Maison Margiela Knitwear: Sweaters, Cardigans and Knit Tops
Maison Margiela Knitwear: Sweaters, Cardigans and Knit Tops
Maison Margiela knitwear is where the house is most relaxed and most clever at once. The classic is the elbow-patch sweater, with suede patches added the way you would mend an old jumper, but there are also raw-edged vests, twisted crewnecks and fine knit tops. Coveti has more than 25 knit pieces in the Maison Margiela collection, across sweaters and cardigans.
Quick answer
- The classic: the elbow-patch sweater and cardigan.
- The look: worn-in, slightly undone, mostly grey, black, ecru and red.
- Sizes: letter sizes XS to XXL, read the same in the UK and US.
- Care: hand wash cold when needed and dry flat; store folded.
The elbow-patch pieces
The Elbow Patch Cardigan in Grey is the one to know: a soft grey cardigan with suede patches at the elbows, a nod to how people mend a favourite knit. It uses decortique details. These pieces are unisex and the brand lists them in women's ready-to-wear.
Cardigans
The Wool V-Neck Cardigan in Black is a simple black V-neck in wool. The Lived-In Knit Cardigan in White has a Lived-In treatment, so it arrives faded and soft as if it had been worn for years. The Wool Wrap Cardigan in Grey wraps at the front, and the Gardening Hemp Knit Cardigan in Pale Pink is pale pink hemp. The Fragmented Floral Zip-Up Jacket in Multicolour is a knit jacket printed with fragmented florals.
Sweaters and crewnecks
The Twisted Knit Crewneck Sweater in Grey twists through the body. The Wool Cashmere Crewneck in Ecru is wool and cashmere in ecru, the easiest piece here. The Velvet-Panel Wool Sweater in Brown has a velvet panel across the front, and the Half-Zip Knit Sweater in Bordeaux is a half-zip in bordeaux. The Draped Collar Wool Polo Sweater in Grey has a draped collar.
Vests and knit tops
The Lived-In Raw-Edge Knit Vest in Bordeaux is raw-edged and cropped, the Argyle Knit Sleeveless Top in Red is argyle in red, and the Fused Knit Vest in Beige is two knits fused together. For a close fit, the Fitted Knit Top in Navy Blue and the Twisted Knit Tank Top in Black are slim knit tops.
How Margiela knitwear fits
Most of the knitwear is relaxed, with a dropped shoulder and room through the body. Take your usual letter size; the slim knit tops fit close by design. Knit pieces are sold in letter sizes only. Maison Margiela sizes its ready-to-wear in Italian sizes, which run four above UK, so an IT 42 is a UK 10. Knitwear comes in letter sizes and jeans in waist sizes. The full conversion is in our Maison Margiela size guide.
How to wear it
- An elbow-patch cardigan over a white T-shirt and wide jeans.
- A twisted crewneck tucked into a silk satin midi skirt.
- A knit vest over a cotton poplin shirt.
Maison Margiela at a glance
| Founded | 1988, Paris, by Martin Margiela and Jenny Meirens |
| Creative director | Glenn Martens, since January 2025 (after Martin Margiela to 2009 and John Galliano, 2014 to 2024) |
| Owner | OTB, the Italian group founded by Renzo Rosso, majority owner since 2002 |
| Signatures | The four white stitches, the blank numbered label, the Tabi split toe, deconstruction, Artisanal remade garments |
| Lines | Artisanal (couture), the main collection, and MM6 Maison Margiela, launched in 1997 |
| Made in | Most ready-to-wear is made in Italy; a few pieces are made in France |
| Sizes at Coveti | Italian sizes IT 36 to 50 (UK 4 to 18), letter sizes XS to XXL for knitwear, waist sizes for jeans |
Frequently asked questions
What sizes does Maison Margiela knitwear come in?
Letter sizes, usually XS to XXL.
Are Maison Margiela sweaters oversized?
Most are relaxed, with a dropped shoulder. A few knit tops are slim. Each product page says which.
What is the Maison Margiela elbow patch sweater?
A knit with suede patches at the elbows, a reference to mending a favourite jumper. It is one of the best-known Margiela knits.
How do I wash Maison Margiela knitwear?
Wash only when needed, by hand in cold water, and lay flat to dry. Store knits folded rather than hung.
Is Maison Margiela knitwear unisex?
Some pieces, like the elbow-patch sweaters and cardigans, are unisex and are listed in the women's range by the brand.
Read next: Margiela trousers and jeans, Margiela coats, the size guide.
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