A reader question:
Hi Muffy,
May I ask you and the readers a question regarding a staple of U.K. countrywear, the fleece gilet. Schoffel is the most popular brand and Cordings do sell the Schoffel ones in a variety of colours.
They are extremely popular over here and are very versatile being worn over anything from a shirt or shirt and sweater and as a mid layer under outer coats in cooler weather most often field coats. Especially popular in the shooting field.
I have never seen mention of them on the site or seen pictures of yourself or others wearing one which surprises me as it seems to me that it would fit in well with the SWNE ethos. I would be interested to hear the readers thoughts.
Best wishes
I got one. Frankly disappointing , and made in China to boot.
ReplyDeleteInteresting as all mine are made in Ukraine as are my shooting partners
ReplyDeleteApologies for the missing apostrophe. Of course my shooting partners are not made in Ukraine!
DeleteWhat exactly are you shooting?
ReplyDeleteGame - pheasant and partridge
DeleteI was not aware of Schoffel, but the Google kindly shared in depth information with me. For what it is, a polyester garment offshored to China, it looks quite nice, but I could get one of those from Old Navy for $15 and use the rest to buy a Mercer shirt to wear with it. I can understand why people buy things made in China and other places, because it helps reduce the cost, but this penchant for polyester baffles me. We all know it to be a type of plastic and that it will shed microplastics which we, in turn, will ingest. At the end of its useful life it will end up in a landfill where it will not compost. I also note that Tom Beckbe makes a similar garment that is cotton and wool.
ReplyDeleteThey are extremely nice garments VV and the best selling of it's type in the UK. The fleece is made in Italy by Pontetorto and is fully recyclable. In fact you can return worn out items to Schoffel and they will recycle them. I'm confused as to the suggestion that they (The Oakham fleece) is made in China as it isn't it's fabricated from the Pontetorto fleece in Ukraine. They even offer a version that is made from recycled fleece, The Oakham Retro Fleece gilet. They are a staple in the British countryside and seen in great numbers. Nothing matches them. Let's be honest Cordings wouldn't partner with Schoffel if their product quality was low.
ReplyDeleteI read above that Fazal Majid had one from China. I just do not like the idea of wearing plastic clothing, even if it is lovely, recyclable, made in the country of one's choice, and sold by a retailer with impeccable credentials.
DeleteThat's perfectly understandable and I admire you for sticking to your principles
DeleteMy Schoffel choice would be their Scottish tweed range. Fields sports retailers often discount the brand and there should be some attractive Black Friday deals over the next week or two. Alan Paine and Laksen are alternatives that are also worth considering.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I’m hoping that Cording’s Black Friday deal will include the Ebury Shetland gilet - https://www.cordings.co.uk/green-ebury-shetland-gilet.html. It’s more stylish and better value than a fleece gilet.
I have two beautiful Schoffel tweed field coats Ken and I use them for what they were designed for (game shooting). I have been wearing their fleece gilets for years and have found nothing better.
DeleteI understand totally and have friends who also love their fleece gilets. However synthetic materials generally make me sweat a lot and often irritate my skin. I can tolerate a blend/mix (with wool or cotton) up to 20% at most. Cordings’s Ebury gilet is great value and the fit is perfect so it’s on my shopping list.
DeleteThe Ebury is a nice Gilet Ken
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