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White RAF Roll Neck Sweaters

bretron

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,519
Location
NW
Gonna bump this sonofagun

Looking for a submariner style sweater. The North Sea Clothing offering first caught my attention (followed by their “Diver” version). Then, after a bit of research, it seemed to me that they’re made by Outdoor Knitwear (maybe debunked elsewhere?), which got me looking at those full bore, and now I’m all but ready to pull the trigger on one :)

I’m writing for sizing and quality advice on the two.

Sizing: I’m 5’10”, true 41” chest, true 35” waist. Would seem to me that I’d order a 42 in North Sea Clothing, and a large in Outdoor Knitwear. That sound about right?

Quality: anyone handled both company's garments and able to comment on the differences, if any (besides the label)? Or any other, higher quality ones out there for me to consider?

Cheers
 

STEVIEBOY1

One Too Many
Messages
1,042
Location
London UK
Gonna bump this sonofagun

Looking for a submariner style sweater. The North Sea Clothing offering first caught my attention (followed by their “Diver” version). Then, after a bit of research, it seemed to me that they’re made by Outdoor Knitwear (maybe debunked elsewhere?), which got me looking at those full bore, and now I’m all but ready to pull the trigger on one :)

I’m writing for sizing and quality advice on the two.

Sizing: I’m 5’10”, true 41” chest, true 35” waist. Would seem to me that I’d order a 42 in North Sea Clothing, and a large in Outdoor Knitwear. That sound about right?

Quality: anyone handled both company's garments and able to comment on the differences, if any (besides the label)? Or any other, higher quality ones out there for me to consider?

Cheers


Congratulations on considering buying on of those fantastic sweaters. I have not bought anything from North Sea Clothing so can not vouch for their quality. I have bought a number of sweaters from Outdoor Knitwear, the army/navy heavy ribbed 100% wool types in V, round and roll/Turtle neck and they have always been very good. I do have 3 submariner/air force white (& Navy) Roll necks, but not from Outdoor knit wear. 1 of mine came from a surplus store in Newcastle upon Tyne in North East England and is made by J Pick which was a specialist in that type of clothing and is still excellent, another came from Silvermans in the East End of London and is good quality too, perhaps not quite as heavy as others, the third came from a firm called Grand Prix Legends who are in fact a motor bike firm near Guildford, in Surrey England and is also very good and a little heavier. Another firm which sells them is called ACE Cafe, another biker place in North London. Whatever you do, make sure you buy you sweater in 100% wool, rather than cotton or made made fibre. Compare prices too. If you tell them when ordering your sweater your mesurements as you have here, there will advise you the best size to go for. It depends how tight or loose you like to wear these. If there is a problem with the sweater after you have bought it. Exchanges are not normally a problem. I hope this information helps and let us know how you get on. I really enjoy wearing mine in the colder weather which is starting now. It saves on the heating bills too.
 

BlueTrain

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,073
I actually visited Silverman's when we were in the U.K. several years ago. Small shop but worth a visit. I took a taxi and the driver actually asked me why I, obviously an American, wanted to go up to that part of town. From the shop, I actually walked all the way back to the subway station near the Tower of London.
 

O'DubhGhaill

Familiar Face
Messages
75
Location
Central New York State
North Sea is outstanding. The Diver fits a bit trimmer than the Submariner. I prefer a trimmer fit, so I'd order the 40 in Submariner, 42 in Diver with your measurements, but that's me. I'm 5'9", 153lbs., 40" chest, 32" waist and their 40 is roomy enough for me indeed.
 

bretron

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,519
Location
NW
North Sea is outstanding. The Diver fits a bit trimmer than the Submariner. I prefer a trimmer fit, so I'd order the 40 in Submariner, 42 in Diver with your measurements, but that's me. I'm 5'9", 153lbs., 40" chest, 32" waist and their 40 is roomy enough for me indeed.


Thx man!
 

Paulgo253

Familiar Face
Messages
53
Location
Co.Durham
It's very timely that I came across this post as, after a long time considering it, I've finally decided to get a submariner roll neck for this winter as I have always though they look great under an Irvin. So I'm reading through this thread with interest (and what I've read so far is massively informative) as I try to decide what I actually want (an 'authentic' RN submariner, an RAF frock or something inbetween?) and which manufacturer to go for? More choice than I expected! Much as I love the quailty of North Sea Clothing the price is just too much, as is the lovely offering by Sheckleton clothing. Looked at Eastmans subwhich looks really nice and was quite taken with Aero's RAF Classic or their Shetland Submariner - couldn't decice between the two.

But I tihink after considering all the pros and cons, including best bang for my buck so to speak, I seem to be gravitating towards Outdoor Knitwear (after still being very tempted too by Silvermans who seem to be very well regarded too). The Outdoor Knitwear jumper looks great, with true authentic quaility, styled on the RN submariner design and I like the idea of 3 strand wool so it should be very warm. The all important neck profile looks good too. My only other issue is getting a snug but not too snug or baggy fit. Im 6'1 and a 42 inch chest and I'm aware fitting is a bit tricky depending on the maker.
 

Bushwalker

New in Town
Messages
24
Location
Far East Asia
Wait until Black Friday if you want to buy a jumper from Outdoor Knitwear.

OK usually has a 15% off offer on or near Black Friday.

