RC Approved: FW23 Sweaters
Lost & Found Shaggy Sweater
I bought Lost & Found’s in-house Shaggy sweater as filler piece while building out my knitwear wardrobe. After a year I’ve been remarkably pleased with how well the sweater has performed and how much wear it has gotten. It is the sweater I throw on every time I need to quickly need to step out of the house or need to pack for a last min trip. British wool is usually thicker than other varieties making it incredibly durable and warm; however, leaving it scratchy. L&F’s manufacturer remedies this issue with a light brush from dried flower heads of the teasel plant that give the sweater a light fuzz. While still not perfectly soft, it’s a great compromise for an indestructible sweater. The sweater sports the usual Scottish knit details like a saddle shoulder and seamless construction. Unlike many “daily drivers”, I feel excited wearing the Shaggy sweater. - John
Margaret Howell Saddle Crew in Soft Camel Hair
The Saddle sweater is a perennial style in every Howell collection. It comes in a wool/cashmere or cotton/cashmere blend for fall and spring respectively. Named after its saddle shoulder construction, the sleeve is one continuous piece of fabric from the cuff to the collar. Expert Scottish artisans construct the sweater to remove seam bulk and allow the it to retain its shape better over time.
In recent years the Saddle has seen many odd changes. The fit was revised to feature a low mock neck and an awkward boxy fit. A once luxurious high cashmere blend was replaced with more wool/cotton.
Every few seasons Howell does the Saddle Sweater in a special composition like 100% cashmere or flecked donegal. This year we got baby camel hair that restores the Saddle to its former glory. More pill resistant and warmer than most wools, baby camel is considered the finest quality of camel hair. The yarn is soft and has a delightful bounce to it. A low gauge knit compliments the sweater’s slouchy fit. - John
Lost & Found Wool Cashmere Sweater
Lost and Found does knits better than your average house brand. The Wool Cashmere Sweater is made in Scotland from a soft and luxurious ultrafine merino and cashmere blend. The fit is slim and suits the fabric. The hem ribbing is tight, so if you’re uncomfortable with the body fabric draping over the hem this sweater might not be for you. I happen to like it a lot. This is probably the most versatile sweater in my wardrobe. It’s the first piece I’ve bought from Lost and Found and has me inspired to buy more. - Louis
Reigning Champ Boiled Wool Bobby Crewneck
Reigning Champ is expanding from sportswear and basics into casual wear under the design leadership of Tung Vo. They started with Oxford shirts and chinos and just released several styles of wool tops and pants. The Bobby Crewneck is made of a soft and chunky boiled wool that offers Shetland levels of warmth in a much more comfortable form. It features Reigning Champ’s signature half raglan sleeve and side ribbing for extra comfort. It’s made in RC’s new “classic fit,” which is cozy and roomy enough but will still fit under a shell or loose insulator. Reigning Champ’s finish isn’t quite what it used to be but their new silhouettes and fabrics are exciting, which is not something I’ve felt about the brand in the last few years. - Louis
The Row Benji Sweater
Benji has appeared in every The Row collection since the inaugural mens season and remains minimally changed. Completely anonymous to pedestrians but unmistakable for fans of the brand, it features a signature tonal woven back stripe that’s the closest The Row comes to branding. Exclusively made from a 100% 2-ply cashmere rib, Benji sports a gentle fuzzy finish. Tight ribbing at the collar, cuffs and waist hold their shape after repeated wear. Thin but warm and durable, the sweater has survived many a cross-country flight and has become an indispensable travel essential for me. I sized up for a more traditional fit. Often referred to as the brand for “product people”, the subtle luxury and perfected details of The Row Benji gives me the same excitement as wearing Veilance in its infancy. - John
The Row Gary Sweater
This winter I set out to find a sweater with some personality while respecting a minimalist aesthetic. I wanted a fit I haven’t tried before and some fun texture. While in LA, I came across The Row Gary. The Gary masters the details with restraint. The fit is slouchy in all the right ways. Dropped shoulders but without a massively low arm holes, wide and shrunken body but not Yeezy proportions, with long sleeves with the perfect amount of stack. The result is a relaxed sweater than can still easily fit under any of my jackets.
The sweater sports a tightly irregular knit. Varying gauge tension creates alternating levels of yarn density. There are pockets of dense wool and linen and clusters of open weave. My favourite feature is the random horizontal streaks of fuzzy wool injected between the linen and merino knit. The Row Gary perfectly reflects the brand’s sense of relaxed and timeless elegance. - John