Knitwear Price Comparison
Compare 385 knitwear pieces from Jack & Jones and ONLY — find the best price from 0 £ and make the right choice for your wardrobe.
Knitwear price comparison UK
Knitwear occupies a curious middle ground in most wardrobes — worn more often than almost anything else, yet rarely given the same scrutiny as a coat or a pair of jeans. Our catalogue of 385 pieces spans everything from sub-0 £ basics to more considered options pushing towards 0 £, and the spread tells an interesting story about where the real value sits.
Two brands dominate this category almost entirely: Jack & Jones and ONLY. Jack & Jones brings the larger volume and a slightly higher average price point, leaning into heavier knit structures, cable knit textures and more varied silhouettes. ONLY skews lighter and more affordable, with a strong showing of fine-gauge and ribbed styles suited to layering. New Balance makes a solitary appearance at the premium end — a curiosity rather than a genuine option for most shoppers. What's notable is how tightly clustered the pricing is: the vast majority of products sit between 0 £ and 0 £, which means you're not sacrificing much by shopping carefully.
Fibre composition is where buyers most often go wrong. A cotton-rich blend and a predominantly acrylic piece can look identical on a hanger but perform completely differently after six months of wear. Acrylic pills faster, retains odour more readily and lacks the breathability of natural fibres — yet it's cheaper and holds colour well. For everyday knitwear that sees regular washing, a cotton blend of 70% or above is worth prioritising. If you're after warmth without bulk, merino wool remains the benchmark, though you'll find little of it at this price range. Explore our Sweatshirts & Hoodies section if you need something more insulating for colder months.
Fit has shifted noticeably in 2026 — oversized and boxy cuts now account for a significant share of new arrivals, reflecting a broader move away from slim-fit knitwear. That said, a relaxed fit in a lightweight knit can look shapeless rather than intentional if the fabric lacks enough body. Pay attention to knit weight alongside silhouette. And if you're building a versatile capsule wardrobe, pairing knitwear with the right Trousers or Shirts & Tops makes all the difference in how polished the result looks.
One practical note: shrinkage is the most common complaint we see with knitwear purchases. Always check the care label before buying — machine-washable at 30°C is the sweet spot for convenience, but many cotton-heavy knits will shrink a full size if tumble-dried. Pre-shrunk garments are worth the slight premium if you're buying a fitted style.
How to Choose Knitwear You'll Actually Keep Wearing
Most knitwear looks fine in the product photo and feels fine in the shop. The real test comes after the third wash. With prices ranging from 0 £ to 0 £ across this catalogue, the gap between a piece that lasts two seasons and one that pills within weeks often comes down to a handful of specific details — not the price tag alone.
Fibre composition and what it actually means for you
This is the single most important factor and the one most buyers skip. 100% cotton breathes well and washes easily but can shrink and lose shape over time. Cotton blends (typically 70–90% cotton with polyester or viscose) offer better shape retention and are generally more practical for everyday wear. Acrylic is cheap, colourfast and lightweight, but pills rapidly under friction — avoid it if you're wearing a bag strap or rucksack regularly. Merino wool is the premium choice for temperature regulation and softness, but you'll rarely find it at the price points dominant in this category. If the label says "soft touch" without specifying the fibre, treat it with scepticism.
Pilling resistance — the longevity test
Pilling is the formation of small fibre balls on the fabric surface, and it's the fastest way a knitwear piece starts looking worn. Loose-gauge knits and low-quality acrylic blends are the worst offenders. Premium fibres and tighter knit structures resist pilling far better. A practical test: rub the fabric firmly between your fingers for 10–15 seconds. If fibres start to ball immediately, expect the same on the garment within weeks. For pieces you'll wear frequently, prioritise cotton-rich or treated blends over pure synthetics.
Knit weight and seasonal suitability
Knit weight determines whether a piece works as a standalone layer or needs something underneath. Lightweight knits (under 200g/m²) are ideal for transitional weather and layering over shirts — they drape well but offer minimal warmth on their own. Midweight knits (200–350g/m²) are the most versatile, covering autumn through early spring. Heavyweight knits — think chunky cable knit or thick ribbed structures — are genuinely warm but can look bulky under a jacket. Most of the Jack & Jones range sits in the midweight category, making it a reasonable year-round option for the UK climate.
Shrinkage potential and care requirements
This is where knitwear purchases go wrong most often. Natural fibres — particularly untreated cotton and wool — are prone to relaxation shrinkage when exposed to heat during washing or drying. A garment that fits perfectly off the shelf can drop a full size after its first tumble-dry cycle. Look for "pre-shrunk" or "sanforised" on the label, and always default to a cold machine wash on a delicate cycle. If the care label says dry clean only and you're not prepared to do that regularly, it's the wrong garment for your lifestyle.
Fit and silhouette — beyond just the size label
Knitwear sizing is notoriously inconsistent across brands. A "medium" in Jack & Jones can run noticeably differently to an ONLY medium, partly because the brands target different fits by design. Beyond the size, consider the neckline (crew neck is the most versatile; polo neck is polarising; V-neck works well for layering) and the sleeve length — knitwear sleeves that are too long bunch awkwardly at the wrist and rarely look intentional. If you're buying online, check the garment measurements rather than relying on the size label alone.
Colour fastness — especially for darker shades
Dark navy, burgundy and black knitwear can bleed significantly during the first few washes, staining lighter garments in the same load. Colour fastness is graded 1–5 by industry standards, with grade 4–5 being excellent. Budget knitwear often sits at grade 2–3. The practical fix: wash dark knitwear separately for the first two or three cycles, and always use a cold wash. If a piece bleeds heavily even after multiple washes, the dye quality is poor and fading will follow.
