Designer Knitwear
At St. John Knits, one of the top luxury knitwear brands, designer knitwear is in our DNA. Over six decades ago, the brand began with a single knit dress. Since that time our knitwear category has remained not only a consistent representation of what we aim to offer—a balance of elegance and ease, made with impeccable attention to detail and intentionally designed to move with the modern, multitasking woman—but it has become a best-seller as well.
It’s no surprise that customers turn to our luxury knitwear decade after decade: St. John prides itself on our timeless silhouettes and thoughtful construction, utilizing the highest quality of materials—each selected to enhance the knit texture for a look and hand feel that stands the test of time. These are the pieces you’ll treasure for years to come and want to wear with everything.
What Is Knitwear?
In the technical sense, knitwear is defined as a textile constructed with a series of interlocking yarn loops. Since the beginning, St. John has built a legacy by creating knits with premium fibers, proprietary techniques, and exemplary finishing, resulting in a flawless drape, depth of color, and enduring resilience—traits that make our women’s designer knitwear stand apart from the rest.
Within any given collection, our knitwear is offered in a range of textures, finishes, and fits. This allows us to dress our clientele with ease for any occasion—whether it be sophisticated suits and sets that elevate your workwear wardrobe, designer knit dresses that multitask for office or off-duty moments, or luxurious evening gowns that make an impression while keeping you comfortable all night long.
Our current selection of signature knits includes:
Double Face Knit: a clean, substantial hand with a smooth interior for sleek lines
Legacy Crepe Knit: a softly textured surface with elegant stretch recovery
Brise Cotton Knit: breathable, lightweight comfort for warmer days
Perle Crepe Knit: a refined, pebbled finish that adds subtle dimension
Santa Roma Knit: a polished, resilient classic with body and movement
Pointelle Knit: openwork patterns that add airiness and tactile interest
Diagonal Texture Knit: dynamic patterning for visual impact
Valley Knit: dimensional ribbing that contours and flatters
Sequin Knit: integrated shimmer for evening sophistication
Warm Weather Knits
Knitwear isn’t only for colder weather—it can thrive in warm seasons, too. By utilizing breathable blends and lightweight gauges to encourage air flow, St. John is able to offer women’s luxury knitwear that can be worn comfortably any time of year.
In addition to fabrication and materials, color and silhouette are used strategically as ways to make knits feel more spring and summer-ready. Lighter hues and shapes that skim the body while allowing for ease of movement result in styles that stand up to warmer climates. And because knitwear is inherently wrinkle-resistant, these pieces are also perfect for packing this season. Mixed or matched, these knits bring effortless polish wherever you choose to travel.
Care & Styling
To preserve the beauty of your knitwear pieces, professionally dry clean garments unless the care label indicates otherwise—typically once or twice per season. This not only helps keep colors looking fresh, but also allows your knits to hold their shape. For urgent spills such as wine or coffee, immediately flush with cold water and blot, then bring to a trusted dry cleaner as soon as possible. Ask your cleaner to record measurements so pieces can be blocked back to shape.
Knits that are put away for certain seasons should be cleaned and removed of perfumes and body oils prior to storage. Once properly laundered, use padded hangers to store your knit items. Button and zip jackets and dresses, align shoulder pads, and hang flat-front pants and skirts open to maintain their structure. Pleated pants may be hung pleat to pleat or sideways. Be sure to store your garments somewhere they won’t be exposed to prolonged sunlight or bright fluorescent lighting to prevent fading.
For travel, fold your knitted garments in half (in thirds for long gowns) with tissue at the folds to minimize creasing. Unpack and hang on arrival to release any creases. If they persist, place a damp silk or linen cloth over the area and apply gentle heat, or hang in a steamy bathroom to relax fibers.
In terms of styling, matching sets are quintessentially St. John. Coordinated knits, such as a cardigan and shell or dress and jacket in the same texture and color offer polished dressing that’s foolproof. That said, mixing up knit finishes—like a knit sequin skirt with a sleek, sculpted jacket—provides an interesting juxtaposition while keeping knitwear’s inherent ease from head to toe. That effortlessness lends itself to styling along with non-knit pieces as well, so add in denim, crisp poplin, and even leather pieces to get the maximum mileage out of your knitwear.