And how long are your arms? OK’s submariner jumper is long in the body but not very long in the arms. I am 5’8” and 41” in chest and wear a Medium. It fits me snuggly and the sleeves are long enough on me. I can either roll up the cuffs or let it down all the way.

Mind you, I have short arms. All my dress shirt are 33” or 34” long in the sleeves.


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Paulgo253

Familiar Face
Messages
53
Location
Co.Durham
Thanks guys - annoyingly, I ordered a Silvermans sub last week which hasn't actually arrived yet, and it was a bit of a toss-up between that and Outdoor Knitwear to be honest.

I thought I’d struck lucky when I found my local Army & Navy surplus store had submariners in stock – and made, they told me, by Outdoor Knitwear. Turns out it’s just a store that sells various forms of outdoor gear and the jumpers they stock are actually made by Richmond Knitwear. Although the quality looked generally ok, I wasn't happy and I particularly didn’t like the construction of the neck funnelling. The join sweeps down very deep on the chest and I’m just not keen on that look, being picky! I really really like the authentic J Pick & sons subs and they have a much higher neck seam, barely dipping into the chest at all. So I returned it and went for the Silvermans instead (which was the same price!).

Here's a pic of the Richmond Knitwear jumper for reference and you can see what I man about the deep neck welt in the pic below that:

BEn7ZIll.jpg


2vLtb0Wl.jpg
 

Bushwalker

New in Town
Messages
24
Location
Far East Asia
OK’s Black Friday offer is out now.

The body of my OK submariner is much longer than Richmond’s. It comes all the way down to my crotch. I suppose that comes in handy in a cold submariner.

bfe377e1eecf7955e6765adb58c33270.jpg
 
Last edited:

Paulgo253

Familiar Face
Messages
53
Location
Co.Durham
OK so I'm a little confused! My Silvermans sub finally arrived today - but it has a Niffi Nautical label inside! Speaking to a rather confusing gentleman at Silvermans I now realise that they are not the manufacturers of the subs on their site - they just sell them on, buying in bulk from a manufacturer in Leicestershire, Kemptons I think he said. It looks as if mine might've got mixed up at the shipping point! I though Niffi were made by Outdoor Knitwear as they are shown on their site. So after all that debating I'm beginning to wonder if most of the subs all come just from the same place! Is the Niffi sub here any different from the Outdoor Knitwear one as shown on their site?

It does seem to be very well made and the first thing I noticed taking it off the posty was the weight compared to Richmond Knitwear sub that I returned recently - a good indication and the quality does seem to be excellent, soft wool and very warm. Problem is it measures a 40" chest (labelled as a medium) so it's very snug as I'm a 42", so trying to decide if it needs to go back. I've compared pics and it actually does seem to fit better than the Richmond offering that was a 44" chest...!
uYqIgNYl.jpg



a3GRrJGl.jpg

UR3AbZNl.jpg


o6NK1Z2l.jpg
 

Bushwalker

New in Town
Messages
24
Location
Far East Asia
OK so I'm a little confused! My Silvermans sub finally arrived today - but it has a Niffi Nautical label inside! Speaking to a rather confusing gentleman at Silvermans I now realise that they are not the manufacturers of the subs on their site - they just sell them on, buying in bulk from a manufacturer in Leicestershire, Kemptons I think he said. It looks as if mine might've got mixed up at the shipping point! I though Niffi were made by Outdoor Knitwear as they are shown on their site. So after all that debating I'm beginning to wonder if most of the subs all come just from the same place! Is the Niffi sub here any different from the Outdoor Knitwear one as shown on their site?

It does seem to be very well made and the first thing I noticed taking it off the posty was the weight compared to Richmond Knitwear sub that I returned recently - a good indication and the quality does seem to be excellent, soft wool and very warm. Problem is it measures a 40" chest (labelled as a medium) so it's very snug as I'm a 42", so trying to decide if it needs to go back. I've compared pics and it actually does seem to fit better than the Richmond offering that was a 44" chest...!
uYqIgNYl.jpg



a3GRrJGl.jpg

UR3AbZNl.jpg


o6NK1Z2l.jpg

Your OK submariner just looks exactly the same as mine.

Sizing up is a good idea. This jumper looks too small on you.
 

Paulgo253

Familiar Face
Messages
53
Location
Co.Durham
Your OK submariner just looks exactly the same as mine.

Sizing up is a good idea. This jumper looks too small on you.

I've just realised that Kempton holdings is the corporate name for Outdoor Knitwear - so the subs supplied by Silvermans / Niffi Nautical and ON are exactly the same jumper!

Yes I think this is a little too tight for me! I will return and size up!
 

Bushwalker

New in Town
Messages
24
Location
Far East Asia
A Small OK submariner measures 18” in chest. And my Medium submariner is 20” in chest, just like yours.

So I expect the Large to be 22” in chest. So you are between Medium and Large.

I can squeeze myself into a Small, but I don’t like that look. And the wool yarn at my armpits would stretch to its very limit whenever I raise my my arms. It isn’t comfy and isn’t good to the wool either. A Small submariner on me just looks a Medium on you.

I eventually returned the Small Submariner to OK, and OK replaced it with a Medium. OK is excellent when it comes to customer service. I highly recommend OK to my friends.

The British wool is just so much better than any woolly jumper I can buy in Asia.


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