Would anyone wear a wool Fisherman's sweater?

Macchina

Macchina

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I see these hand knitted wool sweaters (usually made in Scotland, Ireland, or England) typed as being very warm and meant for the outdoors. I picked one up for a good price and I cant help but think I'd look pretty silly wearing it fishing. I do a lot of Fall/Winter Steelhead fishing and always wear wool when I'm out, but this thing looks really feminine to me... My wife claims she had the same shirt in high school.

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Hey, all the urban prepsters are wearing flannels and Pendleton's and Russell's. Why not steal a little of their fire? After all, they stole it from those he-man kilt wearing trout fishermen up the glen.
 
I bought one in Ireland although it is black and grey. The problem is, I live in Texas and it is never cold enough to wear the thing. They are incredibly warm and a smart choice if you live up north.
 
These were worn by commercial fishermen in days of yore. Some areas had their own distinctive knit pattern.
Wool is a good choice in damp, wet cold and that describes the UK in winter and also the northwest coast of North America. I work outside and have tried polyester fleece but I went back to wool - usually merino wool which is almost itch free. That's everything from base layer to mid to outer. Merino wool socks are pure luxury and, hey, they keep your feet warm.
I know what you mean about that cable knit looking feminine but it sure beats hypothermia and I guess it's supposed to look nautical.
Some styles from other areas ,such as Guernsey and Scandinavia, have a plainer look.
 
You may not look so silly if fall in xP

Wool is the only the only fabric that remains warm even when soaking wet.

Dave Canterbury quoted it as retaining 80% of its insulative value. Idk the science of it, but I know that your blanket can get fully wet and you'll still have a good nights sleep.
 
PS yes, I'd wear it. White may have not been choice though even though its a classic.

Maybe a box of RIT would make you feel better?
 
Why worry what you like when fishing? If it keeps you warm when wet, wear it. Screw what others think (or what you think others think).
 
I think the item pictured is an Arran style but there a PLENTY of different patterns of woolen jumpers/ganseys/jerseys out there.

My mother is currently knitting a gansey for my father. A traditional north-east coast of England pattern, that is seamless (I can't remember if its Staithes or Filey pattern??).

There's some info here....
http://www.ganseys.co.uk/
....so you can decide if they are manly enough for ya ;)
 
The one I have is a Cheviot sweater from the UK. Like I said above, I wear almost exclusively wool when i'm in the woods in the cold. Each winter I more impressed than the last by how well wool performs.

Normally I could care less about how I look (the Tilley hat proves that), but this shirt may be a special case. Perhaps the Rit dye is the way to go.
 
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Vanity. Wear what you have that does the job. I see nothing wrong with that sweater aesthetically. Especially during outdoor recreation. Edit: I just saw a dude jogging down the street in yoga pants, you should be fine with that sweater. :)

If you want to nitpick about functionality i like my sweaters with turtlenecks to protect the neck and a 1/2 length zip or better still a full length zip to vent excess heat. Any wool layers should have an airy weave and be used together with a wind and waterproof shell.
 
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I wore one of those for years. I can't remember if I wore it out or outgrew it. :o

It was warm and old and the itch was pretty much worn out of it so I loved it. Pretty sure nobody thought I looked feminine in it.
 
I wouldn't wear if just because of all the snag potential. Also, I like clothing that I can use for more than one type of activity. If I can't wear while I'm working I just about won't own it. That being said, I do own snow boarding pants and a jacket, not to mention my wedding/funeral suit.


I think that sweater would look good with a flannel shirt.
but if you feel it's too "feminine" just grow a big bushy beard or start chewing tobacco. Maybe get a trucker hat.


P.S. The "fishermen" in Fishermen's Sweater is a commercial fishermen. Like lobster boat. For 100's of years fishermen would wear wool because it's warm when it's wet, then they might wear waxed or oiled cotton canvas over it.
 
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Chris Pierce said:
I wouldn't wear if just because of all the snag potential. Also, I like clothing that I can use for more than one type of activity. If I can't wear while I'm working I just about won't own it. That being said, I do own snow boarding pants and a jacket, not to mention my wedding/funeral suit.


I think that sweater would look good with a flannel shirt.
but if you feel it's too "feminine" just grow a big bushy beard or start chewing tobacco. Maybe get a trucker hat.
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I often (almost exclusively) wear knit sweaters when it's in the woods. My other wools have various knit sizes but I find a knit sweater breaths better than anything when I'm moving. I usually wear a mediuim-thick merino sweater with a mock turtle neck, they're made for dressing up but do just as nice as Icebreaker for 1/4 the cost. We rabbit hunt in the dead of winter here in Michigan and some days are close to zero and well below with windchill. I will wear a knit sweater as my outer layer on those days because sweat can really be a problem when you're moving and then stop in that kind of cold. If I'm going to be a standing a bit during that kind of weather a windbreaking is required.
The only times I don't wear a sweater on the outside is if I know I'm going to be hunting the brambles, then I'll wear Filson Tin Cloth on top and bottom. Also if it's really cold out and I'm not going to be exerting myself, it's a Filson Double Mackinaw. In both instances I have a sweater on under my outer layer.

As for this Fisherman's sweater, I'm going to try to dye it grey with some Rit Dye tonight.
 
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