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.
Sunspel has spent more than 160 years making essentially invisible clothing: T-shirts, polos and underwear in long-staple cotton. Its Riviera polo became famous on screen in the 2000s, but nothing on it identifies the brand. For quiet luxury basics, few companies are more specialised.
What is Sunspel known for?
- Riviera polo
- Classic crew-neck T-shirt
- Sea Island cotton underwear
Key materials: long-staple cotton, sea island cotton, merino. Categories we cover: basics, knitwear.
Is Sunspel quiet luxury?
Yes. Sunspel is one of the clearest examples of quiet luxury: its core products carry no visible branding, and their value lies in materials and construction.
On our Quiet Luxury Index, Sunspel scores 94 out of 100:
How much does Sunspel cost?
T-shirts roughly $80–$120; polos roughly $150. Sunspel sits in our Premium tier: contemporary labels with genuinely good materials. Prices are approximate US retail and vary by region and season.
What should you watch out for?
Basics at this price only make sense if you value the fabric — the look is indistinguishable at a distance.
Is Sunspel on Instagram?
Yes. Sunspel’s official account is @sunspelclothing, with 171,000 followers and 4,181 posts as of October 2026, ranking it #37 of 39 quiet luxury brands we track.
What do reviewers say about Sunspel?
The most-watched independent YouTube reviews and explainers on Sunspel:
Sunspel on TikTok
Which brands are similar to Sunspel?
John Smedley (Premium, Index 94). British fine-gauge knitwear with similar heritage.
Asket (Accessible, Index 87). Transparent, permanent-collection basics for less.
Uniqlo (Accessible, Index 76). The cheapest credible plain T-shirt, especially Supima cotton.
Compare: Sunspel vs Asket
Sunspel at a glance
| Founded | 1860 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Thomas Hill |
| Based in | Nottingham, United Kingdom |
| For | Men, Women |
| Price tier | Premium |
| Index score | 94 / 100 |
| Official site | sunspel.com |
Frequently asked questions
What is Sunspel known for?
Sunspel is known for Riviera polo, Classic crew-neck T-shirt and Sea Island cotton underwear. 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.
Is Sunspel quiet luxury?
Yes. Sunspel is one of the clearest examples of quiet luxury: its core products carry no visible branding, and their value lies in materials and construction.
Where is Sunspel from?
Sunspel is based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, and was founded in 1860 by Thomas Hill.
How much does Sunspel cost?
Approximate prices: T-shirts roughly $80–$120; polos roughly $150. Prices vary by region and season.
How many Instagram followers does Sunspel have?
Sunspel’s official Instagram account, @sunspelclothing, had 171,000 followers as of October 2026.
What brands are similar to Sunspel?
Brands similar to Sunspel include John Smedley, Asket and Uniqlo. British fine-gauge knitwear with similar heritage.