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Muffy Aldrich's SALT WATER NEW ENGLAND

Thursday, October 3, 2024

A reader question: Alternatives to J. Press Shaggy Dog sweaters?

A reader question:

 Hey Muffy,

Any thoughts on J Press Shaggy Dog sweaters? I usually buy one every year, but they’re now $265 a pop. Are there better options?

24 comments:

  1. O’Connell’s or Bosie brushed Shetland sweaters. Much better quality.

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  2. I like O'Connell's Shetland sweaters.

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  3. If you like the Press version, you might look to Shetland Woolen Company, which according to internet rumor makes/made the Shaggy Dog. They go for 120 GBP, which is a little shy of 160 USD at current exchange rates. I have one from Shetland Woolen Co, and it is indeed good quality.

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    1. I've never seen, let alone tried, the Shetland Woollen Company jumpers so thanks for the recommendation. £120 is a fair price in these inflationary times, about the same as Jamieson's, so definitely worth a try!

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  4. Yes. Harley of Scotland, sold through Bosie, come in around $175, shipped, for the lighter-weight two-ply sweaters if you pay to have them brushed. Harley's four-ply Shetlands, a heavier weave, cost about eight pounds sterling more. Bosie sells the four-ply Shetlands as 'North Sea Chunky,' which sounds more like a can of soup than a sweater, but they're more substantial and provide more warmth in cold weather.

    Definitely pay to have Harley Shetlands brushed if you like the shaggy dog. The options are shaggy, triple brushed, quad brushed, and great bear brushed. I prefer triple. Also - Harley sweaters run small; you would very likely want to order at least one size larger than you normally wear.

    I've never worn the J. Press Shetlands, but the Harley sweaters are outstanding quality. Well worth it.

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    1. That’s an interesting comment on Harley’s sizing. My guess is that Cording’s switched to Harley after their previous Shetland manufacturer (Hawick Knitwear) closed down. The quality is inferior (especially the v-necks) and the sizes are smaller. Cording’s prices are around £40-£50 higher than Bosie and other Harley retailers. I’ll consider the North Sea chunky 4 plys as an alternative this winter.

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  5. O'Connell's. Whenever anyone asks the question "where can I get X," the first stop should be O'Connell's.

    Their sweaters are in terrific colors, reasonably priced, with the first rate and personal service characteristic of a small business. They feature the traditional Ivy/preppy saddle shoulder, which for some strange reason the Press and Bosie own make sweaters do not. (Harley sweaters have the saddle shoulder but they do not have enough structure for my taste.)

    As it relates to the shaggy aspect of Shaggy Dogs, I would rather my sweaters aged themselves. And the brushing makes the sweater way too hot.

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    1. I have never quite understood the shaggy dog look

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  6. We shall continue to patch our Shaggy Dogs! Thanks much! Cheers!

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  7. Jamieson of Shetland sweaters are really nice and can be bought for about $120 on END clothing. I would not be surprised if Jamison makes sweaters for O'Connell's. They certainly make some pieces for Drakes.

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    1. Yes, they make O'Connell's crewnecks.

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    2. I bought several Jamieson Shetlands from End and would say that they are not of the same quality of O'Connells. Jamiesons are okay for the price, but are thinner, less durable. O'Connells offers greater options in colors, and are more durable; worth the difference in price. Andover Shop often has 'end of season' sales and have included their Shetlands.

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    3. Your comment on End’s Jamiesons is surprising but It's possible that their Shetlands have a thinner specification than mine. William Crabtree in London and Dick’s of Edinburgh usually have a few Jamieson Shetlands including Fair Isles.

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    4. Laurence Odie makes the shetland sweaters for O'Connell's. Jamieson's are great value in my opinion. There's is no difference in thickness between O'Connell's and Jamieson's, they are both 2 ply.

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    5. I have Jamieson's from END, William Crabtree, Dick's of Edinburgh and also ordered directly from Jamieson and all seem exactly the same quality. I have a couple of Laurence Odie via Shetland Woolen Mills label, Harley, O'Connells, J.Press. In my opinion, they are all within the same ball park of very good quality. I believe it all comes down to personal preference, fit and what you feel is a fair price for your sweater. Personally, I am pleased that sweater weather is upon us.

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  8. I was going to mention The Andover Shop for a nice shetland sweater but their prices have increased substantially as well to $235. Some nice colors available, however.

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  9. Not necessarily as stunnng as sme of Muffy's recent examples shown here, but -- I'll be so bold as to suggest it. -- LL Bean and (yes) Land's End occasionally feature some reasonably good wool crew neck sweaters that might do the trick. The quality might not be what it once was, but they are a bit friendlier to the wallet. Woolovers too might be a possible option: https://www.woolovers.us/mens/sweaters

    Kind Regards,

    H-U

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  10. Woolovers is a great source for reasonably-priced knitwear. They do not offer a traditional Shetland sweater, however. I third or fourth O'Connell's. Their Shetlands start at $195, come in a huge range of colors, and are of the highest quality.

    https://oconnellsclothing.com/sweaters/shetland-sweaters-plain-knit.html

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  11. For a good time I have bought most of my clothing from O'Connell's. While the quality of their Shetlands and their selection of colors are terrific, I had fit issues. I am not an unusual size, 5'10" and 165 lbs., an O'Connell's Shetland, bought in a 42 (I wear a 41R jacket and 15/33 shirts) came down over most of my hips and posterior and was also rather baggy. Bosie's Shetlands fit me perfectly. Of course, my O'Connell's Shetland may have been an aberration.

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    1. Despite my blandishments above, I will say I have noticed a fit difference in O'Connell's sweaters over the past couple of years. Not sure why. The good news is that they offer numeric vs. alpha sizing so it is (usually) possible to get it right.

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  12. For the more budget conscious amongst us, check out Genuine Scottish Knits. I've ordered a few Shetlands from there and have been very pleased with the quality-to-price ratio. They also come in the saddle-shoulder style which is always preferable.

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    1. I can likewise vouch for the quality of sweaters from Genuine Scottish Knits. I own two, both of which I purchased last winter and wore at least a couple of times a week. Neither show much indication that they’re anything but brand-new, and I’m looking forward to being able to put them on again this year. And I fully agree — the saddle-shoulder style is the way to go.
      A note on their sizing: They fit ever so slightly slim, but not so much that you could describe them as such. They are also perfect for layering under less-roomy outerwear, such as certain models of Barbour and Belstaff jackets, the sleeves of which don’t give you much room for chunky knits.

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