My husband’s favorite vest
I got this vest for my husband and he loves it and wears it all the time, and takes it on vacations too. It is warm and soft and well made, and because of it’s nubby texture you barely notice the sweater pilling that always happens, at least a little. This vest is fantastic and looks just like pictured.
Mark
Jan 13, 2018
NOVICA is tops again!
Once again, the catalog has introduced me to a top-notch product. Oilskin is heavy and smells of oil and wax when new, so be aware. (The smell is very temporary and inoffensive.) This is a sign that it is correctly made. And you can't put it in the washing machine, although cleaning is actually easy, and instructions are included. Attention to detail, heavy duty components (snaps and zipper) and versatile pockets are exactly as described. If this sounds like something you want...it probably is (and it's well worth it). You'll probably like the collar and liner, too. I am very satisfied.
Very well made in Ireland; a classic!
This is a classic sweater in the button up cardigan style, made in Ireland by Carraig Donn, a highly regarded maker of Aran sweaters and other wool garments. It's highly versatile: It can be worn with a dress shirt and tie in all but formal business environments, yet it looks equally good with a black T-shirt and jeans. The sweater is 100% wool. As such, it has the best properties of wool, such as warmth and moisture-wicking. I find it ideal for use in the 35-55 degree Farenheit range, with no jacket on top of the sweater. (For lower temperatures, a jacket over it would work fine). Note that it does not have any man-made fibers such as acrylic or nylon; some makers make their sweaters with 10-20% of these fibers to lower costs, but they also can have the advantage of adding strength or helping a sweater keep its form. Bottom line: Very high quality, made with nothing but pure new wool -- but you do have to treat it nicely (dry cleaning is best, as is keeping it folded and away from moths!) The only (minor) negatives about this item are: Because it's 100% new wool, it is a bit itchy against exposed skin - but not a problem at all so long as you wear long sleeves underneath. Also, the buttoms are resin. Hardwood would make it a real classic, but also much more expensive and the resin buttons are almost indistinguishable from hardwood unless you examine them closely. All in all, a very nice item that you won't easily find unless you travel to Ireland. It's worth the price, as it will probably last 10 or 15 years if you take care of it.
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