Military 'woolly pully' sweaters

[Fading Fast]

More Royal Tank Regiment:

Great pic.

Also, it highlights a question I have - to "billow" or not?

I think almost all sweaters look better when worn with the waistband pull up a bit and some of the sweater's material "billowing" (or casually folding) over the waistband.

In the picture, the only one who has it "right" (just MHO) is the first guy on the left. The way a small amount of his sweater material slightly folds over the band itself give the sweater, and his entire appearance, a better look.

All the other men have their sweaters pulled all the way - or almost all the way - down, which result in an awkward (and, in all but one, too long) look.

I know this is just an opinion, so I'm wondering: what do others think?

 

[Ticklishchap]

Great pic.

Also, it highlights a question I have - to "billow" or not?

I think almost all sweaters look better when worn with the waistband pull up a bit and some of the sweater's material "billowing" (or casually folding) over the waistband.

In the picture, the only one who has it "right" (just MHO) is the first guy on the left. The way a small amount of his sweater material slightly folds over the band itself give the sweater, and his entire appearance, a better look.

All the other men have their sweaters pulled all the way - or almost all the way - down, which result in an awkward (and, in all but on, too long) look.

I know this is just an opinion, so I'm wondering: what do others think?

Great minds think alike. I wear my Woolly Pullies (and all my wool sweaters) just like the guy you highlight. It is the most tasteful and effective way to wear them, especially for a WP or other sweater of military origin.

 

[Harp]

I am extremely envious of your continuing cool spring.

All good and wonderful spring seasons come to a regrettable end. Chicago has had 90*-100* recent temps.
The dog days of summer are not too far away.

 

[Ticklishchap]

All good and wonderful spring seasons come to a regrettable end. Chicago has had 90*-100* recent temps.
The dog days of summer are not too far away.

I love the other three seasons, each in its own way, but loathe and detest summer! I'm already longing for the 'season of mist and mellow fruitfulness'.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Those are a nice selection of photos, the colour of the larger one is not very clear on my laptop, are they dark blue or black.?

 

[Hal]

...highlights a question I have - to "billow" or not?
I think almost all sweaters look better when worn with the waistband pull up a bit and some of the sweater's material "billowing" (or casually folding) over the waistband...The way a small amount of...sweater material slightly folds over the band itself give the sweater, and...entire appearance, a better look.
I know this is just an opinion, so I'm wondering: what do others think?

I agree entirely when the sweater is the outermost garment as in the pictures, but would pull the sweater down if wearing a jacket or coat over it. The "look" question would not then apply.

 

[Ticklishchap]

All good and wonderful spring seasons come to a regrettable end. Chicago has had 90*-100* recent temps.
The dog days of summer are not too far away.

After a hot and humid week, it has been just about cool enough late this evening for me tentatively to don a Navy Woolly Pully: it feels good to have been able to do this again.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Those are a nice selection of photos, the colour of the larger one is not very clear on my laptop, are they dark blue or black.?

They are black, but I can see that it’s a bit hard to tell on the larger photo.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I agree entirely when the sweater is the outermost garment as in the pictures, but would pull the sweater down if wearing a jacket or coat over it. The "look" question would not then apply.

I only partially agree with you, Sir. Pulling the sweater down can work very well both in terms of looks and utility when wearing it under a full-length overcoat. This is especially true when it happens to be very cold (nice thought during this early summer hot spell) because the Woolly Pully is a long garment that can prevent you from 'freezing your balls' (a phrase beloved by my Rugby coach at school) or your posterior for that matter. However, with a Barbour jacket, for example, or under a tweed jacket or blazer, the Woolly Pully should be allowed to 'billow' and (except in the circumstance I've described) this works well with a long coat too. It's worth remembering that because of the length of the garment, the fold is pretty much natural on most men except the tallest. Also, military men frequently wear Woolly Pullies with belts around the waistband just below the fold: when I was in the Corps, that was how I wore my Army WP when on parade, although the belt could come off afterwards. We had Corps on Wednesday afternoons but many of us wore WPs informally for the rest of the evening - at supper, in the House, etc. I was already a fully fledged WP aficionado by then and so I had my own Army WP as well as the one belonging to the Corps - and Navy and RAF ones as well!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

They are black, but I can see that it’s a bit hard to tell on the larger photo.

