Authentic design with a promise of contemporary spin
Unlike most cotton basics, Merz b. Schwanen henleys and t-shirts don’t have side seams and the fabrics are also exceptionally soft and have a noticeably uneven character. Flecks of different colours add some intrigue to each design - an added texture to everything they create.
This is all thanks to the way it’s woven on vintage tubular knitting machines from the 1920s. It's beautiful to think that each garment is drenched in the company’s rich history.
And, it’s not only the fabric that is made the original way; everything from the genuine Mother of Pearl buttons, the classic packaging, and even the woven labels are made in Germany. Peter Plotnicki and Gitta Plotnicki are both proud to stick to their roots and carry on over one hundred years of tradition of Merz b. Schwanen.
While the detailing and production methods of the garments unquestionably fall under the ‘heritage’ category, the fits and details have been updated for the tastes of today. This is traditional making with a contemporary feel, and the brand does it brilliantly.
Merz b. Schwanen stocked by HANSEN
Here at HANSEN, we stock Merz b. Schwanen good basics. From comfortable t-shirts to warm socks, these are the items that keep you content.
Firstly, you have to get your hands on Merz b. Schwanen Classic T-Shirts. We stock this wonderful garment made of 100% pure organic cotton, in several colour variations.
The pure cotton blend represents no unnatural chemicals used during the production process. Therefore, the making of these garments has as little effect on the local ecosystem as possible. Merz b Schwanen Loopwheel cotton is a very special kind, famed for its quality.
If you like long-sleeved styles, Merz b. Schwanen Henley T-shirts with button-down fronts feature several original heritage elements of the brand - the Mother of Pearl button or original cut and logo.
Comfort clothing has never been this satisfactory
One of the most popular styles of recent years, for obvious reasons, has been part of Merz b. Schwanen collections for years.
Merz b. Schwanen Long-sleeved heavy sweatshirts and their classic Good basics sweatpants are comfort clothing that both feels good, but restores that class and elegance you've been missing from other brands. These items are also made from organic cotton, though this time is heavier-weight and even more durable than Merz classic T-shirts.
Finally, we also stock Merz b. Schwanen wool socks in two different styles- retro sport and good originals. Both designs are made of 100% pure organic cotton and each design features a tonal shift for the heel and stripe around the top of the sock. They’re warm and playful with extra comfort added to each design through a unique weaving method.
Merz b. Scawanen reviving original circular knitting machines
Merz b. Schwanen fabrics are all made using the company's original French Circular Knitting machines which have found their way out of typical production over the past century. Few people still know how to use these machines and keeping them in good condition is becoming more and more challenging too.
The machines work by creating a seamless tube of fabric. This has many benefits, including the fact that there are no seams to cause discomfort within the pieces.
Pure organic cotton feels comfortable on the skin as it is a natural material. This fabric is durable as well as it means that two yarns are spun together to produce one thread. So much thought and passion have gone into the materials behind each Merz collection.
Frequently asked questions about Merz b. Schwanen
How should I take care of my Merz b. Schwanen garments?
Make sure you wash your items on a gentle cycle, using natural detergents and pull items into shape once they’ve come out of the wash.
It’s important to pull your items back into the shape they are meant to be afterwards, though always be careful with this step. Make sure you avoid the tumble drier. These items will dry naturally if they are given the time to.
Finally, chemicals with bleaching qualities can drain the colour gradient from garments and take the nuance out of white ones. You’re best sticking to colour wool detergent.
Can my Merz b. Schwanen product loose fit?
Naturally, pieces made from materials such as cotton might shrink when they’re in the washing machine. To start, to keep the shape of the items, make sure you never wash your items on a cycle stronger than 1,000 spins/min. This stops them from stretching whilst they’re inside the washing machine.
What is the Merz b. Schwanen sizing like?
The official advice from Merz b. Schwanen is to buy pieces with 2cm extra length as the garment will shrink in the first wash.
Also, they make it clear that each item from them is sized individually. This means it's important to take a look at the measurements of each of their garments before buying. You can do this by either looking online or seeing pieces on our shopfront in Copenhagen.
What other products are Merz b. Schwanen famous for?
Another popular product is the Merz b Schwanen pocket tee. This is made in the same style as their crew neck t-shirt only with a pocket detail on the front. It is made from 100% bio wool and doesn’t shrink like some of the other items do.
There is also a whole collection of Merz b Schwanen women's items. Again, these pieces show the same dedication to beautiful design and attention to detail as their menswear counterparts.