Merz b. Schwanen Australia · Stocked at The Rake

Merz b.
Schwanen.
Since 1911.

The Rake stocks the full Merz b. Schwanen range in-store in Newcastle and online with Australia-wide shipping. Loopwheeled T-shirts, sweatshirts, underwear and more — all in stock now.

Shop Merz b. Schwanen Australia

The brand

Merz b. Schwanen has been making knitwear in Albstadt, Germany since 1911. The same family, the same loopwheel machines, the same approach — slow, considered, built to last.

In 2011, Gitta and Peter Plotnicki revived the brand after the original family had shut down production, returning to the same century-old loopwheel machines and the same commitment to making things properly. Their T-shirts, sweatshirts and underwear are among the finest garments made in Germany — and among the most quietly influential pieces in any serious wardrobe.

Merz b. Schwanen in Australia

All available at The Rake · Ships Australia-wide

T-Shirts

Loopwheeled in Germany from organic cotton. The 215 is the benchmark — heavyweight, tubular, perfect.

Sweatshirts

Loopback fleece sweatshirts made on the same vintage machines. Soft on the inside, structured on the outside.

Long Sleeve

The same loopwheeled construction as the tees, extended for cooler months. Wears in beautifully over time.

Underwear

Boxer briefs and vests made from the same heavyweight organic cotton. The most underrated thing Merz makes.

As seen in

The T-shirt
from The Bear.

If you've watched The Bear, you've seen the 215 — the heavyweight loopwheeled tee worn by Carmy throughout the series. It's the one that made a lot of people stop and ask what he was wearing.

Shop the 215 T-Shirt

The 215 — what makes it different

7.2oz

Heavyweight loopwheeled cotton

1911

Year the machines were made

100%

Organic cotton · Made in Germany

Why we stock Merz b. Schwanen at The Rake

We stock Merz b. Schwanen because it represents something we believe in deeply: that the most ordinary garment, made properly, becomes something extraordinary.

A white T-shirt shouldn't be exciting. But when it's cut on a loopwheel machine from heavyweight organic cotton and sewn in Germany by people who've been doing this for over a century, it becomes the T-shirt you wear for ten years and never replace.

We carry the full Merz range in-store at 159 Hunter Street, Newcastle, and online with fast Australia-wide shipping. If you're looking for Merz b. Schwanen in Australia, The Rake is your stockist.

What is loopwheel construction?

Most T-shirts today are cut from flat fabric and sewn together, which creates seams that can twist, bunch and irritate over time. Loopwheel construction is different — the fabric is knitted in a continuous tube on a slow, vintage machine, which creates a fabric with natural elasticity and a characteristic softness that flat-knit cotton can't replicate.

Merz b. Schwanen operates some of the last working loopwheel machines in Germany. They run slowly — producing only a few metres of fabric per hour — which is why the garments cost what they cost, and why they last as long as they do.

It's the kind of thing you feel the first time you put one on, and understand completely the tenth time you wash it without it losing its shape.

Where can I buy Merz b. Schwanen in Australia?

The Rake is one of Australia's leading Merz b. Schwanen stockists. You can shop the full range in-store at 159 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW, or online at therake.com.au with Australia-wide shipping. We carry T-shirts, sweatshirts, long sleeves and underwear.

What T-shirt does Carmy wear in The Bear?

Carmy wears the Merz b. Schwanen 215 — a heavyweight loopwheeled crewneck T-shirt in white and natural. It's a 7.2oz organic cotton tee made on century-old loopwheel machines in Germany. We stock it at The Rake in Newcastle and online.

How does Merz b. Schwanen sizing work?

Merz b. Schwanen uses European sizing. Their T-shirts have a classic, slightly boxy fit — not slim cut. Most people find their usual size works well, though if you're between sizes we'd suggest sizing up for a more relaxed fit. Email cody@therake.com.au for specific sizing advice.

Is Merz b. Schwanen made in Germany?

Their GOOD ORIGINALS line — including the 215 and all loopwheeled pieces — is made entirely in Germany on century-old loopwheel machines in Albstadt. Their GOOD BASICS line is made in Portugal to the same quality standards. Both lines use organic cotton and are made without compromise.

What is the difference between the Merz 215 and 214?

Both are 7.2oz loopwheeled T-shirts — the 215 has a classic fit and the 214 has a slightly more relaxed, oversized fit. Both are made from the same heavyweight organic cotton on the same machines. The choice is really about whether you prefer a closer or looser silhouette.

Do you ship Merz b. Schwanen Australia-wide?

Yes — we ship to every state and territory in Australia via Australia Post. Free standard shipping on all orders over A$200. Express shipping available at checkout for A$15. Orders are dispatched within 1 business day from our Newcastle store.