Le 31
Rib-Knit Johnny-Collar Sweater
CA$39.95CA$59.00-32%
In Stock
This is a long-sleeve pullover sweater with a Johnny collar, featuring a small V-shaped notch at the neckline and fitted ribbed cuffs. Made from a soft cotton-blend ribbed knit, it has vertical rib texture, a straight hem, and a matte navy finish. It is designed for everyday wear as a comfortable upper layer.
- Material
- cotton-blend
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops
Color
CharcoalWhiteBrownNavy/Midnight Blue
Size
MEDIUMLARGEX-LARGEXX-LARGESMALL
Specifications
A soft rib-knit sweater featuring an open, pointed Johnny collar for a stylish look.
Open pointed Johnny collar, soft cotton-blend ribbed knit
- Material
- cotton-blend
- Gender
- male
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops
Additional Attributes
- Open, pointed Johnny collar
- Soft cotton-blend ribbed knit
- Ribbed knit texture
- Johnny collar design
- Pullover style
Product Insights
The Rib-Knit Johnny-Collar Sweater from Le 31 offers a polished, layering-friendly silhouette with a flat Johnny collar and fitted rib knit that avoids bunching under a jacket, bridging smart casual. Its 70% recycled cotton and 30% polyester rib knit retains shape, resists bagging, and adds depth to solid colors. At $59 CAD, it undercuts premium Italian-collar styles while delivering stretch recovery and a premium feel. However, buyers must accept key tradeoffs: the lightweight knit provides insufficient warmth for standalone wear in 5–10°C, the ribbed texture is prone to pilling under friction, and cold washing with flat drying is recommended to preserve shape and reduce pilling.
Verified claims
- Collar
- Flat Johnny collar and fitted rib knit avoid bunching under a jacket.
- Layering weight
- Lightweight knit is best for layering, not standalone warmth in 5–10°C.
- Pilling
- Ribbed knit prone to pilling under friction on collar and underarms.
- Layering style
- Johnny collar flatters layered looks with a clean V-neck and soft texture, bridging smart casual.
- Knit performance
- Rib knit hugs body, retains shape after long wear, and adds depth to solid colors.
- Value
- Italian-collar style at $59.95, undercutting premium brands, made with 70% recycled cotton.
- Fit and stretch
- Buy true to size for a contoured fit or size up for a relaxed look, as rib knit stretches and snaps back.
- Material feel
- 70% recycled cotton and 30% polyester rib knit is thicker and adds visual depth to solid colors.
- Care
- Buyers recommend cold wash and flat drying to reduce pilling and preserve shape.
- Texture depth
- Ribbed knit adds dimensionality, enriching the appearance of solid colors.
- Brand origin
- Le 31 is Simons’ exclusive house brand, designed in Canada — cutting out traditional retail markups.
- Pricing
- At CDN$39.95 (on sale) it undercuts both basic crewnecks and $200+ designer Johnny-collar sweaters.
- Quality
- Rib knit delivers stretch recovery and a premium feel; the Johnny collar adds versatile polish.
- Shape retention
- Rib knit resists bagging and its cut edges do not curl after washing.
- Warmth
- Not warm enough for standalone wear at 5-10°C; best as a mid-layer.
- Edge stability
- Rib knit cut edges do not curl, so the collar and hem stay flat.
Product record
- Title
- Rib-Knit Johnny-Collar Sweater
- Brand
- Le 31
- Price
- 59 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
Le 31 brand reputation and value
- As a private label designed in Canada exclusively for Simons, Le 31 bypasses intermediary markups, allowing more of the retail price to fund materials and construction—a structural advantage that likely contributes to the brand's ability to incorporate eco‑certified yarns at a sub‑$60 CAD entry price.
How ribbed knit affects fit and feel
- Unlike single-knit jersey fabrics that roll at cut edges, rib knit lies flat at cut edges — so the open Johnny collar and hem stay clean and flat without the need for extra finishing, which keeps the design minimal and crisp.
- Unlike a flat knit that holds a crisp, structured silhouette, the rib construction gives this sweater a fluid, weighted drape that moves with the body and hangs close rather than standing away — so it reads as sleek and athletic, not slouchy or oversized.
- Because rib stitches mechanically expand and contract like a spring, the sweater stretches substantially in both width and length and snaps back to its original shape — the cuffs, hem, and collar resist bagging out even after a full day of wear.
- Rib knit is inherently thicker than plain jersey from the same yarn, so even a lightweight cotton-blend rib sweater has a more substantial hand-feel and slightly better insulation than a comparable smooth-knit layer.
- Rib knit's alternating columns pull the fabric inward, giving it a natural tendency to cling and follow body contours; even with a moderate amount of positive ease, this sweater will conform to the chest and shoulders more than a flat-knit sweater of the same nominal measurements would.
