Well, it’s that time of year again – when San Francisco enters its second summer while the rest of the Northern Hemisphere gets our their scarves and pumpkin carving kits. My body and soul are already deep in autumn, though, as I sit in my apartment with a bad cold making chicken soup for myself. So even though the weather is against me, my thoughts have turned to fall and one of my favorite fall pieces – Shetland sweaters.
Shetland Sweaters – History and Style
First, a quick note about what Shetland sweaters are (and aren’t) – Shetland sweaters are knitted from Shetland wool, which comes from sheep in the unsurprisingly named Shetland Isles, a remote area in Scotland. These sheep are known for their fine, hard-wearing wool, which makes for excellent knitwear. In 2011 Shetland wool gained protected status, meaning that much like scotch, Shetland wool can only come from Shetland sheep. For this reason, basically all the ‘authentic’ Shetland sweaters will be made by a handful of makers in Scotland. You can find lambswool sweaters in similar styles (and I included some in this list), but technically they aren’t actual Shetland sweaters.
Shetland sweaters can come in many forms – cable knits, fair isles, cardigans, etc – but the classic piece is a plain knit crewneck with saddle shoulders. The rich, marled colors in the wool and hairy, textured surface make them a wonderful companion for autumnal weather.
Another great thing about Shetland sweaters is that they tend to be relatively affordable, as far as high-end knitwear goes. Fibers like cashmere and merino are pretty bad at entry level prices, but a top-of-the-line shetland sweater will probably be under $250 (no small sum, but a lot less than other fibers command). Anyways, on to the list:
Where to Buy Shetland and Lambswool Sweaters
Uniqlo: While certainly not an authentic Shetland sweater, Uniqlo offers a similar style in a handful of classic and bold colors. Like with many of their products, I’ve found their sweaters to be a good value for the price. They’re nowhere near as nice as the products lower on this list, but for $30 they’re about as good as you can get.
Brooks Brothers: Their crewneck lambswool sweaters aren’t technically Shetlands in material or origin, but they have a very similar look at a comfortable price.They’re also not quite as thick as others on this list, but that may not be an issue depending on your climate. Keep an eye out for the regular sales, where prices will get even lower.
Pendleton: While these aren’t technically a Shetland like the name suggests, my Oregon friends at Pendleton do offer a lambswool pullover with similar characteristics for under $100. It says these are ‘machine washable,’ although I would approach that with caution.
Jamieson’s of Shetland: As the company’s name would lead you to believe, Jamieson’s sweaters are the real deal. While not as well-known or readily available as others on this list, they’re the authentic article and at $125 are on the more affordable side of the “True Shetland” spectrum. Available in a rainbow of colors and patterns from End, and occasionally at other retailers as well.
Harley: Another Scottish brand that flies under the radar. Prices vary from retailer to retailer, but Harley tends to offer good prices for excellent knitwear. Their Shetlands can often be found for under $150, and at that price they are a great buy. They also offer brushed shetlands, although they can be hard to find.
O’Connell’s: My personal favorite, and the one shown in the image at the top of this article. O’Connell’s is a very trad store in Buffalo NY, and sweaters are one of their specialties. At $175 they’re not cheap (and are never on sale), but they are an excellent value. You can read an in-depth review of their Shetlands here. They come in dozens of very wearable colors, which you can see more of here.
Howlin’ By Morrison: This Belgian brand makes knitwear in Scotland that tends to have a more youthful aesthetic. Their Shetlands remain rooted in tradition, although the fit is a bit trimmer and the patterns are a bit more adventurous. Prices tend to be a touch higher than the more traditional options, hovering around the low $200 range. Available at a few hip e-commerce sites like Mr. Porter and East Dane, both of which have seasonal sales.
J. Press: At $245, the famous “shaggy dog” is near the top of the list when it comes to cost. But these are a classic piece that have become almost synonymous with Ivy Style. The “shaggy” nickname comes from the brushed finish on the sweater, which gives it a more combed, fluffy appearance. J. Press Shetlands aren’t the only one with this finish, but they sure did popularize it. Available in many colors and two fits.
Drake’s: At the priciest end of the list is everyone’s favorite brand, Drake’s. While their knitwear collection is not as vast as others on this list, they do offer a few Scottish-made lambswool pieces. Their cable-knit pieces are heavily brushed (moreso than the the J. Press ones), and their plain weaves have a more traditional finish. At $255 they’re not that competitive on price, but we all love them anyway.
And with that, I’ll wrap things up. My chicken stock is about ready, which is almost enough to make me forget that there was a high temp of 78 degrees today. Here’s hoping that sweater weather is coming soon. Let me know if there are any other great Shetlands that I missed in the comments below.
