Merino wool comes from merino sheep, and what sets it apart is the fineness of the fibre. Ordinary wool is coarse enough to press against the skin and prickle, which is where wool gets its itchy reputation. Merino fibres are fine enough to bend softly instead, so a merino wool jumper can be worn directly against the skin in comfort. That single quality is why merino suits a roll neck so well, and why it has quietly become the most practical knitwear fibre there is.

Fine merino is warm out of all proportion to its weight, trapping air between the fibres to insulate without adding bulk. It breathes and regulates temperature, so it stays comfortable in a heated office rather than becoming stifling, and it naturally resists odour, which means it needs washing far less often than most fabrics. Our merino jumpers layer cleanly under blazers and jackets and work as easily with trousers as with jeans and boots.

Where cashmere is softer and more precious, merino is the fibre that holds its shape through constant wear, which makes it the better choice for a jumper worn week in, week out. It is also natural, renewable and biodegradable, and because a good merino piece lasts for years, it earns its place in a buy less, wear more wardrobe. Explore our roll neck jumpers and the wider knitwear collection to build around it.