- The sweater's ribbed texture is created by alternating knit and purl stitches that form vertical ridges, giving the fabric a dimensional surface that catches light and adds visual depth beyond a smooth jersey knit.
- The ribbed surface creates tiny shadows along each ridge, which gives solid colors like Charcoal, Navy, and Brown a richer, more nuanced appearance than the same shade would on a flat knit — the sweater looks less “flat” and more visually engaging in person.
What a Johnny collar brings to a sweater
- Because Johnny collars are typically rendered in soft knits (cotton jersey, ribbed cotton-blends, lightweight wool) rather than rigid woven shirting, the collar falls with a natural, unstructured drape that avoids the stiffness of a dress-shirt collar — this is the reason it layers effortlessly under a blazer without buckling or adding bulk at the neck.
- The open neckline reads more refined than a crewneck but less formal than a spread-collar dress shirt, making the Johnny collar an ideal bridge piece for smart-casual dress codes — it can anchor a jeans-and-blazer look or pair with tailored trousers and loafers without feeling overdressed or underdressed.
- The Johnny collar's resurgence is part of the broader 2010s-2020s vintage menswear revival, driven by minimalist aesthetics and a return to 1990s-early 2000s influences — investing in this sweater means buying into a trend cycle that has shifted from novelty to a new menswear classic, not a flash-in-the-pan fad.
- The Johnny collar's defining feature is the absence of a front button placket, which creates a fixed V-neck opening that sits somewhere between a classic polo and a V-neck tee — the result is a cleaner, more modern neckline that visually lengthens the neck and eliminates the fidget factor of buttons.
- Frequently called the Italian collar, this style inherits a Mediterranean tailoring connotation that lifts it above a basic knit — it's the same effortless elegance that Italian fashion houses like Canali embed in their own Johnny-collar polos, making it a piece with aspirational pedigree rather than a generic sweater.
- The Johnny collar first gained traction in the 1950s and 1960s as a sportswear detail for golf and tennis, then became a staple of laid-back European summer style — today this heritage gives the sweater a vintage-leisure credibility that reads as both nostalgic and on-trend.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Close-up of a dark navy rib-knit long-sleeve sweater with a flat Johnny-style collar and visible rib texture across collar, body, and sleeves.
- Collar shapeFlat Johnny-style collar with a small V-shaped notch at the front center; collar appears to be a smoother, tighter knit than the body.
1 region
x 0.21 · y 0.18 · w 0.58 · h 0.18 (high) - Ribbed body textureVertical rib-knit texture visible across the torso and upper sleeves, creating narrow raised ribs and recessed channels.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.34 · w 0.88 · h 0.50 (high) - Sleeve and cuffLong sleeves with a tighter ribbed cuff at the wrist; left sleeve is crossed over the body and shows slight fabric fold and stretch.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.57 · w 0.35 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.55 · y 0.64 · w 0.38 · h 0.30 (medium) - Fabric appearanceMatte knit finish with uniform yarn thickness and no visible pattern other than the ribbing; knit pulls and seams are not visible in this crop.
Other
Studio portrait crop showing model from chest upward against a plain white background; soft directional lighting with minimal shadowing and a visible hand wearing rings resting on the sweater.
- Shot compositionCropped close-up framing from mid-chest to above the head, centering the collar and upper torso.
- BackgroundPlain white background with even studio lighting and no visible props other than the model.
- Model and accessoryMale model with head tilted slightly; left hand with two metal rings crosses the chest and partly covers the sweater cuff.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.57 · w 0.30 · h 0.22 (high); x 0.36 · y 0.20 · w 0.42 · h 0.40 (high) - Lighting and reflectionsSoft, diffused lighting from the front-left producing gentle highlights on the model's forehead and minimal shadows on the sweater folds.
Colors
navy blue· sweater body and sleeves#1E223A- Collar shapeFlat Johnny-style collar with a small V-shaped notch at the front center; collar appears to be a smoother, tighter knit than the body.
- 02
Product
Front view of a long-sleeve rib-knit sweater in a dark navy color with a Johnny-style fold-down collar and a small V-shaped notch at the neckline. The sweater has visible vertical rib texture, fitted ribbed cuffs, and a straight hem that sits near the model's waist.
- Collar shapeFold-down flat collar with pointed tips forming a Johnny-collar style lying flat against the chest and shoulders.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.18 · w 0.44 · h 0.12 (high) - Neckline notchSmall V-shaped notch centered under the collar at the front neckline.
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.25 · w 0.12 · h 0.07 (high) - Ribbed textureVertical rib-knit texture visible across the sweater body and sleeves, giving a fine ribbed appearance.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.18 · w 0.76 · h 0.58 (high) - Sleeve styleLong set-in sleeves that extend to fitted ribbed cuffs at the wrists.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.26 · w 0.18 · h 0.50 (high); x 0.70 · y 0.26 · w 0.18 · h 0.50 (high) - CuffsFitted ribbed cuffs narrower than the sleeve, visible at both wrists.
