Just A Jumper?
JUST A JUMPER?
Not at all!
Our vintage inspired range of knitwear represents thousands of years of history, unique to Britain.
The ancient Britons were spinning and weaving wool way back in the Bronze Age (c.2500 BC) and the process has changed very little since. This small industry needs all the support it can get to remain true to itself and represent a part of British history that should not be lost or forfeited.
Your jumper has already made a fantastic and rich journey spanning the British Isles; passing through the hands of farmers, spinners, dyers and knitters... before it becomes yours.
With the British Wool Accreditation we can promise every fibre, every process has been entirely managed, responsibly, in the United Kingdom. It never leaves these shores. Not only that, wool is one of the most versatile, sustainable and hard wearing fibres on the planet; and it doesn’t involve synthetic fibres or lab works. So when it does finally end it’s life, the garment will degrade naturally and enter back into the cycle.
We at Stanley Biggs are immensely proud to be a part of the story of wool, and we hope that you are equally proud to be supporting this ancient industry.
By buying from Stanley Biggs Clothiers, you are supporting a network and history that reaches back thousands of years and spans the length and breadth of the British Isles.
Official Supporters & Member of The Campaign for Wool.
LIVE NATURALLY AND CHOOSE WOOL.
The Campaign for Wool is a global endeavour initiated by its patron, His Majesty King Charles III, when he was HRH The Prince of Wales, in order to raise awareness amongst consumers about the unique, natural, renewable and biodegradable benefits offered by the fibre.
Encouraging collaboration between an international community of wool growers, major fashion designers, retailers, manufacturers, artisans and interior designers, the Campaign has been instrumental in educating consumers about the versatility of wool, and reconnecting them with its myriad uses.
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT WOOL?
NATURAL
Wool is a protein fibre formed in the skin of sheep, and is thus one hundred percent natural, not man-made. Since the Stone Age, it has been appreciated as one of the most effective forms of all-weather protection known to man, and science is yet to produce a fibre which matches its unique properties.
RENEWABLE
As long as there is grass to graze on, every year sheep will produce a new fleece; making wool a renewable fibre source. Woolgrowers actively work to safeguard the environment and improve efficiency, endeavouring to make the wool industry sustainable for future generations.
BIODEGRADABLE
At the end of its useful life, wool can be returned to the soil, where it decomposes, releasing valuable nutrients into the ground. When a natural wool fibre is disposed of in soil, it takes a very short time to break down, whereas most synthetics are extremely slow to degrade.
NATURAL INSULATOR
Wool is a hygroscopic fibre. As the humidity of the surrounding air rises and falls, the fibre absorbs and releases water vapour. Heat is generated and retained during the absorption phase, which makes wool a natural insulator. Used in the home, wool insulation helps to reduce energy costs and prevents the loss of energy to the external environment,
thus reducing carbon emissions.
BREATHABLE
Wool fibres are crimped, and when tightly packed together, form millions of tiny pockets of air. This unique structure allows it to absorb and release moisture—either in the atmosphere or perspiration from the wearer—without compromising its thermal efficiency. Wool has a large capacity to absorb moisture vapour (up to 30 per cent of its own weight) next to the skin, making it extremely breathable and odour resistant.
RESILIENT & ELASTIC
Wool fibres resist tearing and are able to be bent back on themselves over 20,000 times without breaking. Due to its crimped structure, wool is also naturally elastic, and so wool garments have the ability to stretch comfortably with the wearer, but are then able to return to their natural shape, making them resistant to wrinkling and sagging. Wool therefore maintains its appearance in the longer term, adding value to the product and its lifespan. Wool is also hydrophillic—it is highly absorbent, and retains liquids—and so dyes richly while remaining colourfast, without the use of chemicals.
MULTI-CLIMATIC/ TRANS-SEASONAL
Thanks to its hygroscopic abilities, wool constantly reacts to changes in body temperature, maintaining its wearer’s thermophysical comfort in both cold and warm weather.
A SAFE SOLUTION
Wool is naturally safe. It is not known to cause allergies and does not promote the growth of bacteria. It can even reduce floating dust in the atmosphere, as the fibre’s microscopic scales are able to trap and hold dust in the top layers until vacuumed away. Thanks to its high water and nitrogen content, wool is naturally flame-retardant, and has a far higher ignition threshold than many other fibres, will not melt and stick to the skin causing burns, and produces less noxious fumes that cause death in fire situations. Finally, wool also has a naturally high level of UV protection, which is much higher than most synthetics and cotton.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY STANLEY BIGGS WOOL GARMENTS?
For best results, we would recommend only Dry Cleaning the Stanley Biggs Trousers, Scarves and Caps.
Our Knitwear can be washed at home. On a cool 30 degrees Hand Wash. There are some great eco-friendly wool detergents available online, but be sure not to rub the garment (to avoid bobbling). Cold rinse the garments and avoid wrining.
Drying your wool jumper is just as important as washing it properly; do not tumble dry, and try to dry it flat (if you do hang from a washing line, do so from the bottom of the hem) and avoid direct heat and sunlight. To iron, use a warm setting.