The Knitwear Edit: Behind the threads

Our Merino Knitwear collection is officially on the streets. You asked, we took your mountain spirit and raised you superfine, very retro, very alpine Merino wool sweater knits. If you're in the market for a winter statement piece, it's a damn good choice.

Think superfine Merino meets suave alpine après vibes. Merino knits meet old-school fits. Retro prints meet winter necklines meet soft-to-touch Merino wool sweaters that'll keep you toasty all winter long. On mountain, off mountain, wherever your winter takes you.

But, as the responsible consumers we are, we'd be remiss not to mention the proverbial fast-fashion elephant in the room. Because the truth is, as stoked as we are about our new collection, we're not here to convince you to buy more clothes you don't need. There's enough of that in the world, and it's part of the problem. So, before you go out there and buy twelve of each, let's gut check.

Model wearing Mons Royale Merino knitwear in an alpine setting

The cold hard facts, baby

First things first: a quick look at the fashion industry. The one responsible for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. The one whose fibre production hit 132 million tonnes in 2024, more than double what it was in 2000, and is on track for 169 million tonnes by 2030. The one that uses 215 trillion litres of water a year, the equivalent of 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. The one whose synthetic fabrics shed up to 0.5 million tonnes of microplastics into the ocean every single year.

But, you cry, we need clothes! And you'd be right. We're not advocating for nude-Fridays. Not here, anyway. What we are saying, is that we have an individual and collective responsibility to buy better. To ask where our clothes came from, what materials they use, and how they were made. To think about the quality of the clothes you buy, and therefore, their versatility. We know that choice is a privilege not everyone has, which makes it even more important for those who do.

Enter, Merino Knitwear.

Close-up of Mons Royale Merino knitwear texture and detail

The background check

Wow, you responsible consumers, what great and thoughtful questions from you! Here's the real, behind-the-scenes, sheep-to-shoulders scoop on our Merino sweaters.

Where does our knitwear come from?

New Zealand, baby. The land of tomorrow. A small portion is sourced from Australia, but the majority of our wool is grown right here in our backyard, thanks to our Growers Club of nine farms around the country.

What materials are used in our knitwear?

Each product in our knitwear collection has a slightly different blend, but the core ingredient is Merino. The Whistler knit is 100% superfine Merino; our Wānaka knit is 55% Merino and 45% Cotton; the Innsbruck knit is 98% Merino, 1% Nylon, 1% Elastane. The Innsbruck knit is double-lined, which means that 2% is helping the structural quality and bounce-back of the heavier Merino fabric.

Mons Royale Merino knitwear collection laid flat showing fabric blends

How was our knitwear made?

Through our B Corp Certified supply chain, where every step of the process has strict regulations that need to be met. We've spent over a decade building relationships with long-term manufacturing partners who share our values.

After our wool leaves the farm, it's spun by Südwolle, global leaders in Merino yarn innovation. They combine precision engineering with the highest environmental standards, holding Bluesign® and Oeko-Tex® certifications. The cut and sew happens at Shanghai Challenge Textiles, experts in Merino performance apparel that we've partnered with for over ten years. Once the products are ready, we ship by sea whenever possible, reducing freight emissions by a significant amount compared to air.

What is the quality of the knitwear?

All our wool is ZQ+ certified through Zentera, which is the world's leading mark for high-quality wool. The certification means that wool is sourced from independently audited farms meeting some of the most demanding animal welfare, environmental and social standards. Careful hand-classing, rigorous testing and full traceability back to the farm ensure exceptional quality and transparency.

Mons Royale knitwear modelled outdoors in a winter mountain environment

The versatility of the Merino wool sweater

One of the many perks of Merino is its versatility. Both in style and function. Style-wise, this range is all about bringing a little bit of the alpine into your everyday. Designed where après meets mountain culture meets everyday style, it's the fit that takes you from mountain to street the Mons Royale way.

Functionally, our Merino knitwear collection hits all the spots. The Wānaka knit is technically a mens Merino sweater, but word on the street is, the gals are already loving this versatile style. It's a Merino cotton blend, slightly thinner, so you can throw a jacket over top or wear it slouched at the office. The Whistler womens knit has a high neck that stops the cold from creeping in up the mountain or on the street, and both the men's and women's versions of the Innsbruck knit are double-lined, making for a slightly thicker, super soft and always cosy number you can throw on anytime, anywhere.

And if you're not the knitwear type, don't forget we've got a range of other Merino wool jumpers that'll warm your winter with natural performance and everyday style. Like the Inversion, the Verdant, or the Horizon Merino wool hoodies and crews.

Mons Royale Merino knitwear styled in an everyday urban setting

Moral of the story? Buy responsibly. And if you're in the market for an incredibly soft, high-quality and damn cool knit for the upcoming winter season (and loads of seasons after that), you should probably go check out our new collection.

Kisses, Mons Royale