Military 'woolly pully' sweaters

[Ticklishchap]

I have just received a 15% discount offer from Outdoor Knitwear which I fully intend to use to add to my collection of military sweaters.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

... And it was my turn to break out an Olive drab Woolly Pully this morning, worn with a Barbour jacket and a tweed cap.

That sounds a very good smart-casual look indeed.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I have just received a 15% discount offer from Outdoor Knitwear which I fully intend to use to add to my collection of military sweaters.

Which new one may you go for?

 

[Ticklishchap]

Which new one may you go for?

Probably a Navy roll neck - as I already have such a large collection of the crew necks!

 

[Ticklishchap]

That sounds a very good smart-casual look indeed.

And very satisfying to get to the time of year when I can wear it.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I have just taken advantage of the 15% offer from OKW by placing an order for a Navy Woolly Pully Roll Neck.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I have just taken advantage of the 15% offer from OKW by placing an order for a Navy Woolly Pully Roll Neck.

Well done, I hope you like it when it comes.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Well done, I hope you like it when it comes.

Thanks. I can’t wait!

 

[Ticklishchap]

Very much Woolly Pully weather today and I have been enjoying my black Royal Tank Regt WP.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Very much Woolly Pully weather today and I have been enjoying my black Royal Tank Regt WP.

I was wearing my black crew neck Woolly Pully on Saturday and Peat Brown on Friday, however with the sudden very odd weather over the past couple of days** it was far too mild, but it seems to have gone back to normal autumn weather today, I am in a Navy WP at the moment. By the way, "Ticklishchap", did you get the Navy Roll Neck Sweater you mentioned above?

**Did anyone else in the UK see the very strange yellow sky and red sun yesterday afternoon. All caused by after effects of storm Ophelia, it was very eerie indeed.?

 

[Musher]

I know that (in the Northern Hemisphere at least), it might not be the best time to be posting about knitwear, but are there any fellow aficionados of the classic military commando sweater or 'woolly pully' (ribbed wool, patches at shoulders and elbows)?

I have been wearing them since my schooldays and now have quite a collection in terms of colours: olive green, nay, air force blue, black, rifle green. ... It would be good to obtain one of the earliest versions, which were a light khaki colour I think.

They are comfortable, breathable and durable, last for years and have a timeless quality. Do others on this site have such positive experiences of these sweaters?

Indeed I put one on this morning. I bought 2 during my Army days at the PX at Weisbaden Air Force Base in 1976 and have always used and liked commando sweaters for over 40 years. I think I have about 6 or 7 now.

 

[Musher]

I would say over the last...23 years I've owned about 3 or 4 of them. The original British made "Wooly Pully" that was sold by Brigade Quartermasters were always the best quality.

Brigade used to sell one color per service (Army- black, Navy-dark blue, USAF-lt. blue, USMC- olive, and I believe there was a brown one as well) - but no longer. Does anyone know if the US military still has them as an official uniform item? In this day and age of polypropylene and tightening budgets I can't imagine they'd still exist.

A quick Google search tantalized me that you can get an OD Brigade Wooly Pully on Amazon...but they're "currently unavailable" with no known date as to when they'll be back in stock (I'm guessing never). You can also get an acrylic official US Merchant Marine version at the Lighthouse Uniform Company.

I currently own a 100% wool Navy blue version by Rothco (which I bought with much reservation) but it's thick, durable and (surprisingly) well made.

I think "What Price Glory" sells a repro "Commando Sweater" with neck drawstring which was the forerunner of the modern Wooly Pully. You can see Daniel Craig sporting one in "Sword of Honour".

Sportsman Guide carries real military surplus commando sweaters from the U.S. Marines and various countries at very good prices.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Indeed I put one on this morning. I bought 2 during my Army days at the PX at Weisbaden Air Force Base in 1976 and have always used and liked commando sweaters for over 40 years. I think I have about 6 or 7 now.

You’re very much a man after my own heart. I’ve been wearing commando sweaters for over 40 years - had my first aged about 11 (and very interested in everything to do with the Army) and wore them both in leisure time and in the Corps at school from 14-18. Have enjoyed wearing them ever since and possess an embarrassing number - although in fact I’m proud of it. Have been wearing the Navy version today.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I was wearing my black crew neck Woolly Pully on Saturday and Peat Brown on Friday, however with the sudden very odd weather over the past couple of days** it was far too mild, but it seems to have gone back to normal autumn weather today, I am in a Navy WP at the moment. By the way, "Ticklishchap", did you get the Navy Roll Neck Sweater you mentioned above?

**Did anyone else in the UK see the very strange yellow sky and red sun yesterday afternoon. All caused by after effects of storm Ophelia, it was very eerie indeed.?

