners
- Knitwear pricing runs roughly £275 for lambswool crew necks to about £415 for cashmere
- Bought in 2005 by Nicholas Brooke from the founder's great-grandson
Fibres and construction
Sunspel works principally in Cashmere, Merino wool, Wool, lambswool & Shetland, Sea Island & long-staple cotton. Construction and techniques associated with the house include seamless. It is based in England, whose contribution to luxury knitwear is the fine-gauge knit: extra-fine merino and Sea Island cotton knitted at 24–30 gauge in Derbyshire and the Midlands, a tradition that began with the stocking frame in the 16th century..
How to judge Sunspel quality
- For cashmere pieces, look for a stated micron count or grade, 2-ply yarn for sweaters, and a dense knit with no daylight through plain areas. See the cashmere grading guide.
- Merino quality depends on micron (extra-fine is under 18.5 µm) and on worsted spinning; fine-gauge pieces (21–30 gg) are a technical speciality worth paying for.
- Lambswool and Shetland are coarser than cashmere by design; judge them on density, recovery when stretched, and the mill's finishing rather than on softness in the shop.
- Seamless whole-garment pieces have no seams to inspect; judge them on stitch evenness, weight and how cleanly the neck and cuffs finish.
Similar houses
Sunspel: frequently asked questions
Where is Sunspel knitwear made?
Sunspel is based in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England. Founded 1860 by Thomas Arthur Hill; manufacturing moved to Long Eaton, Derbyshire, in 1937.
What is Sunspel known for?
Sunspel is known for british essentials house with Scottish-spun cashmere and lambswool knitwear. Its principal fibres are Cashmere, Merino wool, Wool, lambswool & Shetland and Sea Island & long-staple cotton.
Is Sunspel a luxury brand?
Sunspel sits in the luxury tier of this index (roughly $400–$1,000 for a sweater). Its construction methods include seamless. It is listed here on the basis of fibre quality, construction and provenance rather than price alone.
How much does Sunspel knitwear cost?
Sunspel is roughly $400–$1,000 for a sweater at the time of writing. Knitwear pricing runs roughly £275 for lambswool crew necks to about £415 for cashmere
Sources
Facts verified against the sources above on 16 September 2026. Prices are indicative and change; check the house's own site.