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John Smedley

A John Smedley linker at her machine on the factory floor, with mustard knitwear draped across the bench

John Smedley was founded in 1784 at Lea Mills, in Derbyshire's Derwent Valley, and the company calls the mill the world's oldest continuously operating manufacturing factory. From 1825 to 1875, under John Smedley II, it was known for fine merino underwear, and the Long John is said to be named after him. In the same period, it says, it installed Britain's first fully fashioned knitting machines. It moved into menswear and outerwear in the 1890s and introduced its Sea Island Cotton polo shirt in 1932. A Royal Warrant came in 2013 and was renewed in 2024, and the eighth-generation family director, Ian Maclean, was recognised in the 2020 Birthday Honours.

Clothing

Shown here: the Adrian Sea Island cotton polo shirt, the Lorca Sea Island cotton T-shirt and the Blenheim extra fine merino V-neck jumper, all made at John Smedley's Lea Mills factory in Derbyshire. John Smedley's merino yarn is spun in Italy, then knitted in Derbyshire.

John Smedley Adrian knitted polo shirt in French Navy Sea Island cotton, worn by a model
Adrian Sea Island Cotton Polo Shirt

£150–£299

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John Smedley Blenheim V-neck jumper in Midnight extra fine merino wool, worn by a model
Blenheim Extra Fine Merino V-Neck Jumper

£150–£299

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John Smedley Lorca round-neck T-shirt in white Sea Island cotton
Lorca Sea Island Cotton T-Shirt

£150–£299

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