For a British winter, choose the jumper by neckline and layer: a quarter zip for an adjustable neckline, a cable-knit crew neck for texture over a shirt, a roll neck for a close fit under a jacket. This guide compares three WARDLEY London styles — Highbury (£59.00), Cotswold (£59.00) and Marylebone (£59.00).
- Highbury Fair Isle quarter-zip — £59.00 · regular fit · 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Cotswold cable knit jumper — £59.00 · crew neck, slim fit
- Marylebone roll neck jumper — £59.00 · slim fit, fine ribbed knit
- Also in this guide: Kensington ribbed henley (£59.00) · Primrose shawl collar cardigan (£66.00)
- Free tracked UK delivery · 30-day returns
This WARDLEY buying guide compares three current styles by their published construction and fit. It is a comparison of our own range, not an independent test of the whole market. Use the links below to check current colours, sizes and prices.
Which winter jumper should you choose?
| Jumper | Neckline and fit | Choose it for | Consider another style if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highbury | Quarter zip; regular fit; Fair Isle chest band and cable-knit body | An adjustable neckline and a patterned focal point | You want a plain knit or slim fit |
| Cotswold | Crew neck; slim fit; all-over cable knit | Texture with a shirt collar showing | You prefer a regular fit or an opening neckline |
| Marylebone | Roll neck; slim fit; fine ribbed knit | A high neckline beneath a jacket or coat | You dislike a close collar or want to unzip indoors |
Choose your winter jumper
For a patterned regular fit: Highbury quarter zip
The Highbury Fair Isle quarter-zip jumper combines a Nordic jacquard chest band with a cable-knit body. It has a stand collar, metal quarter zip, ribbed cuffs and hem, and a regular fit. Choose it when you want the knit to be the main feature of an outfit with plain trousers or jeans.
Consider another style if: you want a plain jumper for repeated office outfits or prefer a close-fitting silhouette. Keep the rest of the outfit plain if you want the Fair Isle pattern to stand out.
View Highbury colours and sizes
For a crew neck over a shirt: Cotswold cable knit
The Cotswold cable-knit jumper has an all-over cable texture, a crew neck and ribbed collar, cuffs and hem. Its listed fit is slim. Choose it for a shirt collar at the neckline, with chinos for a smart-casual office or jeans at the weekend.
Consider another style if: you want an adjustable zip neckline or a regular fit without sizing up. Cable knit describes the stitch pattern; it does not, by itself, tell you how warm a garment is.
View Cotswold colours and sizes
For a high neck under a jacket: Marylebone roll neck
The Marylebone fine ribbed roll-neck jumper has a slim fit and a close neckline. Choose it with tailored trousers when you want a simple alternative to a shirt, or beneath an overcoat when a full collar is useful.
Consider another style if: you dislike fabric against your neck, prefer a roomy fit, or regularly want to open the neckline indoors. A quarter zip gives you more adjustment.
View Marylebone colours and sizes
Prefer to compare the wider range? Browse men's knitwear, including quarter-zip jumpers and cable-knit jumpers.
How to choose a jumper for your day
Commuting between outside and a heated office
Think about how easily you can adjust your layers. A quarter zip lets you open the neckline indoors; a crew neck works well if you prefer to remove your coat and keep the jumper on. Before buying, check that your coat still fastens comfortably over the knit you intend to wear.
Smart-casual work and dinner
Start with your workplace or venue's dress code. A plain crew neck over a shirt or a roll neck with tailored trousers gives a restrained outline. A patterned quarter zip is more noticeable, so keep the trousers and outer layer simple. Our smart-casual work outfit guide gives more combinations.
Relaxed weekends
A cable knit or patterned quarter zip works with straight-leg jeans, chinos or casual trousers. If you plan to wear a substantial layer underneath, compare the chest and shoulder fit before choosing a size. A jumper described as slim will not fit like a regular style simply because both carry the same letter size.
Check the fit before choosing your size
Lay a jumper that fits you well flat and compare its chest width and body length with the product measurements. Check room across the shoulders, under the arms and at the hem. You should be able to move and sit comfortably with your intended base layer.
