Military 'woolly pully' sweaters

[Ticklishchap]

I saw a discount code from Outdoor Knitwear in my junk folder today - celebrating over 70 years of the WP.

Yes, I have this as well. It's great to see that the WP is 70 years old and it's worth celebrating.

 

[mariner]

Nice J.Pick & Sons submariner. Interestingly I have a Size 2 from them that is much bigger than standard 2, more like a hard to find 3. The modern versions from Outdoor / Kempton don't even come close to this quality and weight.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291919236838?ul_noapp=true

 

[wdw]

I wore my OKW roll neck WP for the first time this Autumn/Fall and must admit it looks good even with a Type 3. It's a very good buy with the discount.

 

[Ticklishchap]

That's useful to know as I have just received their discount.

I agree that the Pick submariners were thicker and woollier than OKW's. My Silverman's sub matches the Pick quality but it's about 15 years old.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I wore my OKW roll neck WP for the first time this Autumn/Fall and must admit it looks good even with a Type 3. It's a very good buy with the discount.

May I ask what colour it is?

 

[wdw]

@Ticklishchap, it's the beige/natural, which works well with anything. I wore my purple v-neck WP today, and that was another good buy at a great price.

 

[Ticklishchap]

@wdw, it's a good colour - I have a crew neck in it and it goes with everything. I have the purple crew neck WP as well. I haven't worn it as often as some of the others, but I like the unusual and understated colour.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Am enjoying the Patchless Black WP I ordered from OKW as part of their 15% off offer. Very versatile sweater.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I am wearing my olive green OKW WP Roll Neck today, nice and snug fitting.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I have been wearing my Navy and Dark Grey Mix WPs a lot over the past few weeks. I'm thinking of getting the Purple Mix with epps and pen pocket.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I have been wearing my Navy and Dark Grey Mix WPs a lot over the past few weeks. I'm thinking of getting the Purple Mix with epps and pen pocket.

Yes, the weather has been suitable for these sweaters recently.

 

[Ticklishchap]

First day of the year and I'm enjoying my Army WP. Good way to start. ...

 

[Ticklishchap]

With the freezing weather, it's possible that I might start the day wearing two WPs (one on top of the other). Not something I've done for some time, but enjoyable nonetheless.

 

[BlueTrain]

I wore one of mine today. I think this one is Dutch. I also have a British one, a French one and I might even have a German one somewhere at home.

During WWII, when British commandos were issued with so-called windproof suits, now usually called SAS windproofs, they were also issued the original commando sweaters (jumpers or pullovers). All British solders were issued thinner sweaters, usually called jumpers, as well, and as part of the cold weather ensemble initially created for operations in Norway, it was expected that the thicker jersey would be worn over the thinner one. The French also developed a similar clothing system at about the same time, first used coincidentally in Norway. The thinner sweater continued to be issued into the 1960s but was finally phased out when olive green combat dress became general issue and the "jersey, heavy wool" became a regular part of the outfit. Two were issued when the sweater was considered part of the field uniform but these days, a soldier is only issued one.

Although fairly practical in cold weather, they really are heavy and eventually develop holes and also need to be washed carefully. Fleece garments have come and gone since the jersey ceased to be a field garment, replaced by something called a thermal jacket.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Thank you, Blue Train, for your very interesting post and it's good to meet a kindred spirit who likes his WPs. I assure you that the WP is worn regularly by all three of the British armed forces and that WPs and wool sweaters (often jumpers in the UK) are enjoying a renaissance especially with the increasing realisation that fleece is ugly and uncomfortable. The advantage that wool and other natural fibres have over synthetics is that they breathe easily and so although they keep the body warm they do not cause over-heating.
Apparently Outdoor Knitwear are planning to bring out a souvenir issue of the 'original' commando sweater this year: I look forward to acquiring one. Meanwhile enjoy your Dutch and other WPs.

 

[BlueTrain]

Fleece was never intended to be worn as an outer garment. The fleece jacket was produced for a while in a camouflage pattern but they went back to the plain one, which is an awful leaf-green color. I actually think that fleece is much more durable, warmer, usually lighter in weight and absorbs less water. This is true for all fleece and although there are differences, one person's fleece is as good as anyone else's, the chief difference being in the weight. Two disadvantages of fleece include being high friction, which you notice when putting it on, and a tendency to build up static electricity. It isn't flame proof unless treated but that's true of wool knit, too. But moths won't eat fleece.

When I was in the army in the 1960s, there were "pile" garments on issue. There were liners for the field jacket, the parka and even the trousers but only the field jacket liner was generally used and it was warm, if bulky. We weren't issued sweaters. Both fleece and pile are basically imitation sheepskin, which was actually used for garments in WWII.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I'm afraid you'll just never convert me to the f- word, fleece that is! But I'm pleased to share your sensible taste in sweaters.

 

[BlueTrain]

I try not to be dogmatic in these matters and, anyway, I have no taste.

 

[Hal]

All British solders were issued thinner sweaters, usually called jumpers, as well...The thinner sweater continued to be issued into the 1960s but was finally phased out when olive green combat dress became general issue and the "jersey, heavy wool" became a regular part of the outfit.

If I recall correctly, the thinner jumper had a V neck and so could be invisibly worn under the later battledress blouse which had lapels and was worn with a tie; perhaps some soldiers kept theirs to wear under the later and smarter (belted?) tunic.

 

[Ticklishchap]

If I recall correctly, the thinner jumper had a V neck and so could be invisibly worn under the later battledress blouse which had lapels and was worn with a tie; perhaps some soldiers kept theirs to wear under the later and smarter (belted?) tunic.

That matches my memory as well and I think the thinner v-neck jumpers can still be bought from one of the specialist retro firms.