2 regions
x 0.10 · y 0.66 · w 0.12 · h 0.10 (medium); x 0.72 · y 0.66 · w 0.12 · h 0.10 (medium) - Hem and fitStraight hem resting at the model's waistline, hem appears slightly tucked or pressed into the waistband at the front.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.62 · w 0.56 · h 0.12 (high) - Material appearanceSoft knit appearance with a matte finish consistent with medium-weight yarn; no visible logos or printed text on the sweater surface.
Other
Studio shot showing a model from mid-thigh to slightly above the head against a plain white background with soft, even lighting and minimal shadows.
- Model poseModel facing slightly to the left with left hand in pocket and right arm relaxed by the side; head turned toward the left.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.06 · w 0.88 · h 0.88 (high) - Background and lightingEven white background with diffuse lighting that minimizes harsh shadows and highlights the sweater texture.
- Props and croppingNo props; image cropped to show product on model from upper thighs to above the head.
- Image qualitySharp focus on the sweater and model with neutral color rendering and no visible compression artifacts.
Colors
dark navy· sweater body#1E223B- Collar shapeFold-down flat collar with pointed tips forming a Johnny-collar style lying flat against the chest and shoulders.
- 03
Product
Rear view of a long-sleeve rib-knit sweater on a model, showing the back body, set-in sleeves, and a short folded johnny-style collar.
- Back bodyFlat back panel with visible vertical rib-knit texture, straight hem that sits at the waist, and no visible seams or decorative elements on the center back.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.14 · w 0.72 · h 0.60 (high) - CollarShort folded johnny-style collar sitting flat against the neckline, slightly narrower than the shoulder width.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.06 · w 0.32 · h 0.07 (high) - SleevesLong set-in sleeves with the same rib-knit texture as the body; sleeves taper slightly toward ribbed cuffs that are visible at the wrists.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.22 · w 0.28 · h 0.56 (high); x 0.66 · y 0.20 · w 0.28 · h 0.58 (high) - Hem and waistbandStraight lower hem with a slightly thicker ribbed waistband visible just above the pants, creating a subtle banded finish.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.66 · w 0.60 · h 0.12 (high) - Fabric appearanceEven, tightly ribbed knit with a matte finish and no visible pilling or shine.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.18 · w 0.60 · h 0.46 (high) - Shoulder and yokeShoulder seams sit near the top of the sleeve cap creating a smooth shoulder line; no separate yoke panel is visible.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.12 · w 0.72 · h 0.18 (high)
Other
Studio rear-facing product shot on a model against a plain light background; model's hands are in pants pockets and lighting is even with soft shadows.
- Model presenceMale model shown from the rear wearing the sweater; head and hair are visible above the neckline and the model's hands are placed in the front pockets of the pants.
2 regions
x 0.28 · y 0.00 · w 0.44 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.36 · y 0.74 · w 0.28 · h 0.22 (high) - Background and lightingEven neutral light background with soft diffuse lighting and minimal shadows, producing consistent color on the garment.
- Crop and framingImage framed to show the sweater from upper back to waist; lower part of the pants and the model's legs are cropped out of frame.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (low)
Colors
navy blue· sweater body#1E223B- Back bodyFlat back panel with visible vertical rib-knit texture, straight hem that sits at the waist, and no visible seams or decorative elements on the center back.
Documents & Data
Q&A
4 answered- Does this sweater tend to shrink in length or width after washing, and what is the recommended wash method to preserve the ribbed knit structure?
- Specific care instructions for this sweater are not listed, but as a general rule for cotton-blend rib knits, washing in cold water and laying flat to dry helps preserve shape and minimize shrinkage. Avoid wringing or hanging, as the weight can stretch the ribbing.
- How does the Johnny collar lie when worn under a jacket or blazer—does it stay flat or does the collar point pop up awkwardly?
- The Johnny collar is designed with an open, pointed shape that typically lies relatively flat, so it should sit neatly under a jacket or blazer without popping up awkwardly. The clean, minimal design avoids bulky button plackets that can cause bunching.
- Is this sweater substantial enough for standalone wear in mild winter (around 5-10°C) or is it strictly a layering piece?
- This cotton-blend rib-knit sweater is lightweight and best suited for layering. For mild winter temperatures around 5-10°C, it would likely not be substantial enough on its own and is better worn over a base layer or under a coat.
- How prone is the ribbed knit to pilling under normal wear, especially in areas of friction like the underarms or sides?
- Ribbed cotton-blend knits can be prone to pilling with friction, especially under the arms and along the sides. The likelihood depends on the exact fiber blend, but gentle washing and avoiding abrasive wear can help reduce pilling over time.