The best brands like John Smedley are Sunspel, Luca Faloni and Uniqlo. British-made basics with a similar understatement.
John Smedley (Premium tier, Index score 94) is known for Fine-gauge merino polos, Sea Island cotton knits and Cardigans. Typical prices: Knitwear roughly $250–$450. The alternatives below are grouped into our editors’ picks and further brands with a similar range, each with what you gain and what you give up.
What are the closest alternatives to John Smedley?
Sunspel
Sunspel is a British clothing company founded in 1860 by Thomas Hill in Nottingham, known for the Riviera polo shirt and some of the best plain T-shirts made.
Why it’s like John Smedley: British-made basics with a similar understatement.
Luca Faloni
Luca Faloni is a London-based brand founded in 2014 that sells Italian-made cashmere, linen and cotton staples directly to customers, cutting out wholesale markups.
Why it’s like John Smedley: Italian cashmere and silk-cashmere knits at a comparable price.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo is a Japanese clothing retailer owned by Fast Retailing, known for technical fabrics and for affordable cashmere, merino and Supima cotton basics.
Why it’s like John Smedley: Extra-fine merino crewnecks for a fraction of the price.
Which other brands share John Smedley’s range?
Studio Nicholson
Studio Nicholson is a London label founded in 2010 by Nick Wakeman, known for generously cut trousers, precise proportions and fabrics sourced from Japanese and Italian mills.
Shares John Smedley’s strength in knitwear, at a similar Premium-tier price, with an Index score of 86.
Joseph
Joseph is a London fashion brand founded by Joseph Ettedgui, known for double-faced wool coats, stretch trousers and refined knitwear.
Shares John Smedley’s strength in knitwear, at a similar Premium-tier price, with an Index score of 84.
Toteme
Toteme is a Stockholm-based womenswear brand founded in 2014 by Elin Kling and Karl Lindman, known for Scandinavian minimalism: scarf coats, straight denim and quiet leather goods.
Shares John Smedley’s strength in knitwear, at a similar Premium-tier price, with an Index score of 83.
Theory
Theory is a New York contemporary fashion brand founded in 1997 by Andrew Rosen and Elie Tahari, owned by Fast Retailing, and known for minimalist workwear and stretch-wool tailoring.
Shares John Smedley’s strength in knitwear, at a similar Premium-tier price, with an Index score of 80.
Should you buy John Smedley instead?
John Smedley scores 5/5 for materials and 4/5 for value on our Index. Fine-gauge knits need careful washing to keep their shape. Read the full John Smedley profile.
Frequently asked questions
What brands are like John Smedley?
The closest brands to John Smedley are Sunspel, Luca Faloni and Uniqlo. British-made basics with a similar understatement.
What is a cheaper alternative to John Smedley?
Uniqlo is a lower-priced alternative to John Smedley (Cashmere roughly $100–$130; merino roughly $40–$60). Extra-fine merino crewnecks for a fraction of the price.
Are John Smedley dupes worth buying?
Legitimate alternatives from other brands can capture John Smedley’s look at a lower price, usually with simpler materials or finishing. We do not recommend counterfeits, which infringe trademarks and rarely match the quality.