John Smedley Appreciation Thread

[Panama]

You can never have too much John Smedley...

 

[Panama]

JS Polo

 

[Andy57]

Early in lockdown last year, so not quite a year ago, I bought a couple of Smedley polo shirts. I have to say I was very disappointed. The knitted fabric was paper-thin, but the worst aspect of the shirts were the collars. Poorly shaped to stat with, after the first wash both were just a misshapen mess. Add this experience to the disappointing redesign of their sleeveless cardigans a couple of years ago (I'm referring to the "Hawley" model) and I'm not sure I'll remain a customer.

 

[lexmann]

I think I am also obsessed with knitwear. I have over 100 pieces of them and a lot are from JS. Personally wool and silk or cashmere and silk are my favorites.

 

[somatoform]

Early in lockdown last year, so not quite a year ago, I bought a couple of Smedley polo shirts. I have to say I was very disappointed. The knitted fabric was paper-thin, but the worst aspect of the shirts were the collars. Poorly shaped to stat with, after the first wash both were just a misshapen mess. Add this experience to the disappointing redesign of their sleeveless cardigans a couple of years ago (I'm referring to the "Hawley" model) and I'm not sure I'll remain a customer.

You're not alone Andy.

I have bought about 15 JS pieces over the years and the relationship has been ambivalent at best.

I'll be specific. Here is a pic of the JS 10 singular turtle neck, an otherwise fantastic piece. It is thick, the neck is excellent, the pattern is wonderfull. But then we come to the shoulder construction:

You see that fabric bump on either side of the shoulder seam? It's not just the pic. It's even more pronounced in real life. They've attached the sleeve to the shoulder in such a way that creates quite a protrusion of material at the seam. Why? I have no idea. It's not like the vast majority of knitwear specialists can't make a relatively 'seamless' transition along the seam even accounting for the heft of the knit. But not Smedley.

With Smedley there always seems to be something that makes me go "But why?" in a way that other brands don't, whether it be the lack of decent collars (either wimpy sports collar or obnoxiously large and floppy stand) or shoulder seams or something.

But my biggest gripe with Smedley is pattern: small arm widths and high armholes on relatively large chests and volumous bodies. I've never had a Smedley piece where I haven't had to stretch out the upper arms and sleeve width slightly.

I've sold off most of my stuff but retain some really great pieces.

 

[JIMIG]

Early in lockdown last year, so not quite a year ago, I bought a couple of Smedley polo shirts. I have to say I was very disappointed. The knitted fabric was paper-thin, but the worst aspect of the shirts were the collars. Poorly shaped to stat with, after the first wash both were just a misshapen mess. Add this experience to the disappointing redesign of their sleeveless cardigans a couple of years ago (I'm referring to the "Hawley" model) and I'm not sure I'll remain a customer.

Was this the Adrian model? If so, I am surprised by your disappointment, as it received so much praise by Simon: https://www.permanentstyle.com/2020/05/the-knit-polo-shirt-my-summer-staple.html

I was actually planning to order a couple of Adrian polos based on the PS article, but after hearing your experience, I may have to look for other alternatives.

 

[bry2000]

I have a number of JS knits (but no Polos) and love them.

 

[Andy57]

Was this the Adrian model? If so, I am surprised by your disappointment, as it received so much praise by Simon: https://www.permanentstyle.com/2020/05/the-knit-polo-shirt-my-summer-staple.html

I was actually planning to order a couple of Adrian polos based on the PS article, but after hearing your experience, I may have to look for other alternatives.

Yes, I bought an Adrian shirt based on Simon's praise for it, and one other type. Both were profoundly disappointing. I wore them last Summer, working from home, but I would not wear them outside the house.

In addition, I own and like several "Finagon" sleeveless cardigans, again designed by Simon Crompton and I thought it was actually an excellent product. But, sadly, it was discontinued and replaced by the "Hawley" sleeveless cardigan. The collar on the Hawley is different and simply won't lie flat under a jacket. It's difficult to describe, but instead of staying up against my shirt collar, it slips down lower than the shirt collar under a jacket and forms a sort of ridge there. So I got rid of it.

I have a couple of cotton roll neck cotton shirts from Smedley. Similarly to the experience of @somatoform, the material is lovely, but the construction is odd. Frankly, a pima cotton roll neck from Lands' End is better in terms of fit and make, and about one-tenth the price.

I know it sounds like piling on, but John Smedley is a brand that has a very high reputation. But, for me, considering the products I have purchased and worn, that reputation is not reflected in the design, quality, and utility of those products.

 

[Panama]

Let's see some images of these badly constructed Polo's...

 

[breakaway01]

Interesting—I have also not had much love for Smedley knitwear. The yarns that I’ve seen are excellent but too fine for my taste. The sweaters that I’ve tried on bunch and drape poorly. I have a pretty average lean build but maybe they’re just meant for a different body shape.

 

[Panama]

Was this the Adrian model? If so, I am surprised by your disappointment, as it received so much praise by Simon: https://www.permanentstyle.com/2020/05/the-knit-polo-shirt-my-summer-staple.html

I was actually planning to order a couple of Adrian polos based on the PS article, but after hearing your experience, I may have to look for other alternatives.

I thought I had an Adrian, but I have a Roth and two Rhodes. One which is beige according to my order history but not above. They both seem fine, but I will give them another summer of wear after a limited 2020.

 

[Panama]

Interesting—I have also not had much love for Smedley knitwear. The yarns that I’ve seen are excellent but too fine for my taste. The sweaters that I’ve tried on bunch and drape poorly. I have a pretty average lean build but maybe they’re just meant for a different body shape.

Do you own any?

 

[breakaway01]

Do you own any?

I have tried several sweaters and polos on but have never bought one because of how they fit on me. I have a JS T-shirt.

 

[Panama]

The latest arrival...

 

[Panama]

More JS. I finally have an Adrian...