Thank you, I thought that was the case, that they were black. Like you I have been able to wear a wp in the ealy mornings or late evenings. The new OKW Sweater that you have just ordered sounds interesting/unusal, you will have to put a picture up when it arrives.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Thank you, I thought that was the case, that they were black. Like you I have been able to wear a wp in the ealy mornings or late evenings. The new OKW Sweater that you have just ordered sounds interesting/unusal, you will have to put a picture up when it arrives.

I shall put up a picture - I’m looking forward to it even though it won’t get much wear until autumn (Fall).

 

[Hal]

Pulling the sweater down can work very well both in terms of looks and utility when wearing it under a full-length overcoat. This is especially true when it happens to be very cold (nice thought during this early summer hot spell) because the Woolly Pully is a long garment that can prevent you from 'freezing your balls' (a phrase beloved by my Rugby coach at school) or your posterior for that matter. However, with a Barbour jacket, for example, or under a tweed jacket or blazer, the Woolly Pully should be allowed to 'billow' and (except in the circumstance I've described) this works well with a long coat too.

I take your points; you write as a far more experienced woolly-pully wearer than I.

...military men frequently wear Woolly Pullies with belts around the waistband just below the fold: when I was in the Corps, that was how I wore my Army WP when on parade...

I have often seen this, but would have expected the belt to be worn on the fold, not below it. One learns!

 

[Ticklishchap]

I take your points; you write as a far more experienced woolly-pully wearer than I.

I have often seen this, but would have expected the belt to be worn on the fold, not below it. One learns!

I think I didn't explain it clearly enough and so I've found an example (see above). You will see that the belt is worn around the waistband and there is a 'billowing' (really nice word - thanks Mr Fading Fast) effect just above and indeed just below the belt. Just above the belt the sweater begins to fold over which is why I described it as being below the fold, but strictly it is in the 'middle of the fold'. Anyway, the way the gentleman is wearing the belt is the way I wore mine on parades during my Corps days. It would have to be straight, too, as it would be subject to inspection.

 

[Harp]

Troops above are turned out well, but the CO is the sole sweater seen in formation, casting aside uniformity.
I like the individuality though. Guy probably wants to run SAS selection.

 

[Goel]

Are there any woolly pully/military sweaters in Alpaca, or anyone that can make them? I know Nau did one a few years back, haven't seen any since.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Are there any woolly pully/military sweaters in Alpaca, or anyone that can make them? I know Nau did one a few years back, haven't seen any since.

I haven't heard of this: have you a link to an image or website?

 

[Goel]

Unfortunately it was something run a few years ago so there isn't much. All I could find was this https://earthhero.com/products/clothing-footwear/nau-mens-nazca-ribbed-alpaca-wool-sweater/

I'm trying to find someone who can do an alpaca commando sweater because it's softer than and more importantly, static resistant unlike regular wool.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Unfortunately it was something run a few years ago so there isn't much. All I could find was this https://earthhero.com/products/clothing-footwear/nau-mens-nazca-ribbed-alpaca-wool-sweater/

I'm trying to find someone who can do an alpaca commando sweater because it's softer than and more importantly, static resistant unlike regular wool.

It looks interesting. I'll look and see if there are any Alpaca sweater specialists who might do it - but it might take me a few days to get back to you. May I ask what country you are based in?

 

[Goel]

That would be great, thanks a lot. What I'm looking for would be even simpler than the design I posted, more like a basic crewneck woolly pully or perhaps an A-1 engineer sweater. I'm located in the US.

On another note has anyone heard of Khunu? They have a yak wool submariner. Not cheap but looks like it will last a lifetime.

 

[Ticklishchap]

That would be great, thanks a lot. What I'm looking for would be even simpler than the design I posted, more like a basic crewneck woolly pully or perhaps an A-1 engineer sweater. I'm located in the US.

On another note has anyone heard of Khunu? They have a yak wool submariner. Not cheap but looks like it will last a lifetime.

I've sent you [by PM] a link to a UK-based Alpaca specialist. Khunu's yak wool submariner looks interesting. I used to have a Tibetan yak wool sweater many years ago.