You may have heard of Shetland wool. Maybe you’ve seen a couple sweaters in passing while shopping online. Or maybe one of your buddies owns a sweater. Either way, the Shetland wool sweater is a functional, handsome, rugged, yet refined garment for those in cold weather climates.
This piece also has some roots in classic American style. A staple of traditional Ivy League attire, you can see JFK casually sporting a Shetland wool sweater below.
What is Shetland wool?
Shetland wool sweaters are made from wool that is harvested from sheep in the Shetland Isles in Scotland. These sheep are known for their hard-wearing and warm wool, great for knitwear. I imagine it has to do with the harsh conditions that these sheep endure. Due to this hardy characteristic, it’s necessary to brush the wool for a softer feel, which give it a distinct “hairy” appearance (below).
Even though we love merino wool, Shetland wool sports a superior warmth to bulk ratio. While this quality may make it too warm for milder fall weather, it’s a great lightweight yet warm layer for colder winter weather.
How to style it
Like its merino cousin, the Shetland sweater is quite versatile and easy to style. Its more textured appearance fits better with casual looks. Think jeans, chinos, or even nice slacks, with chukka boots, work-inspired boots, or even plain sneakers. These sweaters look great on their own, but I think their texture lends well to layering.
Throw one of these over an oxford collar button down (OCBD) for a classic American look. These can layer underneath a variety of outerwear – a pea coat, field jacket, tweed blazer, or overcoat work best. This combination will cover almost every casual cold-weather situation. You could wear these to work, for some drinks with friends, on a date, running some errands, or relaxing in a café with the warm drink of your choice.
A few options
Legit Shetland wool sweaters will set you back quite a bit. But they will last a long time, and as we mentioned earlier, it is difficult to match their mix of quality, warmth, weight, and texture.
We list a few options at varying price points below, but as always, if you’re interested in a piece we recommend make sure to also research these items yourself. You might find something more suitable for your personal style or budget.
Spier and Mackay – $78
Price seems suspiciously low for legit Shetland wool, but they do claim it is 100% authentic. This brand is typically trustworthy, so not sure which way to go here. At worst I imagine you’d be getting a very good sweater, but do proceed with caution if you want something that is 100% the real deal. If you’re on a budget, this will be a solid option.
Pendleton – $100
Another solid brand and another very accessible price point. It says that the Shetland wool is sourced from New Zealand, which isn’t a bad thing (probably), but officially Shetland wool should be sourced from the namesake region in Scotland. Anyway, reviews on this piece are solid. If you don’t care about the actual region of origin, then this budget-friendly sweater from Pendleton will not disappoint.
Jamieson’s of Shetland – starting at $129
The real deal at a pretty affordable price. Made in Scotland, so there is no doubt about the authenticity of these sweaters. Great texture and a ton of color and pattern options. If you have the budget, it’s great to support those who are creating from the source.
J. Press Shaggy Dog Sweater – $245
On this side of the Atlantic, the J. Press piece is a classic, and a huge jump in price point. But you can already tell from the picture the difference in the brushed texture from the previous three recommendations. This one just looks toastier. And the shaggy look will add some visual interest to any cold weather outfit.
As it is their flagship item, J. Press offers a wide variety of colors and fits for their Shetland wool sweater. If you have the budget, these will be tough to beat.