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Though not as glamorous as cashmere, the humble and hardwearing lambswool sweater is a cold weather wardrobe staple. And it seems to me that it is often overlooked as an excellent lightweight choice for staying warm. Lambswool sweaters traditionally come in three shapes: cardigan, crew neck and v-neck. Lambswool vests usually come in button-front and v-neck designs, and also work well under jackets and cardigans. The above image shows the three basic shapes from a variety of clothiers. When traveling in cold weather, I often either wear or bring a v-neck pullover with me, as it helps me reach into shirt pockets to get at tickets, throat lozenges, lists - whatever. When winter really sets in there is no better combination than a lambswool sweater and a tweed jacket. I've been wearing more sweaters and jackets lately, so lambswool sweaters have been on my mind. I have a number of older sweaters from years ago that I still wear regularly, and that's the thing about a good lambswool sweater - they can last for a long time.
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This Lands' End v-neck is one great sweater. It is old. It is fraying and patched. I wouldn't part with it. It has been everywhere and is still trucking' along.
This sweater comes from a time when Lands' End imported goods made for them from England and Scotland. The quality of the sweater is evident given the number of years (read decades) I have had it, and that it still looks presentable.
It is frayed along the hem.
It is patched at the elbows, but fortunately the cuffs haven't begun to fray…yet.
I have another identical Lands' End lambswool v-neck in burgundy from England. Both of these sweaters have saddle shoulders, and are very comfortable.
L.L. Bean, at one time, also offered lambswool sweaters made in England and Scotland. The above sweater is a cardigan that also has been very hardwearing and serviceable. The idea of sweaters as serviceable garments that can be worn for daily tasks, as opposed to luxury garments, is one that has always appealed to me. Clothes for
getting things done.
Of course, a navy lambswool cardigan goes well with a pair of Tan Cords, but then, what doesn't?
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Now this is probably where my orthodoxy will come into question, but as long as we are talking about lambswool, I have a Benetton sweater in olive green that is simply one of the best shades of olive I've ever seen. It was one of those post-holiday purchases found on a sale table so many years ago. It has subtle shades of navy and purple mixed into the olive drab making a great shade of green. It is a testament to the quality of the garment that I have had it for years (again read decades) and it is still going strong. Speaking of Benetton, I remember being in New York City for a job interview after college around the holidays, and picking up a Fair Isle sweater for my sister that looked absolutely lovely on her. I also have an L.L. Bean Norwegian sweater that was received in a family gift exchange from my father that always reminds me of him when I wear it. Sweaters are often given and received as gifts at this time of the year, and that's the thing about sweaters - they can accumulate and carry memories.
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Regarding the Benetton sweater in question, it is a very practical sweater as seen here with a blue Brooks Brothers candy stripe OCBD. Surprises often abound on sale tables.
Finally, since I'm taking a walk down 'Winter's Memory Lane', there is the camel v-neck from Huntington Clothiers that I've also had for years. It is a very heavy lambswool sweater, and wearing it with a tweed jacket needs to be approached with caution. But then, that's the great thing about a sweater, one can always take the jacket off if one gets a bit too warm doing whatever is making one too warm in the first place. And this is what makes a lambswool sweater the Genuine Article - they are hardwearing, long-lasting, warm, saddle shouldered sweaters that help one in one's daily tasks. They are functional.
All of this talk about old sweaters is great, but where can one go today to find the Genuine Article? Where can one find a lambswool sweater with saddle shoulders that carries that imprimatur of "Made in Scotland" or some such place that raises sheep that thrive in inclement weather? There are a few places that one can go.
L.L. Bean still offers a lambswool v-neck, but though the yarns are spun in England, the sweater is made in China. Definitely not like the old days. But the price is affordable.
O'Connell's carries a wide range of lambswool sweaters in v-neck, crew neck, cardigan and vest designs. They are made in Scotland and come in a wide variety of colors.
Bahle's of Suttons Bay offers sweaters by Scott & Charters, all of which are made in Scotland, and also come in a variety of colors.
Finally,
J. Press also offers lambswool v-neck sweaters that are made in Scotland, though the color choices are not as wide as both O'Connell's and Bahle's. On sale, these appear to be an excellent choice.
In this season of cold weather and good cheer, I can think of no more quiet and stalwart a sweater for work, home, travel and generally dashing out and about town. There's always a lot to do these days, and a v-neck lambswool sweater will help keep one warm while surging about, allowing one to get at that "To Do List" that often occupies so many shirt pockets these days so that we can all
get things done.
