Someone over at InsideHook (formerly Real Clear Media, for which I wrote a few pieces) is an Ivy stylist. The site just put up an ode to J. Press’ classic Shaggy Dog sweater, which comes in an extra-high number of flavors this year.
Writes Jason Diamond:
The Shaggy Dog, for those that don’t know, is sort of a staple for people who want to dress like they went to Princeton or Yale in 1962. Called “everyone’s favorite Ivy sweater,” by Ivy Style a few years back, I wracked my brain to try and recall the first time I saw somebody wearing it, and yes, the adult in question had in fact gone to school in the Northeast in the LBJ days. Years later, I’d spot a picture of Mick Jagger rocking a Scottish cousin of the Shaggy — a baggy Shetland that wasn’t quite as fuzzy as the J. Press staple, but great nonetheless, especially on British rock-and-roll’s best frontman at his peak. It wasn’t quite preppy, but it also sort of was. It was the kind of look that could pass in a club but would also work on a prep-school campus or a night on the town. There are a few items of clothing that can have it both ways; a shaggy sweater is at the top of the list. And the Shaggy Dog, in my humble opinion, is the finest of them all.
It’s a thoughtful read, which you can check out here. Enjoy shaggy season while it lasts, avoiding spring-clothing premature unpackulation (a reference to a post from years back which, coincidentally, features a shaggy). — CC
I received a light grey shaggy dog for Christmas this year. Made me very happy. I can imagine like buying Viyella shirts its easy to collect quite a few over the years.
Shetland wool is nice, but what is the appeal of making it look all fuzzy? I keep reading that one of the benefits of natural fibers is that they don’t pill. These look like they were pilled on purpose. Just looking at the picture makes me want to scratch my chest. Open-minded to listen to explanations/reasons for its appeal, though…..
In I believe F/W 2015 Polo did a line of 88% wool 12% cashmere, Scottish-made brushed shetlands that were wonderful. I bought one in grey and wore it constantly until it was felled by moths in 2017. Since then I’ve scoured eBay looking for its replacement (Polo never brought the style back). Didn’t find the grey, but did pick up purple, a pink, and a robin’s egg blue were very little expenditure.
I’m positive these were made by Bosie, who offer a 88% wool/12% cashmere shetland that’s marketed on their site as a “luxury shetland.” I bought two of these during their Boxing Day sale this year, but ultimately returned each as the cut was boxier and hem longer than the versions sold by Polo.
The Shaggy has never seemed to fit the same since they went to Letter sizing as opposed to number (44-46-48). This was 15 years or so ago. I prefer a little baggy and these are not. XL now but no longer XXL.
Yes, Shetland jumpers, the cheaper alternative to the Donegal in my opinion. Mine have always been sourced directly from the traditional suppliers in Scotland, except, that is, for my new mock-neck version in orange. That one comes from YMC in London, made in Scotland though. The RL Polo jobs looked very nice and were in great colors but I was put off by the elbow patches, having said that, Shetlands do have a tendency to get holey quicker that other sweaters, especially the elbows. You also need chilly weather to warrant wearing them and Greta Thunberg assures me they will be redundant pdq…
@Old School Tie—I’m not a fan of the elbow patches either. Should have mentioned the sweaters from the season I’m referring to were patch-less. Since then they’ve brought back a shetland in one or two colors that was made in China with elbow patches.
Here’s a shetland from the class I was referring to, still floating around eBay:
I received a light grey shaggy dog for Christmas this year. Made me very happy. I can imagine like buying Viyella shirts its easy to collect quite a few over the years.
I realize J. Press is an advertiser, but check out https://www.bosie.co/harley-of-scotland-shetland-shop for a lower cost alternative.
I buy mine triple brushed.
Shetland wool is nice, but what is the appeal of making it look all fuzzy? I keep reading that one of the benefits of natural fibers is that they don’t pill. These look like they were pilled on purpose. Just looking at the picture makes me want to scratch my chest. Open-minded to listen to explanations/reasons for its appeal, though…..
Harley’s quadruple-brushed shaggy is a thing to behold.
In I believe F/W 2015 Polo did a line of 88% wool 12% cashmere, Scottish-made brushed shetlands that were wonderful. I bought one in grey and wore it constantly until it was felled by moths in 2017. Since then I’ve scoured eBay looking for its replacement (Polo never brought the style back). Didn’t find the grey, but did pick up purple, a pink, and a robin’s egg blue were very little expenditure.
I’m positive these were made by Bosie, who offer a 88% wool/12% cashmere shetland that’s marketed on their site as a “luxury shetland.” I bought two of these during their Boxing Day sale this year, but ultimately returned each as the cut was boxier and hem longer than the versions sold by Polo.
The Shaggy has never seemed to fit the same since they went to Letter sizing as opposed to number (44-46-48). This was 15 years or so ago. I prefer a little baggy and these are not. XL now but no longer XXL.
Also a friend just told me he was charged $10 for alterations for cords. When did that start?
Yes, Shetland jumpers, the cheaper alternative to the Donegal in my opinion. Mine have always been sourced directly from the traditional suppliers in Scotland, except, that is, for my new mock-neck version in orange. That one comes from YMC in London, made in Scotland though. The RL Polo jobs looked very nice and were in great colors but I was put off by the elbow patches, having said that, Shetlands do have a tendency to get holey quicker that other sweaters, especially the elbows. You also need chilly weather to warrant wearing them and Greta Thunberg assures me they will be redundant pdq…
@Old School Tie—I’m not a fan of the elbow patches either. Should have mentioned the sweaters from the season I’m referring to were patch-less. Since then they’ve brought back a shetland in one or two colors that was made in China with elbow patches.
Here’s a shetland from the class I was referring to, still floating around eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stunning-Polo-Ralph-Lauren-Made-in-Scotland-Wool-Cashmere-Jumper-Size-M-Shetland/164080836728?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Da34e1e291ed7433fa6322bfac258bc47%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D264612206806%26itm%3D164080836728%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Af7b47364-4f69-11ea-a660-74dbd180319d%7Cparentrq%3A456ca6981700aa66e404db97fff6c85e%7Ciid%3A1
Oh yes, Eric, that is indeed different. A proper one. Nice.