Shetland Drake’s vs Harley of Scotland
I really like the drake’s shetland jumpers (particularly the seaweed brushed one) but found a similar looking one on bosie Harley of Scotland. Obviously quality would be different but to what extent is this the case. (Live in the UK so drake’s costs twice as much £225)
https://www.drakes.com/products/seaweed-brushed-shetland-crew-neck-jumper
https://www.bosie.co/shetland-shop/harley-of-scotland-mens-seamless-saddle-shoulder-shetland-sweater-pineshadow-green?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_e2wBhAEEiwAyFFFo1DrWohM5aZRBRlgOLKRWxsNasXP0aiCoUrT3_0ipCvMy_9n0nmBhxoCDGcQAvD_BwE
Drakes
Seaweed Brushed Shetland Crew Neck Jumper
A crucial element of any transitional wardrobe, the brushed wool jumper is ideal for adding a touch of collegiate charm to any look, and is a piece of indispensable year-round layering. We worked with expert knitters in the Scottish Borders to make these classic crew neck jumpers, which have been brushed for a pleasing
Bosie
Quality Seamless Scottish Knitwear 100% Spun and Knitted In Scotla...
Harley of Scotland, Mens Seamless Saddle Shoulder Shetland Sweater, Pineshadow mens shetland jumper, green shetland, seamless shetland, seam free shetland, seamless saddle shoulder shetland, sweater, mens knitwear, fairisle, fair isle, shaggy shetland, shaggy dog, brushed shetland, plain shetland,
17 Replies
I would get the bosie if in the UK. It's quite likely the Drakes Shetland is made by either Harley or Jamieson's anyway
And if not "quality" of one made by Harley/Bosie or Jamieson's is as good as you could ask for a Shetland
Yeah I own a Drake's one that I got 2nd hand, and a Harley's one and they are completely indistinguishable from each other in terms of construction
Cheers cheers
1 sec let me copy paste from the last time I did a big dive into this
Also I’d say there’s relatively little quality difference between the UK made Shetland sweaters; the biggest difference are the thickness (ply) and the shoulder construction (set-in sleeve or saddle-shoulder)
+ same makers only have a very limited colour selection and others like bosie or howlin offer them in plenty different colours
"Harley and Bosie use the same yarn and mill, Howlin' does too.
Jamieson's has their own yarn which is basically the same, but different colors from the three above.
For a small upgrade, look for the brands that source from Odie"
Drake's sources their shetlands from Laurence Odie. It's a very small difference, but a noticeable one if you really really like shetlands.
with that being said... it's not really worth the extra cost unless they have unique style differences that you want that Harley/Howlin don't offer.
There's also Shetland Woolen Mill, (which I think might have some connection to Odie?) - which are one of the few that actually makes them on the Shetland isles as well as just sourcing the wool from there
I have these 3 which are all almost identical to be honest
Jamiesons and Harley supply a few other brands as well, YMC for example uses Jamiesons
The only reason I spent more for the JPress ones I have is the sleeve length, which is only available from Odie (afaik).
Allows you to do this:
If you want a cheaper alternative you can also buy Shetland sweaters from ‘Genuine Scottish Knits’ on Ebay (most retail for £60-£80); as far as I know they simply sell Shetlands sweater from last season ? I don’t think they make them themselves and source them from some of the other makers
Spier also has some very cheap shetlands on the current sale albeit with limited sizing/availability.
A quick zoom in on their stuff and it looks like Harley yarn
No clue the mill they use though
Looks like they use Esk Valley knitwear, which is the same supplier that Nigel Cabourn among others use for their Made in Scotland knits :)
ooh, can't forget William Lockie, who produce their own in addition to (I think) making for J Press and the Armoury and similar
hah that’s almost an English shetland sweater 😄
TL:DR if you had to ask if it's worth buying the more expensive option. nah.
If there's a unique style/fit that the more expensive one offers. yeah.
Quality will be the same - Drake’s recently switched to Harley for its Shetlands