Connolly does Shetland
As a boy who grew up in an old house in the country, knitwear often weaves through my mind.
That childhood has left me with a strong belief in the “pop a jumper on” heating system, and it is into cashmere I retreat, comforted by a beautiful Begg cardigan each evening and speaking of cashmere this Favourite keeps winking indulgently at me.
Today though, I want to speak about something which I throw on when I wake each morning between September and June.
Like all the best design, something simple, something utilitarian and something executed elegantly.
The Connolly Shetland.
It is the knitted in Scotland equivalent of the perfect white tee.
Like the t-shirt, it sits over, it can be a simple statement, worn tucked into jeans and off out the door.
Or over shoulders and tied around neck.
Mostly though, thanks to our British weather and my addiction to layering, it sits as a dependable, ever reached for buffer, between t’s, long sleeve waffle thermals with layers on top.
From dog walking, truck driving, beach combing Mayfair strolling or sat here at a table tapping away with fire in front of me.
I picked it up on my Birthday last December and knew I’d wear it a lot, but daily? Perhaps not. Yet, for nigh on 10 months of these past twelve it’s been on my back daily, because it does so much and so many of the lived with itchy, scratchy annoyances of Shetland knitwear are nowhere to be seen.
Knitted without frustrating side seams, which is a nod to the Shetland sweaters handknit origin, a nod which is not only more efficient, but leads to a minimal almost engineered garment. A jumper which shines rather than irritates.
Speaking of engineering, it manages to be both light as a feather but hefty like puffed up down, with an elegant pattern/cut which means the knit is more comfortable than expected with a pleasing drape.
When tucked in and allowed to billow, it’s modern, and slightly dropped saddle shoulders, comfortable arms and a neck wide enough to offer a hint of what is beneath lead to someone asking recently if it was from The Row, no, around the corner Clifford Street.
And away from various W1 postcodes, out here in the field as the rain tries but fails to find new, annoyingly innovative ways to soak me through, I know under my kept me dry waxed outer layers, I will stay warm, but also look as I wish to after my coat is removed.
Speaking of rain, the colour is of sheep drying in the sun after an early spring shower, with a depth of tone and colour in the weave that reminds me of the floor upstairs in the Clifford Street store and this is what clever brands do, the brands we talk about and the ones that are worth it, they build worlds; the store; the product; the design; the service and the stories told all speak from the same hymn sheet, all meld together to create a world with firm foundations.
Which is why the weave echoes the floor and it’s built to last with an exterior like a grade II listed early 18th Century London townhouse and an inside that has been brushed for that Connolly cuddle.
Other items shown:
Bremont Altitude MB Meteor
Double RL Mason Sports Shirt
Double RL Buffalo Western Shirt
Visvim Wildflower Bandana
Drakes Waxed Wader
Visvim Wool Cashmere Beanie
Double RL Wool Plaid Workshirt
Double RL Beach Cloth Vest
Double RL Long Sleeve Waffle Thermal
Double RL Straight leg once washed jeans x 2
Visvim Mayan Belt.