Sunspel Mens Clothing

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Sunspel has been making cotton in Nottinghamshire since 1860. The Riviera polo shirts and t-shirts lead the range, in mesh-knit cotton, alongside Classic Crew tees, heavyweight and waffle long sleeves, and

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About Sunspel Mens Clothing

Nottinghamshire since 1860

Thomas Hill started the business in Nottingham in 1860, making fine cotton garments for export to hot climates at a time when most British underwear was wool. Nottingham was then the centre of the British lace and hosiery trade, and that machinery shaped everything the company went on to do — including a cellular cotton knitted on lace machines in the early twentieth century that is still in the collection. The firm took the name Sunspel in 1935, after the quality stamp used on Sea Island cotton: a sunburst breaking through clouds. It moved to its factory in Long Eaton, Derbyshire in 1937 and has been there ever since, where the classic t-shirts are still made.

The Riviera

The Riviera is the piece Sunspel is best known for. Peter Hill developed the fabric in 1955 after finding piqué polos too hot on the French Riviera, reviving old Nottingham lacemaking machines at the Long Eaton factory to knit a cotton mesh. It comes as both a polo and a t-shirt, in short and long sleeve. The knit is more open than a standard jersey, so it reads slightly textured up close and sits away from the skin rather than clinging.

Cotton weights and knitwear

Beyond the Riviera the t-shirts divide by weight. The Classic Crew is the standard, the Midweight sits between, and the Heavyweight and Relaxed Fit Supima are the substantial ones that hold their shape without a vest underneath. Waffle and Cellulock add texture. In knitwear, extra fine merino is the thinnest and works under a jacket; lambswool and brushed Shetland are the winter weights; Sea Island cashmere is the softest thing here. Shirting runs from oxford and linen to fine cord and cotton cashmere, with wool, brushed cotton and cotton-linen blazers above them.

More in Sunspel polo shirts, t-shirts and knitwear, with fragrance in grooming and fragrance.

Sunspel FAQs

A cotton mesh developed in 1955, when Peter Hill found piqué polos too hot on holiday in the French Riviera and returned to the Long Eaton factory to knit something cooler on old Nottingham lacemaking machines. The knit is more open than standard jersey, so it holds its shape and sits away from the skin. It comes as a polo and a t-shirt.
Sunspel has made cotton garments in the East Midlands since 1860 and has run the same factory in Long Eaton, Derbyshire since 1937, where the classic t-shirts are still made. Other pieces are made elsewhere.
The company was renamed Sunspel in 1935 after the quality control stamp used on Sea Island cotton — a sunburst breaking through clouds. Sea Island had become the fibre the business was known for.
An extra-long staple cotton, meaning longer individual fibres. It spins into a finer, smoother yarn that resists pilling and softens rather than roughens with washing.
The Classic Crew is a smooth jersey cotton — the plain white tee Sunspel is known for. The Riviera uses the open mesh knit, so it has visible texture and sits looser against the skin. The Riviera is the warm weather option; the Classic Crew works year-round.
Close to the body without being tight, with a set-in sleeve and a straight hem. The Classic Crew is the standard fit. The Relaxed Fit and Heavyweight are cut fuller through the body. If you're between sizes, the heavier weights give a little less.
Cool wash at 30°C, inside out, and dry flat or on a low tumble setting. Fine cotton takes heat badly — a hot wash is what shrinks a t-shirt and roughens the handle. Knitwear should be washed on a wool cycle and dried flat.
Yes. We stock Sunspel at both Yards Store shops — 13 Old Bank Street in Manchester and 86 Pinstone Street in Sheffield. Colours and sizes differ between the two, so call ahead if you want a particular piece.