I am glad Ophelia has now gone along with her ghastly 1970s taste in colour. I hated the strange skies and the humidity.
Also in Navy crew neck WP now. I have the roll neck Navy but it’s not been cold enough for it yet. I look forward. And I’ll post a photo as promised.
Ticklishchap.

 

[Musher]

I am surprised so many people share this passion. I have always loved them yet rarely see another person wearing one. Great thread!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I am surprised so many people share this passion. I have always loved them yet rarely see another person wearing one. Great thread!

Yes it is interesting how many people do like these sweaters and you are correct, you do not seem to see many being worn when out & about these days. However there is obviously the high demand for these going by the number of firms that still make and sell them. I only like the pure wool versions, they are hard wearing, look and feel great and of course keep one warm.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I am surprised so many people share this passion. I have always loved them yet rarely see another person wearing one. Great thread!

I see quite a few men wearing them when I go hiking in the countryside outside London. They are ideal country wear both for outdoors and country pubs, etc. Certainly when I was younger most of my make friends had one or two of them and they are coming back gradually, as are wool sweaters generally. One of the reasons why commando sweaters (aka Woolly Pullies or WPs) might be less popular is that the Armed Forces have lost status because of funding cuts and political correctness: they would not now be able to defend us if we were under genuine threat of invasion. Wearing them often goes with an interest in the Armed Forces. I really like them because of their military associations and because they are extremely comfortable and have a rugged, manly quality. I also like the ribbed wool, turn-back cuffs and patches! I'm enjoying wearing one today (my Navy WP again).

Do you have a particular favourite WP in terms of colour?

 

[Ticklishchap]

Sportsman Guide carries real military surplus commando sweaters from the U.S. Marines and various countries at very good prices.

And, as mentioned in this thread, there is Outdoor Knitwear. www.outdoorknitwear.com They have a very good and varied range - and quite frequent special offers. (No, I don't work for them but they've been my supplier for years and many other chaps on this thread have used them.)

 

[Musher]

I see quite a few men wearing them when I go hiking in the countryside outside London. They are ideal country wear both for outdoors and country pubs, etc. Certainly when I was younger most of my make friends had one or two of them and they are coming back gradually, as are wool sweaters generally. One of the reasons why commando sweaters (aka Woolly Pullies or WPs) might be less popular is that the Armed Forces have lost status because of funding cuts and political correctness: they would not now be able to defend us if we were under genuine threat of invasion. Wearing them often goes with an interest in the Armed Forces. I really like them because of their military associations and because they are extremely comfortable and have a rugged, manly quality. I also like the ribbed wool, turn-back cuffs and patches! I'm enjoying wearing one today (my Navy WP again).

Do you have a particular favourite WP in terms of colour?

Here in the U.S. there is more support for our military than at any other point in my lifetime, certainly a lot more than when I was in during the Vietnam Era. A lot of retailers and gyms offer veterans discounts now for the first time in my experience. I just think most Americans are probably not trim enough for a commando sweater. As for colors, I always liked the navy blue, and own a wool one, but since I am around Siberian huskies 24-7 the lighter colors I own in wool - beige, and oatmeal - get more use. The oatmeal is an old Cabelas Made in England version and is the oldest one I own. I have an Italian OD green military surplus wool blend that also gets a lot of use, and a khaki acrylic version by Rothco that is the one I wear most when doing my morning kennel duties. It's not as warm as a real wp but lower maintenance when working with dogs. Cabelas even came out with a cotton jersey "shooters sweater" with elbow and shoulder patches like a commando sweater. That one also gets a lot of use. Have a grey wool one too. I love them.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Here in the U.S. there is more support for our military than at any other point in my lifetime, certainly a lot more than when I was in during the Vietnam Era. A lot of retailers and gyms offer veterans discounts now for the first time in my experience. I just think most Americans are probably not trim enough for a commando sweater. As for colors, I always liked the navy blue, and own a wool one, but since I am around Siberian huskies 24-7 the lighter colors I own in wool - beige, and oatmeal - get more use. The oatmeal is an old Cabelas Made in England version and is the oldest one I own. I have an Italian OD green military surplus wool blend that also gets a lot of use, and a khaki acrylic version by Rothco that is the one I wear most when doing my morning kennel duties. It's not as warm as a real wp but lower maintenance when working with dogs. Cabelas even came out with a cotton jersey "shooters sweater" with elbow and shoulder patches like a commando sweater. That one also gets a lot of use. Have a grey wool one too. I love them.

You certainly have a fine collection of these sweaters. I do remember when I was staying in Boston Mass many years ago, taking the local Amtrack railway train to a town called Salem, it was not far from Boston, I noticed a surplus shop in the main street in Salem and they had a few army green military sweaters, wool/ribbed/round neck, looked very similar to those we have here in the UK.