Military 'woolly pully' sweaters

[Ticklishchap]

I recently purchased sweaters from OKW. I was FLOORED by the quality of ALL sweaters that I received. They sent me 2 of the wrong sweaters that didn't have the patches I was looking for. Hopefully they will make amends with me but even then the ones I do have far outshine the error they made.

Sizing was another issue. Everyone says the Wooly Pullys run very small. I don't think so at all. I chose one size up from my normal size and I had to shrink a few in the dryer. Better to shrink down than stretch up I imagine.

I paid roughly $100 per sweater. I could see some of these on the ralph lauren website priced at $400/500 each. They are that superior in quality.

Apparently LL BEAN used to carry them. I found out about them in a sweater review on the BEAN website.

Highly Recommended.

Congratulations! Are you new to the delights of Woolly Pullies ('Wooly' in US English, I know) or have you had them before? And, may I ask you what colours you chose?

 

[Sonero]

Congratulations! Are you new to the delights of Woolly Pullies ('Wooly' in US English, I know) or have you had them before? And, may I ask you what colours you chose?

I have owned one or two during the 80's by a german military brand " Bundenwear" ? Spelling is off. The military look has always interested me from a fashion perspective.

Recently I fell in love with shawl collars and british country wear from Cordings UK, Walker and Hawkes, Barboour and Alan Paine. One thing lead to another and I went on a sweater binge. I am leaning towards 50yrs old and want a classic wardrobe.

From OKW I purchased woolys in derby tweed and peat brown. Both have washable suede patches. I also purchased an off white and navy submariner norwegian nautical sweaters. They are absolutely stunning. When my order arrived I purchased yet another 2 roll neck woollys with *Harris Tweed patches instead of the normal cotton blend.

I've got to be careful not to militarize the outfits too much with these sweaters. I live in San Diego which is a military town. Again the idea was to lock into a british/italian country look.

It's the new me !

 

[Sonero]

By the way how do you guys store your sweaters during the off season ? I am getting conflicting information online. I guess they need to breather so no Ziploc Bags ? I just went out today to purchase air proof bags and now I find out I can't use them. Instead I will put them in cloth laundry bags.

Any other ideas ?

 

[Gamma68]

By the way how do you guys store your sweaters during the off season ? I am getting conflicting information online. I guess they need to breather so no Ziploc Bags ? I just went out today to purchase air proof bags and now I find out I can't use them. Instead I will put them in cloth laundry bags.

Any other ideas ?

I place my wool sweaters in dresser drawers with a couple cedar blocks to repel moths. No issues to date.

 

[Sonero]

I place my wool sweaters in dresser drawers with a couple cedar blocks to repel moths. No issues to date.

Where do you purchase cedar blocks from ? Maybe I can throw a few cigars in there

 

[Gamma68]

Where do you purchase cedar blocks from ? Maybe I can throw a few cigars in there

Purchased them at either Home Depot or Lowe's. You can also find them on Amazon. They're pretty common.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I have owned one or two during the 80's by a german military brand " Bundenwear" ? Spelling is off. The military look has always interested me from a fashion perspective.

Recently I fell in love with shawl collars and british country wear from Cordings UK, Walker and Hawkes, Barboour and Alan Paine. One thing lead to another and I went on a sweater binge. I am leaning towards 50yrs old and want a classic wardrobe.

From OKW I purchased woolys in derby tweed and peat brown. Both have washable suede patches. I also purchased an off white and navy submariner norwegian nautical sweaters. They are absolutely stunning. When my order arrived I purchased yet another 2 roll neck woollys with *Harris Tweed patches instead of the normal cotton blend.

I've got to be careful not to militarize the outfits too much with these sweaters. I live in San Diego which is a military town. Again the idea was to lock into a british/italian country look.

It's the new me !

San Diego is a well-known military town. I'd like to go there as I have heard nothing but good things about it. I have been to the Bay Area, Northern California and the Sierra Nevada, but your city is very much on my list. ...

You are clearly a man after my own heart as the British/Italian country look is my daily wear, including Barbour jackets, tweed caps, corduroy trousers, etc, along with wool military sweaters. In London those of us who have had some breadth of education call it 'res in urge' (literally 'country in city').

My Derby Tweed Woolly Pully (hereafter WP) is standard military with epaulettes and pen pocket as well as the usual patches at the shoulder and elbow. I have the Pear Brown in that style as well, but also the model with washable suede patches, which you might have noticed is somewhat longer than the standard WP, with the potential to cover the entire butt as well as stretching to the hips: I have a rude name for this sweater that I shall tell you if you PM me, but I like wearing it. I have a large number of WPs in the standard military style and most frequently wear Army, Navy, Air Force blue and Black - although I'm in Dark Grey Mix today. Like you I also have submariner sweaters and quite a few Guernsey (Channel Island fishermen's sweaters, also used by the military: you might want to take a look at these sometime as well).

I am a habitue of the WP: the first one (Army) I bought in the late 70s in my pre-teen years and soon followed it with Navy and RAF. I think it was probably being interested in the Armed Forces at that age that led to this and being in the Corps at my boys' boarding school and then at university - where WPs also kept me warm in the cold rooms! I have enjoyed wearing them ever since.

 

[Sonero]

San Diego is a well-known military town. I'd like to go there as I have heard nothing but good things about it. I have been to the Bay Area, Northern California and the Sierra Nevada, but your city is very much on my list. ...

You are clearly a man after my own heart as the British/Italian country look is my daily wear, including Barbour jackets, tweed caps, corduroy trousers, etc, along with wool military sweaters. In London those of us who have had some breadth of education call it 'res in urge' (literally 'country in city').

