There are certain details in menswear that despite not being flashy or demanding immediate attention, are often the difference between an ordinary garment and one that becomes a long-term favourite. Hand linking is one such detail. At first glance, a hand-linked jumper may appear no different from any other knit, but the distinction reveals itself once worn. The hand linking process involves carefully joining each piece of the garment by hand, resulting in a seamless finish that enhances both durability and comfort while allowing for greater flexibility and shape retention. It is a slower, more meticulous method of construction, but one that creates a noticeably cleaner and more refined garment. Like so many aspects of traditional clothing manufacture, hand linking is a craft that rewards patience. Each panel is matched stitch by stitch, producing joins that sit flat against the body and move naturally with the wearer. The result is a jumper that feels like a single, cohesive garment.
It is precisely these kinds of details that have always appealed to followers of the Ivy League style; the most enduring pieces are seldom the loudest. Instead, their appeal lies in thoughtful design, honest, hard-wearing, materials and quality construction. A good Shetland jumper is a perfect example. Rugged, warm and reassuringly uncomplicated, it was a staple of the Ivy wardrobe throughout the boom years, often worn atop a long sleeve madras or oxford cotton button down and beneath a natural shoulder jacket. Our Saddle Shoulder Shetland jumpers embody that philosophy particularly well. The saddle shoulder construction creates a softer line across the shoulder and allows for a comfortable fit, while the hand-linked finish ensures the garment wears beautifully over time. Whether paired with corduroy, chinos or denim, it is a knit that feels entirely at home in a classic wardrobe.
Hand linking is equally at home on heavier knitwear. One such example is the shawl collar cardigan which is another perennial favourite at John Simons. Originally associated with mariners and outdoor pursuits, it later found its way into popular culture through figures such as Steve McQueen, whose shawl collar cardigan in Bullitt helped cement the garment's reputation as a menswear essential, as well JFK who was famously photographed abroad a yacht wearing one such cardigan over a casual polo tee, embodying preppy New England Ivy cool.
We have spoken extensively throughout our editorial pieces on the contemporary fascination with fast and cheaply produced clothing, and hand linking serves as a reminder that some things are worth doing properly. It is not a feature that shouts from a swing tag, nor is it something immediately visible from across a room. Yet it contributes enormously to how a garment feels, fits and endures. Like the best Ivy staples, its virtues reveal themselves gradually over years of wear rather than on first inspection.
Editorial photography by Giorgio Lattanzi & Alex Natt.
John Simons A/W26 knitwear collection, available in-store and online.
