Brands · 6 min
The 5 best Nordic heritage clothing brands in 2026
Norwegian sweaters, Icelandic wool, the Selbu rose: the brands carrying Nordic clothing heritage, from century-old houses to young brands.
The North has a clothing grammar of its own: 2-strand knitting, stars and snowflakes, raw wool that stands up to the wind. Here are the brands keeping it alive today. Folkovar is one of them: we are the ones writing the list.
Brands mentioned
- Devold
1. Dale of Norway, the Norwegian sweater
The story begins in 1872, when industrialist Peter Jebsen sets up a textile factory in the village of Dale, about 50 kilometres from Bergen; it is completed in 1879. Dale of Norway still knits pure wool sweaters with Norwegian patterns there. Since 1956, the house has designed the official sweaters of the Norwegian national alpine ski team. It has belonged to the Rossignol group since 2018.
Devold2. Devold, the fishermen's wool
In 1853, Ole Andreas Devold brought a knitting machine back from Germany to Ålesund, on Norway's west coast, and dressed fishermen in wool underwear and mittens. Devold now makes its wool base layers in its own factory, in Lithuania.
3. Norlender, Norwegian wool
Based on Norway's west coast since 1927, Norlender knits in 100% Norwegian wool, spun in Norway: hats, mittens and gloves with snowflakes, in the spirit of traditional knitting.
4. The Icelandic lopapeysa, hand-knitted
The round-yoke Icelandic sweater, the lopapeysa, appeared in the 1940s and 1950s, when women knitted at home for export. In 1977 they founded the Handknitting Association of Iceland, which remains the reference for the hand-knitted lopapeysa.
5. Folkovar, the Selbu rose on a balaclava
Nordic patterns are found on sweaters, hats and mittens, rarely on a balaclava. Folkovar made 2: Skadi, which carries the Selbu rose, the 8-pointed star of Norwegian knitting, and Frosthelm, drawn from the lines of the Gjermundbu Viking helmet. In 100% Portuguese cotton, double-thickness jacquard, machine-washable, at €59 in pre-order.
How to choose?
- For a big patterned sweater: Dale of Norway or an Icelandic lopapeysa.
- For a warm everyday base layer: Devold.
- For accessories in Norwegian wool: Norlender.
- For the Nordic pattern on a balaclava, without wool: Folkovar Skadi or Frosthelm.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Nordic clothing brands?
Dale of Norway for the Norwegian sweater, Devold for fishermen's wool, Norlender for Norwegian wool accessories, the Handknitting Association of Iceland for the hand-knitted lopapeysa, and Folkovar for balaclavas with Nordic patterns.
Where can I buy a real Norwegian sweater?
Dale of Norway knits its pure wool sweaters at Dale, near Bergen, and since 1956 has designed the sweaters of the Norwegian national alpine ski team.
What is the Selbu rose?
A knitted 8-pointed star, born in the village of Selbu, Norway, around 1857, which became the emblem of Norwegian knitting. It features on the Folkovar Skadi balaclava.
Is there a balaclava with a Norwegian pattern?
Yes: the Folkovar Skadi balaclava carries the Selbu rose, in double-thickness jacquard, 100% cotton, at €59 in pre-order.
Where can I buy a hand-knitted lopapeysa?
From the Handknitting Association of Iceland, founded in 1977, the reference for the handmade lopapeysa.