- Entry-level picks (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Mostly acrylic-heavy or thin cotton blends. Expect limited colour fastness and faster pilling. Fine for occasional wear or if you're testing a style before committing. Jack & Jones has several options here — functional but not built to last.
- The sweet spot (From 0 £ to 0 £) : This is where the majority of the catalogue sits and where we'd point most buyers. Cotton-blend construction becomes more common, fits are more considered, and the ONLY range offers genuinely good value for lighter knitwear. Worth spending the extra over entry-level.
- Better quality, more options (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Heavier knit structures, more interesting textures (cable knit, jacquard patterns) and improved seam construction. Jack & Jones dominates this tier with some of its better-constructed pieces. A sensible ceiling for everyday knitwear.
- Premium and outliers (Over 0 £) : Very few products sit here — New Balance's sole entry and a handful of Jack & Jones pieces with premium detailing. Unless there's a specific reason (merino content, technical construction), the jump in price isn't consistently justified by what's on offer in this catalogue.
Top products
- Jack & Jones 12157321_1570_993005.62 knitwear (Jack & Jones) : One of the most-compared pieces in the catalogue with two competing offers — worth checking both merchants for the best price. A solid midweight option, though verify fibre composition before committing.
- Jack & Jones 12278351_1973.62 knitwear (Jack & Jones) : Two offers available, making it one of the better candidates for price comparison. Sits at a fair price point for the Jack & Jones range — a reliable everyday pick if the fit works for you.
- Jack & Jones 12261780_4481_1128972.62 knitwear (Jack & Jones) : The most affordable of the two-offer Jack & Jones pieces — good entry point if you want the brand without stretching the budget. Don't expect premium construction at this price, but it's a decent casual layer.
- Jack & Jones 12257771_2161.62 knitwear (Jack & Jones) : Priced squarely in the sweet spot of the catalogue. Only one offer available, so there's less room to negotiate on price — but it represents a fair deal for a mid-range Jack & Jones knit.
- ONLY 15224360 (ONLY) : The standout ONLY entry in the top 15 — priced right at the catalogue median and the best representative of what the brand does well: accessible, lighter knitwear for layering. A sensible choice if you don't need heavyweight warmth.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between cotton and acrylic knitwear — does it actually matter?
Yes, it matters considerably. Cotton breathes better, feels more natural against the skin and is less prone to retaining odour — but it can shrink and lose shape without careful washing. Acrylic is lighter, cheaper and holds colour well, but it pills rapidly under friction and doesn't regulate temperature as effectively. For everyday UK wear where you're washing regularly, a cotton-rich blend (70% or above) will outlast a predominantly acrylic piece by a significant margin.
How do I stop knitwear from shrinking after washing?
Always wash on a cold cycle (30°C maximum) using a delicate or wool programme, and never tumble dry unless the care label explicitly permits it. Lay the garment flat to dry rather than hanging it — hanging a wet knit stretches the fabric under its own weight. If you've already shrunk a cotton knit, soaking it in lukewarm water with a small amount of hair conditioner and gently stretching it back to shape can sometimes recover the fit.
Is it worth paying more for knitwear, or is mid-range good enough?
For most people, mid-range knitwear — roughly between 0 £ and 0 £ — hits the right balance. You get better fibre composition and construction than entry-level pieces without paying a premium that isn't always reflected in durability. The exception is if you want merino wool or a genuinely heavyweight cable knit, where spending more does translate to a meaningfully better product. For basic crew-neck or ribbed styles worn casually, the sweet spot in this catalogue is clear.
What does 'gauge' mean on a knitwear label, and should I care?
Gauge refers to the number of stitches per inch in the knit fabric — higher gauge means a tighter, finer knit; lower gauge means a looser, chunkier texture. Fine-gauge knitwear (12–15 gg) looks more polished and layers well under jackets. Loose-gauge or chunky knits are warmer and more casual but can look bulky. It's rarely printed on high-street labels, but you can judge it visually: if you can see through the fabric when held up to light, it's a loose gauge.
Which is better for knitwear — Jack & Jones or ONLY?
They target different things. Jack & Jones skews towards heavier, more structured knitwear with a higher average price — better for midweight pieces you want to wear as a standalone layer. ONLY focuses on lighter, more affordable styles that work well for layering or warmer-weather wear. Neither is objectively better; it depends on what you need. If you're after a chunky knit for autumn, Jack & Jones. If you want a fine-gauge ribbed top for transitional weather, ONLY offers strong value.
What are the signs of poor-quality knitwear I should watch out for before buying?
Four red flags: a high acrylic content with no anti-pilling treatment mentioned; seams that aren't flat-locked (they'll irritate and unravel faster); a care label that says hand wash only on a piece priced at the budget end (it suggests the dye or fibre can't withstand machine washing); and fabric that already shows loose threads or uneven tension in the product photos. Also be wary of very dark colours at low price points — poor colour fastness is common and the dye will bleed onto lighter garments.
Can knitwear be worn smartly, or is it always casual?
A fine-gauge knit in a neutral colour — navy, charcoal, oatmeal — worn over a collared shirt or under a tailored jacket reads as smart-casual without effort. The key is knit weight and structure: lightweight stockinette or ribbed knits in slim or regular fits work in office-adjacent settings, whilst chunky cable knits or oversized silhouettes are firmly casual. The neckline matters too — a crew neck is more versatile than a V-neck in formal contexts, and a polo neck can look deliberately considered rather than casual if the rest of the outfit is clean.