My Derby Tweed Woolly Pully (hereafter WP) is standard military with epaulettes and pen pocket as well as the usual patches at the shoulder and elbow. I have the Pear Brown in that style as well, but also the model with washable suede patches, which you might have noticed is somewhat longer than the standard WP, with the potential to cover the entire butt as well as stretching to the hips: I have a rude name for this sweater that I shall tell you if you PM me, but I like wearing it. I have a large number of WPs in the standard military style and most frequently wear Army, Navy, Air Force blue and Black - although I'm in Dark Grey Mix today. Like you I also have submariner sweaters and quite a few Guernsey (Channel Island fishermen's sweaters, also used by the military: you might want to take a look at these sometime as well).

I am a habitue of the WP: the first one (Army) I bought in the late 70s in my pre-teen years and soon followed it with Navy and RAF. I think it was probably being interested in the Armed Forces at that age that led to this and being in the Corps at my boys' boarding school and then at university - where WPs also kept me warm in the cold rooms! I have enjoyed wearing them ever since.

If you get the chance post a picture of a Guernsey. Never heard of them.


Originally from NYC

I

 

[Gamma68]

If you get the chance post a picture of a Guernsey. Never heard of them.


Originally from NYC

I happen to own one by Le Tricoteur. It's an excellent sweater--well worth the purchase price.

 

[Ticklishchap]

If you get the chance post a picture of a Guernsey. Never heard of them.


Originally from NYC

I

I love NYC.

Gamma68 has posted a very representative image of a traditional Guernsey. Needless to say I have one in that colour, which has an historical association with the Royal Navy, and I also have the New Natural (sometimes called Oatmeal) and Olive versions, both of which have Army associations. In addition I have Breton Red, Corvette Blue, Black (Royal Tank Regiment), Bottle Green, Silver and Cream! As with the WP, these have been staples of my wardrobe since the 1970s.

There are two websites you need to look at:

www.channeljumper.com

www.guernseywoollens.com

The Traditional style (as in Gamma 68's photo) is the most authentic and in my view the one to go for. As he says, it's well worth the purchase price.

 

[Sonero]

I happen to own one by Le Tricoteur. It's an excellent sweater--well worth the purchase price.

Thanks.

OKW has a similar version. I purchased it last week. Great looking sweater.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Thanks.

OKW has a similar version. I purchased it last week. Great looking sweater.

It certainly is: despite being an expert on OKW, I didn't know they were producing a Guernsey now. I've had one of mine for 20+ years as they are so rugged.

 

[Sonero]

It certainly is: despite being an expert on OKW, I didn't know they were producing a Guernsey now. I've had one of mine for 20+ years as they are so rugged.

I have mine with me in mexico but the file size is too large to post. I will say it looks very similar. Located on OKW roll down collar menu. Comes in natural and navy. Not sure it is a guernsey but is a dead ringer from what I see.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I have mine with me in mexico but the file size is too large to post. I will say it looks very similar. Located on OKW roll down collar menu. Comes in natural and navy. Not sure it is a guernsey but is a dead ringer from what I see.

Ah yes, I think it's the 'Portsmouth' - which is named after a Naval city.

 

[CNYC]

I love NYC.

Gamma68 has posted a very representative image of a traditional Guernsey. Needless to say I have one in that colour, which has an historical association with the Royal Navy, and I also have the New Natural (sometimes called Oatmeal) and Olive versions, both of which have Army associations. In addition I have Breton Red, Corvette Blue, Black (Royal Tank Regiment), Bottle Green, Silver and Cream! As with the WP, these have been staples of my wardrobe since the 1970s.

There are two websites you need to look at:

www.channeljumper.com

www.guernseywoollens.com

The Traditional style (as in Gamma 68's photo) is the most authentic and in my view the one to go for. As he says, it's well worth the purchase price.

Channel Jumper has some nice things but I can't figure out sizing. Would you know what a USA chest size of 50 inches would be in Channel ?

Are the sweaters nice and thick ?

Thanks

 

[Ticklishchap]

Channel Jumper has some nice things but I can't figure out sizing. Would you know what a USA chest size of 50 inches would be in Channel ?

Are the sweaters nice and thick ?

Thanks

Yes, the sweaters are nice and thick but designed to 'breathe' nicely too so you can wear them on the go as well as sitting around. The best design from the aesthetic point of view and breathability is the traditional - as worn by sailors (including Royal Navy) for generations.
sizing-chart
The above link should take you to the sizing chart on the Guernsey Woollens site. The advice to buy one slightly larger than your 'normal' sweater size is good. On the Channel Jumper site you can also click on the Traditional (Burhou) Guernsey icon and then select your size.
The sizes are the same in the US as the UK. I am the same size as you!

 

[Musher]

For all you Commando Sweater fans. Sportsman Guide has a new shipment of Dutch military surplus commando sweaters in two colors, off-white and black. The off-white is 100% wool and the black is 80%. Made in the Netherlands. New, never issued.

 

[Ticklishchap]

For all you Commando Sweater fans. Sportsman Guide has a new shipment of Dutch military surplus commando sweaters in two colors, off-white and black. The off-white is 100% wool and the black is 80%. Made in the Netherlands. New, never issued.

Thanks Mush. I'll take a look!

 

[Musher]

I already ordered mine, one of each. Lol.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I did not get message/alerts about these recent updates. (I seem to miss these sometimes.) Anyway I just looked at SG website, they have an interesting selection and the prices look good too.