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Shawl collar cardigan recommendations

dieworkwear

Mahatma Jawndi
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The storied Drumohr and Ballantyne were closing down, if not for the Italian investors. The new Drumohr and Ballantyne conflate tradition and innovation, create modern designs by Italian knitters using the best quality yarns sourced in Italy and the UK.

As far as I know, Ballantyne is gone. Caerlee Mills has completely closed, and the brand Ballantyne is now just made by one of the other factories in Scotland. And it's sold for more money than if you just went to that house line from that factory. The guy who took over Ballantyne, while very nice and well intentioned, is mostly doing the job of marketing "bare finished" qualities in Scottish knitwear. Something I think is very important, but it's no longer what the brand was just a few years ago.

The other two you named, Pringle and Drumohr, exist in name only, as far as I'm aware. I don't think they even make in Scotland anymore. I bought some things from them since they were taken over by outside investors, and I found the quality to be disappointing. At least compared to the old stuff.

Video of Caerlee Mills getting dismantled.

 
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Nikola

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La Fin Du Monde

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As far as I know, Ballantyne is gone. Caerlee Mills has completely closed, and the brand Ballantyne is now just made by one of the other factories in Scotland. And it's sold for more money than if you just went to that house line from that factory. The guy who took over Ballantyne, while very nice and well intentioned, is mostly doing the job of marketing "bare finished" qualities in Scottish knitwear. Something I think is very important, but it's no longer what the brand was just a few years ago.

The other two you named, Pringle and Drumohr, exist in name only, as far as I'm aware. I don't think they even make in Scotland anymore. I bought some things from them since they were taken over by outside investors, and I found the quality to be disappointing. At least compared to the old stuff.

Video of Caerlee Mills getting dismantled.



@dieworkwear if you were to recommend a brand/s to go with, what would you recommend? It is so hard to navigate the quality of garments these days...
 

DSauerwald

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I thought of ordering that one, any chance if you could post a photo wearing it?

Also, I am usually a size 38R in suits, should I order it in size Small, or it will still be too generous? I like the slim fit with these cardigans ..

I’ll post a pic later today. I’m a 38R and the small fits perfectly.
 

Nikola

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I’ll post a pic later today. I’m a 38R and the small fits perfectly.

Thanks, looking forward!

Mostly interested to see how the shawl collar itself fits, as it appears to be a bit exaggerated compared to other shawl cardigans ..
 

dieworkwear

Mahatma Jawndi
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@dieworkwear if you were to recommend a brand/s to go with, what would you recommend? It is so hard to navigate the quality of garments these days...

If you're not constrained by budget, I think William Lockie, Scott & Charters, Drake's, The Armoury, Cordings, Ben Silver, The Andover Shop, and The Wardrobe Wimbledon are all quite nice.

They just fit very differently, but you can tell how they'll fit from most online photos. Half of those will fit looser and longer, with a shawl collar that drapes like a heavy roll of dough. The others will fit trimmer and shorter, with a wider collar that sits closer to the body. The first has an elongated silhouette; the second has a relatively rounder silhouette. Most people will probably find the second a bit easier to wear, but they're both nice. The first is good if you want something that fits like outerwear.

They're expensive though. Getting something in lambswool instead of cashmere will make things more affordable, but those are still like $300-400. If you want something more affordable, it kind of depends on your budget and what specifically you're after.
 

Nikola

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If you're not constrained by budget, I think William Lockie, Scott & Charters, Drake's, The Armoury, Cordings, Ben Silver, The Andover Shop, and The Wardrobe Wimbledon are all quite nice.

They just fit very differently, but you can tell how they'll fit from most online photos. Half of those will fit looser and longer, with a shawl collar that drapes like a heavy roll of dough. The others will fit trimmer and shorter, with a wider collar that sits closer to the body. The first has an elongated silhouette; the second has a relatively rounder silhouette. Most people will probably find the second a bit easier to wear, but they're both nice. The first is good if you want something that fits like outerwear.

They're expensive though. Getting something in lambswool instead of cashmere will make things more affordable, but those are still like $300-400. If you want something more affordable, it kind of depends on your budget and what specifically you're after.

Where could someone find the Scott Charters cardigans online, except those leftovers at Nomanwalksalone?

I believe they are closed down at the moment and not producing anything until the Summer ..

Also, do you think the Cordings and Drakes both have the same manufacturer - William Lockie?

I assume they are just putting their stickers instead of manufacturers and sell it for profit ..
 

La Fin Du Monde

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If you're not constrained by budget, I think William Lockie, Scott & Charters, Drake's, The Armoury, Cordings, Ben Silver, The Andover Shop, and The Wardrobe Wimbledon are all quite nice.

They just fit very differently, but you can tell how they'll fit from most online photos. Half of those will fit looser and longer, with a shawl collar that drapes like a heavy roll of dough. The others will fit trimmer and shorter, with a wider collar that sits closer to the body. The first has an elongated silhouette; the second has a relatively rounder silhouette. Most people will probably find the second a bit easier to wear, but they're both nice. The first is good if you want something that fits like outerwear.

They're expensive though. Getting something in lambswool instead of cashmere will make things more affordable, but those are still like $300-400. If you want something more affordable, it kind of depends on your budget and what specifically you're after.

Thank you again. Incredibly helpful insight.
 

DSauerwald

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Here’s a picture. Not the best, I’m afraid, but you get the idea. It’s not slim fit, but the shawl is generous, which I love. Quality of make seems quite respectable to me, though I’m no expert.

4375DAAC-E6B3-43B0-BBB6-75EF699BD3E9.jpeg
 

68Bullitt

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Also, do you think the Cordings and Drakes both have the same manufacturer - William Lockie?

I assume they are just putting their stickers instead of manufacturers and sell it for profit ..

Drakes are made by William Lockie. I have one from each and they are both identical. The only reason to go with Drakes is to get a color that's outside of W.L.'s staple offerings - Navy, Flannel, Dark Natural.
 

Nikola

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Here’s a picture. Not the best, I’m afraid, but you get the idea. It’s not slim fit, but the shawl is generous, which I love. Quality of make seems quite respectable to me, though I’m no expert.

View attachment 904534

Great fit on you, better than I hoped for! Thanks so much for posting.

Too bad the high postage cost to Europe, where I live, teamed with the import duties and taxes would double the price of this sweater making it not so attractive purchase .. Just found that out upon trying to order it..

Drakes are made by William Lockie. I have one from each and they are both identical. The only reason to go with Drakes is to get a color that's outside of W.L.'s staple offerings - Navy, Flannel, Dark Natural.

Thanks for confirming this. It's what I thought - there's no one else that could replicate their work to that extent .. The Drake's markup is quite high ..
 

68Bullitt

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Thanks for confirming this. It's what I thought - there's no one else that could replicate their work to that extent .. The Drake's markup is quite high ..

It certainly is an expensive item and one that had been on my wishlist for a couple of years. However, early 2017 saw the £ take a hit and once the exchange rate was about $1.18 I decided to purchase the green cashmere from Drakes. In addition to deducting VAT, I was pretty happy with my purchase.
 

Girardian

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[No longer relevant]
 
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avsmusic1

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Is it blasphemous to ask for recs on cotton options? I love this look and the utility of these pieces but I have a mild wool allergy and generally find thicker knit wool too warm for wearing indoors. I have one of the northern waters cardigans from epaulet and love it, but rarely wear it b/c it's too warm for my office and I can't wear it more casual (with a t-shirt) outside the office b/c the wool will irritate my skin
 

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