The unofficial Drake's London Appreciation Thread

[dieworkwear]

I still lust after a KS traveler coat. Staying on the coat subject, I'm planning on getting a nice, chunky cardigan for work from home to layer over a shirt or less textured sweater e.g. a rollneck. But I also imagine potentially layering a cardigan under outerwear. Is this how it should look tho? The raised shawl collard cardigan against the coat just seems...vulva-like?

I think that's just lookbook styling.

Someone on here once posted a photo of himself wearing a chunky shawl collar cardigan to a museum. I thought he looked great (wish I remembered the person's name so I could pull the photo). He wore the cardigan in lieu of outerwear. But I normally think of a chunky shawl collar cardigan as an at-home garment, and certainly not something you'd layer under outerwear. Not sure I would even wear it outside the house.

I do think they work well for holiday entertaining (assuming that ever comes back). IMO, when you have a holiday party, or attend one, and think a sport coat might look too formal, a chunky cardigan works well in lieu of a tailored jacket.

 

[Alocin]

It’s not one made by Drake’s, but by Scott and Charters, but I happily wear my chunky shawl collar cardigan out and about and sometimes in the office in the later days of the week when I was going.

Though I too would never think to layer it under a coat.

 

[abantigen]

Not sure I would even wear it outside the house.

Not even to get groceries?

 

[dieworkwear]

Not even to get groceries?

View attachment 1478078

If you're that handsome, then yes.

 

[gardenvariety]

It’s not one made by Drake’s, but by Scott and Charters, but I happily wear my chunky shawl collar cardigan out and about and sometimes in the office in the later days of the week when I was going.

Though I too would never think to layer it under a coat.

Wearing it under a coat depends on practicality -- how cold your climate is.

I live somewhere with real seasons and I like to layer my heavyweight shawl collar cardi under a coat, since it's super warm and sooooo cozy in deep winter -- especially when the collar's flipped up.

Personally I think it looks fine worn under a coat. It's not the BEST look but not bad by any means.

 

[Alocin]

Wearing it under a coat depends on practicality -- how cold your climate is.

I live somewhere with real seasons and I like to layer my heavyweight shawl collar cardi under a coat, since it's super warm and sooooo cozy in deep winter -- especially when the collar's flipped up.

Personally I think it looks fine worn under a coat. It's not the BEST look but not bad by any means.

Personally I imagine if I lived somewhere with real true winters I’d still reach for a different combination but I don’t hate the look completely, it’s just not my thing.

But I’m also skewed because where I am the winters are pretty damn mild and I run hot so it’s definitely not required.

 

[willyto]

If it's not too windy one of those shawl collar cardigans is perfect for a colder day. I see it as a piece of outerwear rather than a layer. Layering that shaw collar looks weird because the only way is to pop up the collar.

 

[rasmusp]

I think that's just lookbook styling.

Someone on here once posted a photo of himself wearing a chunky shawl collar cardigan to a museum. I thought he looked great (wish I remembered the person's name so I could pull the photo). He wore the cardigan in lieu of outerwear. But I normally think of a chunky shawl collar cardigan as an at-home garment, and certainly not something you'd layer under outerwear. Not sure I would even wear it outside the house.

I do think they work well for holiday entertaining (assuming that ever comes back). IMO, when you have a holiday party, or attend one, and think a sport coat might look too formal, a chunky cardigan works well in lieu of a tailored jacket.

Interesting. I probably wear a shawl to the office once a week in the autumn and winter (including today). I think they look fully appropriate if they aren't too loose.

I think Brian Cox wears a shawl to the office as well in Succession, but I guess he can do whatever he wants

At the moment I wear a vest on top of my shawl cardigan outside, which, if nothing else, is very practical!

 

[DavidLane]

I enjoy wearing shawl cardigans almost as much as a sport coat these days. I tend to agree with Derek as I find the (Scott & Charters/Drake's) at least the wool heavy rib ones add a ton of visual weight to my frame, so I have added a few RRL pieces. They tend to be a tighter knit and slim(ish) fit and while they are not CM they provide a nice option for a casual look with some texture and heft for the weekend.

I do wear the sh*t out of my wool ones at home though.

-DL

 

[mbb355]

I enjoy wearing shawl cardigans almost as much as a sport coat these days. I tend to agree with Derek as I find the (Scott & Charters/Drake's) at least the wool heavy rib ones add a ton of visual weight to my frame, so I have added a few RRL pieces. They tend to be a tighter knit and slim(ish) fit and while they are not CM they provide a nice option for a casual look with some texture and heft for the weekend.

I do wear the sh*t out of my wool ones at home though.

-DL

I actually find the Drakes shawl cardigans pretty slim-fitting. Sort of like a contemporary take on the classic Scottish shawl cardigans, which are much boxier and roomier.

 

[DavidLane]

I actually find the Drakes shawl cardigans pretty slim-fitting. Sort of like a contemporary take on the classic Scottish shawl cardigans, which are much boxier and roomier.

Agreed. For me its the wool itself, more so than the cut, which is just lofty and thick and wears like a puffy jacket. Great if you have a small frame which I do not.

-DL

 

[rasmusp]

Last year the brown and the green ones fitted slimmer (the "seasonal" colors). They had a golden/yellowish care tag inside. The navy one had a white label inside and fitted more loose. I gifted that one to my father-in-law as it was too big.

Please share kinks to nice alternatives to the Drake's ones.

I have a inis meain shawl, but I prefer the Drake's ones; they are a bit longer.

 

[mbb355]

Last year the brown and the green ones fitted slimmer (the "seasonal" colors). They had a golden/yellowish care tag inside. The navy one had a white label inside and fitted more loose. I gifted that one to my father-in-law as it was too big.

Please share kinks to nice alternatives to the Drake's ones.

I have a inis meain shawl, but I prefer the Drake's ones; they are a bit longer.

I am a big fan of Colhays shawl cardigans. They are pretty close to Drakes, but a bit cheaper. I also find them heftier and longer, and they have horn buttons instead of leather.

Superfine Lambswool

Crafted in Hawick, Scotland, using the world’s softest lambswool yarns from world renowned spinners Todd & Duncan's prestigious Lamaine collection. Each garment is washed in the water of Scottish lakes to give it its famed soft handle whilst preserving its durability. Made to last, and for...

colhays.com

.

For something much more affordable, Spier & Mackay just released some shawl cardigans in merino wool. Can't vouch for them but they look fine and come in lots of different colors.

Spier & Mackay

Spier & Mackay

www.spierandmackay.com

 

[upflup]

I'll also throw this into the ring for anyone searching:

Shawl Collar Cardigan - Campbell's of Beauly

Men's 4 ply lambswool cardigan stitch shawl collar cardi. Made in Scotland. An essential winter warmer for the contemporary man's wardrobe.

www.campbellsofbeauly.com

Limited colors, but I recently purchased the grey version and I really like it for the price. The wool is nice and spongey and the fit is very "regular".

 

[mbb355]

I'll also throw this into the ring for anyone searching:

Shawl Collar Cardigan - Campbell's of Beauly

Men's 4 ply lambswool cardigan stitch shawl collar cardi. Made in Scotland. An essential winter warmer for the contemporary man's wardrobe.

www.campbellsofbeauly.com

Limited colors, but I recently purchased the grey version and I really like it for the price. The wool is nice and spongey and the fit is very "regular".

Looks nice. Stock looks very limited. I also prefer Drakes charcoal to this lighter grey.