Designer Knitwear Under $300: The Pieces Worth Reaching For

There's a particular kind of knit that earns its place in a wardrobe not because of its price tag, but because of how it works — how it drapes over a shoulder, holds its structure through a full day, and looks as considered at dinner as it did at noon. The good news? That kind of piece doesn't have to cost a fortune. The knitwear under $300 edit at Lola Dré draws from some of the most thoughtful designers working today, each approaching the knit form from a completely different angle.

Start with SIMKHAI, a label that consistently treats knitwear as an exercise in precision. The brand's use of open-work construction and fine-gauge cotton means pieces breathe without losing shape — a technical balance that's harder to achieve than it looks.

The Jules Polo in a lobster stripe is a case in point: the cotton-knit construction gives it enough weight to feel substantial while the bold horizontal stripe pattern keeps it firmly in the realm of warm-weather dressing. Wear it tucked into wide-leg linen trousers for a resort-ready look, or over a slip skirt for an evening that starts casual and goes somewhere interesting. At $177, it's the kind of piece that pulls significant weight in a seasonal rotation.

Where SIMKHAI leans architectural, MOTHER Denim approaches knitwear with a looser, more lived-in sensibility. Their pieces tend to reward wear — soft cotton yarns that relax into the body over time rather than box it in. The shrunken silhouette of their Mini Pullover is intentional: cut short to sit above the waistband of a high-rise jean or trouser, exposing just enough to feel current without being overthought. Meanwhile, their open-weave tank in a relaxed fit is the kind of layering piece a wardrobe quietly depends on through the warmer months.

Staud's Hampton sweater in ivory takes the open-knit approach and refines it into something almost sculptural. The loose crochet-style weave is lightweight enough to layer over a bikini top or a simple bralette in summer, but the cropped, structured cut means it reads as intentional — not afterthought. Ivory is the right call here: it works with everything from sand-toned linens to rich cobalt blue.

For a touch of evening-ready polish, self-portrait's embellished crop cardigan earns its place in this edit. The London-based label is known for its precise application of detail — here, delicate trim runs the edge of a classic cardigan form, adding just enough texture to take a simple knit into cocktail territory. Paired with tailored wide-leg trousers or a satin bias skirt, it makes the case for knitwear that works well past sundown.

At the more accessible end of this edit, Zimmermann's Ascension Scallop Tank at $100 is a quiet overachiever. The scalloped neckline detail — a hand-finished edge that gives the tank its signature soft femininity — is exactly the kind of considered touch the Sydney-based label applies across every price point. In macadamia, it works as a standalone piece under high-waisted shorts or skirts, or layered beneath a blazer when the temperature drops. SIMKHAI's Gentry open-work tank sits beside it as the slightly more structured option: the wide-strap silhouette and eyelet knit construction make it a natural pairing with tailored trousers or a sleek midi skirt.

With over 500 pieces to discover, the knitwear edit curated here at Lola Dré spans textures, weights, and occasions — from cotton polo constructions built for daytime to embellished fine-knit pieces that carry well into the evening. The throughline is quality of design: each piece chosen for what it does, not just what it costs.

Explore the full Knitwear Under $300 collection →