Good Source for British Commando Sweater?

sammy

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #1

I'd like to purchase a British commando sweater (100% wool, ribbed, shoulder and elbow patches, navy color). Please recommend some good retailers (online or brick and mortar). Preferably, I 'd like to get an authentic one with the traditional slim fit. Thank You.

 

JohnRov

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #2

LL Bean and Cabelas both have them.

 

Spatlese

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #3

I swore I saw some for sale recently by another forum member under SWD B&S, so maybe have a look there too.

 

Doc4

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #4

Originally Posted by sammy

Click to expand...

I'd like to purchase a British commando sweater (100% wool, ribbed, shoulder and elbow patches, navy color). Please recommend some good retailers (online or brick and mortar). Preferably, I 'd like to get an authentic one with the traditional slim fit. Thank You.

I have one in RAF blue that I picked up from a local military surplus store, and I suggest you try the same. (I beleive mine is RCAF not RAF, but probably not a big difference.)

Going out on a limb here but ... I think you will find that the British military makes those sweaters for each branch of the military ... army, air force, navy ... and the one you describe is probably for the ... navy. I rather suspect that the "commando" one would be black.

(You will probably get a much "nicer" sweater by going with a civilian brand like LL Bean or Orvis or whoever, but ... do you really want "nice" in this instance??)

 

Wes Bourne

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #5

I purchased a black one from LL Bean last year. Only wore it once or twice; nice trim fit, but the sleeves and body are very long.

 

jc138

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #6

Originally Posted by Wes Bourne

Click to expand...

I purchased a black one from LL Bean last year. Only wore it once or twice; nice trim fit, but the sleeves and body are very long.
Got the same one. Tried the "tall" version first. I am 6"2+ and could wear it like a dress.

Settled on the regular. No complaints, very fitted, a bit scratchy, but that is what I was looking for.

 

matero30

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #7

Orvis has some too. They're not %100 authentic if that's important to you; they're more like "inspired by" the comando sweaters but more stylized. Very good quality though, they come in black or olive in shawl neck or zip up, not the crew neck you might be looking for. (yeah I used to work at Orvis lol).

If you want the crew neck I would go with llbean. Cabelas is dissapointing in my experience when you get it out of the box.

 

J

J'aimelescravates

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #8

Also, go to your local Army/Navy store. They should have some authentic "official issue" ones there

 

Wes Bourne

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #9

Originally Posted by jc138

Click to expand...

very fitted, a bit scratchy

+1 Given the width measurement they gave me for a small, I ordered a medium. While I'm used to turning back the cuffs on sweaters, I get 5 inch cuffs with this one; the sleeves are so damn long that they cover part of the elbow patches! Also, the sweater hits past the hips. Maybe it was meant to be worn tucked in?

Originally Posted by J'aimelescravates

Click to expand...

Also, go to your local Army/Navy store. They should have some authentic "official issue" ones there

+1 Also try ebay.

 

indy116

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• Nov 10, 2008

• #10

I found the sleeves on the LL Bean one to be incredibly long, at least in the tall version I bought. Returned it becasue of them. Nice sweater otherwise -- maybe the regular would be better..?