The best Chinese knitwear brands for sweater season are GROUP OF UNIVERSE, VIA PITTI, ASGONY, NAWS, SOMESOWE, PRRP, SUNSET PARK, Kroche, MACY MCCOY and 1JINN STUDIO. Here is what each knits, the piece to buy first and who it suits; to shop by category, see our sweaters for women edit.
GROUP OF UNIVERSE: Wool Sets, Nordic Cardigans
GROUP OF UNIVERSE thinks in outfits. Cardigans come with matching skirts, camisoles or even a skort, as in the Pure Wool Knit Hollow Cardigan Set, a 100% wool cardigan and wide-waisted skirt in deep red or black. The handwriting is openwork and detail: hollow knits, a hand-embroidered floral cami, wood-look resin buttons on a warm cardigan jacket. Start with the Nordic Island Wool Knitted Cardigan, an oversized Fair Isle-inspired layer with snowman embroidery and large front pockets. It suits anyone who would rather buy one coordinated look than assemble five.
VIA PITTI: Detachable Necklines, Worn-In Texture
VIA PITTI likes a sweater that can change its mind. The Off-White & Black Detachable Off-shoulder Sweater uses a detachable off-shoulder detail to restyle a simple crewneck, and the Designed Off-Shoulder Gradient Sweater fades purple, blue or brown across the knit. The rest looks undone: a Frayed Hem Irregular Sweater Cardigan and Fair Isle cardigans, one patterned with dogs. Start with the Gray Distressed Knitted Cardigan & Skirt Set, a worn-in cardigan and matching skirt. Pick VIA PITTI for knits with wear and wit; our Fair Isle outfit guide covers styling.
ASGONY: Hoods, Lace Edges and Shell Trim
ASGONY splits its knits between slouchy and sweet. On the slouchy side sits the Wool Blend Hooded Knit Cardigan, a relaxed layer with matching pants in light or dark gray, plus a cropped puppy-embroidered hooded knit. On the sweet side: the Shell Trim Knit Cardigan Set with its shell-like floral edging, the Lace Trim Knit Cover-Up with a ribbon closure, and preppy contrast collars and bows. Start with the hooded cardigan; you will reach for it most once the weather turns. ASGONY suits women who want comfort that still looks considered.
NAWS: Bare Shoulders, Crochet and Wool Polos
NAWS is the most body-conscious label here. Its knits skim rather than slouch: the Iris Blue Knitted Off-Shoulder Sweater, an Asymmetrical Shoulder Knit Cardigan, a slim cardigan with a hollow-knit back. For evenings there is the Black Off-set Round Neck Crochet Lace Cardigan; for smart-casual days, the Black & Yellow Wool Polo Knit Top and a plain Cashmere Crew-neck Cardigan. Start with the iris blue sweater, which has an optional matching mini skirt and suits dinners and date nights. NAWS is for anyone who wants a sweater to show some shape.
SOMESOWE: Embroidery, Motifs and Crochet
SOMESOWE treats a cardigan like a sketchbook. Birds and butterflies, stars, a horse on a Fair Isle hooded cardigan, a jacquard pony on an oversized crewneck, an embroidered patch on a yellow round-neck cardigan: the motifs are the point. Quieter pieces lean on texture, as in the Hollow Out Pullover Crochet Crewneck or a three-piece floral jacquard set. Start with the Birds and Butterflies Knit Cardigan in gray or brown; dropped shoulders make it an easy layer for autumn and winter. SOMESOWE is for creative workwear and anyone bored of solid colors.
PRRP: Mohair, Wool-Lyocell and Graphic Prints
PRRP is the most fiber-forward label here. The Zebra Print V-Neck Mohair Sweater and the Mohair Wool Sweater with Irregular Chain Print pair soft yarn with sharp graphics. The Wool Lyocell V-Neck Long Sleeve Top with Lace stays plain navy at the front and saves its floral lace patchwork for the back. A Fine-Knit Cropped Three-Piece Set lists mulberry silk and wool in its cardigan. Start with the zebra mohair V-neck, slim with rolled edges and a subtle sheen. PRRP suits city dressers who want texture to do the talking.
SUNSET PARK: Rhinestone Collars, Preppy Knits
SUNSET PARK is all about the collar: a handmade rhinestone collar with rose embroidery, a lace collar on a fake two-piece cardigan, a doll-style ruffle collar in dark gray, a naval collar on a pink crewneck, a detachable faux collar on the Bunny Diary Collar Sweater. Fair Isle sets with a Westie or cats cover the winter season. Start with the Handmade Rhinestone Collar Rose-Embroidered Knitted Cardigan in white or gray; it is slim enough to wear on its own as a top. SUNSET PARK suits the preppy, slightly romantic dresser.
Kroche: Cropped Cardigans and Tencel Knits
Kroche keeps things light. The Airy Layered Short Knit Cardigan ties at the front to adjust the shape; the Sportique Cropped Knit Cardigan sits just above the waist in four colors. Tencel turns up too, in a Tencel Lace V-Neck T-Shirt and the Soft Tencel Lace Dress & Cardigan Set. For colder weeks there are jacquard crewnecks with horses, roses and cats, a plush Snow Bear Knit Cardigan and a High Neck Poncho Sweater. Start with the Sportique cardigan over high-rise trousers. Kroche suits anyone who layers year-round and dislikes bulk.
MACY MCCOY: Knit Sets, Two-Way Tops
MACY MCCOY designs knits that do two jobs. The Openwork Reversible Knit Top turns front to back for a V-neck or round neck; the Stretch Two-Way Long-Sleeve Top shifts with adjustable tie straps. Sets are the other strength, from a hooded cardigan-and-pant set to a Diamond Knit Tie Cardigan Set with a camisole. Its listed fiber blends often include wool, and some add mulberry silk. Start with the Contrast Stripe Slim Knit Cardigan, a fine-knit collegiate stripe in blue or pink. MACY MCCOY suits practical dressers who want options from one piece.
1JINN STUDIO: Fair Isle and Small Surprises
1JINN STUDIO hides a small surprise in many pieces: a cat paw zipper pull, red star stitching on an asymmetric-neck wool-blend cardigan, a rhinestone logo on the back of a wool-blend lapel cardigan, faux-fur trim on a fitted cable knit. There is a Mohair Sleeveless Turtleneck for layering under coats, plus polka-dot cardigan-and-pant sets. Start with the Vintage Jacquard Off-Shoulder Fair Isle Sweater, woven with snowflake and cat motifs; its ribbed neckline wears off-shoulder or as a classic crewneck. 1JINN STUDIO suits playful dressers who like vintage winter knits with a twist.
For more ideas, read our guide to Chinese sweaters and cozy cardigans, or browse the latest knits in new arrivals.