- Highbury: regular fit. Its published flat garment chest widths are S 51cm, M 53cm, L 55.5cm, XL 58cm and XXL 60.5cm. These are widths across the garment, not body chest circumferences. The Highbury is true to size; if you are between sizes, size up for layering or a more relaxed fit, or down for a closer fit.
- Cotswold: slim fit. The product fit note advises sizing up if you are between sizes and want a more relaxed fit.
- Marylebone: slim fit. Its product fit note advises sizing up for a looser fit; also consider whether you like a close neckline.
For a comparison of actual garment measurements, read what size a men's medium is before choosing between regular and slim fits.
Use the WARDLEY size guide alongside the individual product page. If a measurement or material detail you need is missing, email support@wardleylondon.co.uk before ordering.
Fabric, warmth and wet weather
Highbury: 95% cotton and 5% elastane, with a Fair Isle chest band and cable-knit body in a regular fit. Cotswold: a polyester, nylon and viscose blend, with an all-over cable texture in a slim crew-neck shape. Compare the fibre composition alongside the neckline and fit, then follow the care instructions for the individual jumper.
For wet weather, check the outer garment's stated rain protection. An overcoat or puffer is not automatically waterproof, and a water-resistant description is not the same as a waterproof specification. Choose an outer layer suited to the forecast, with enough room for the knit underneath.
For everyday layering, start with a comfortable base, add the jumper and then the outer layer you need. Try the combination together: check the sleeves, collar and fastening instead of relying on size labels alone. See our winter layering guide for outfit ideas.
Colours that work with the trousers you own
Begin with your existing wardrobe. Navy, charcoal or black are easy to repeat with neutral trousers. An oat or cream shade adds contrast to darker jeans and coats. If you choose a Fair Isle pattern, pick out one colour from the pattern for the rest of the outfit and keep other prints minimal.
You do not need to buy a full outfit to make one jumper work. Compare the neckline with your shirts, the hem with your trouser waistband and the sleeve volume with your coat. Our men's trouser buying guide compares different trouser shapes.
The henley: between a T-shirt and a jumper
A henley bridges the gap between a T-shirt and a jumper. The button placket adds just enough detail to wear alone, while the long sleeve keeps it a cold-weather piece. Choose a ribbed knit with natural stretch so it moves with you. The WARDLEY Ribbed Knit Henley is the reference.
The shawl-collar cardigan: knitwear's answer to tailoring
For evenings and weekends, nothing beats a shawl-collar cardigan. It is the closest knitwear comes to tailoring — structured enough for dinner, comfortable enough for the sofa. The WARDLEY Shawl Collar Knit Cardigan is the one we reach for.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cable-knit jumper always warmer than a plain knit?
No. The stitch pattern alone is not enough to compare warmth. Fibre, fabric weight, construction, fit and the other layers all matter. Choose the texture you prefer, then check the actual product details.
Should I choose a quarter zip or a roll neck?
Choose a quarter zip if you like to adjust the neckline during the day. Choose a roll neck if you want a consistently high neckline and a closer layer under a jacket. Personal comfort at the neck matters more than a styling rule.
Can I wear a jumper over a shirt?
Yes. Check that there is room across the shoulders and upper arms without pulling. Cotswold's crew neck is designed to sit over a shirt collar; Highbury can be worn open at the neck over a shirt.
What should I check before buying a winter jumper online?
Check the selected colour and size, listed fit, garment measurements, material information, care instructions and delivery estimate. Compare measurements with a garment you already own, especially when switching between slim and regular fits.
Before you order
WARDLEY offers free tracked UK delivery. Dispatched in 1–2 working days, with delivery 6–10 working days from order. See the delivery page for current details.
Unworn items can be returned within 30 days of delivery under the returns policy. Return postage is paid by the customer unless the item is faulty, damaged or incorrect.
Ready to choose? Compare Highbury for pattern and a regular fit, Cotswold for a slim cable-knit crew neck and Marylebone for a slim roll neck, or browse the complete knitwear collection.
Compare the two collar heights in our men’s mock neck and roll neck collection when choosing a jumper to wear under a coat.
From the Journal: Men’s Fair Isle jumpers — the complete UK guide and Men’s cable-knit jumpers — the UK guide
If the crew neck is your default, its fit and layering get their own treatment in the crew neck jumper guide.
Once chosen, looking after wool-blend knitwear keeps it earning its place.
