After seeing it on social networks, this is a piece that was highly anticipated , and which marks the return of the good big cardigan with a thick shawl collar at BonneGueule.
And we worked hard to make this piece exceptional in terms of the material, but also in its use. This is a different cardigan than what we've done in the past, and I'll tell you why.
Why this thick cardigan?
As you know, cardigans with thick shawl collars are one of BonneGueule's emblematic winter pieces. I love this majestic collar shape and this imposing side of such a knit. This is why we have been offering them in our collections for almost 10 years.
For this new Plockton cardigan, I wanted to slightly modify its use, based on an observation that comes from... you!
In fact, several of you have told me that you sometimes use our thick cardigans as “mini” outerwear , to replace a jacket for example.
From there, I wanted to go further and offer a really good chunky knit whose material, thickness, and especially the cut, would be suitable for this use.
To put it simply, you need a chunky cardigan that can be worn over a knit - fine, medium or thick - an overshirt, or even a workwear jacket.
That's why we did a lot of work on the cut , which must be loose enough for layering while maintaining a beautiful silhouette.
A generous and comfortable cut
Yes, this cardigan is looser than our other knits , allowing you to comfortably wear several layers of clothing underneath.
In English, there is a word that I like to describe this stitch: “chunky”.
For example, underneath this cardigan you can easily wear:
- a fine turtleneck with an overshirt,
- a medium weight mesh,
- a shirt with a workwear jacket.
In short, assume that this cardigan offers the same possibilities as a classic coat!
A very luxurious 100% lambswool yarn from Todd & Duncan
We have worked several times with Todd & Duncan, one of my favorite wool yarn suppliers. Click here to see why I like it so much.
In summary :
- 150 years of experience in Scotland in sourcing and spinning the finest fibers… with all the traceability that goes with it!
- a maniacal concern for quality with double and triple checks in every direction,
- an unrivaled reputation for the beauty of their colors for knits rich in details,
- one of the most renowned suppliers in the world when it comes to knitwear, widely praised by luxury houses.
And I remind you, with great pride, that we are the only French brand to have produced a video report on this prestigious supplier:
In the case of this cardigan, it is 100% mulesing free lambswool , very soft.
With its fineness of 18.5 microns , I have even seen some professionals in the sector affirm that it is Todd & Duncan which offers the softest lambswool in the world, because the average lambswool is rather around 21 - 24 microns.
Only the longest fibers are kept (approximately 42 mm), this allows the knit to maintain a good hold and considerably limits pilling.
But it is not finished…
A charmingly irregular texture with advanced engineering
This is what makes this cardigan visually unique, it is obviously this irregular yarn, which completely honors our famous taste for texture.
But making a textured knit is not that simple! To achieve this, Todd & Duncan mixes three threads:
- two “normal” wires, not irregular,
- and an irregular thread, with different thicknesses along the length.
And that's where the hardest part begins.
Indeed, Todd & Duncan worked a lot to create a “randomly coherent” thread: the irregularities must be placed randomly (otherwise we lose the “raw” visual effect), with variable sizes, but within a range of very strict volume so as not to have a wire going in all directions.
Creating harmony with randomness: that's the whole philosophy of this thread.
This is where Todd and Duncan's experience and knowledge of the machines is very valuable, and this thread requires the machine engineers to communicate very closely with the quality team, to ensure quality and distribution of the different irregularities of the thread, without weakening it.
The magic that happens in the Todd & Duncan factory
This is a process that must be repeated several times because I remember that we are working with a 100% natural material, the characteristics of which can vary depending on the batch of fibers.
The result ? An exceptional knit, truly.
It is super soft, very warm, with exceptional thermal qualities indoors or outdoors , with a t-shirt or sweater underneath. And I'm in a good position to talk about it, because I'm writing these lines wearing this cardigan!
My personal test of this cardigan as outerwear
Above all, it's really a very pleasant room, both indoors (I'll expand on this point in a moment) and outdoors. Now let’s see the different possible uses!
To what extent does this cardigan replace a coat?
That's the question !
Everything will depend on what you are going to wear underneath, but overall, according to my numerous escapades, I would say that the good range would be between 5°c - 15°c . Exactly like a classic coat after all.
One thing to keep in mind: this cardigan, as warm as it is, is not windproof. So if you just wear a t-shirt underneath, go outside, and it's windy, you might get cold. So remember to have an outfit where the arms are completely covered.
From my experience, when you wear two layers under this cardigan (shirt + sweater, shirt + overshirt, shirt + workwear jacket, etc.), you no longer feel the wind.
Sweater + overshirt + thick shawl collar cardigan = the cold won't go away!
There is an advantage in all this: if it is not windproof, that means that it is even more breathable , and that is why it adapts without problem to temperatures interiors.
Which brings me to my next point…
Can I wear this cardigan indoors?
Yes !
If this cardigan was designed as outerwear, you can also wear it with a simple shirt indoors . And there I guarantee you that you will be able to lower your heating bill!
The anecdote may make you smile, but very recently, I organized a small party at my house, and the participants very politely asked me if I could turn on some heat. Having worn this cardigan all day at home, I had — and I swear it's true — completely forgotten that my radiator was off!
It will be a little looser than a classic knit, less fitted, and you will quickly get a taste for this cut.
Can I wear a coat over this cardigan?
This cardigan was designed to replace a coat in autumn/winter, so if you put a coat on top, you risk feeling very cramped.
If, on the other hand, you have a very loose parka, it's possible! And there you will have the best of both worlds, with a windproof layer (the parka) and a layer that retains a lot of heat (the cardigan).
What if it rains?
Obviously, this cardigan is not waterproof. It won't protect you from rain, but if it ever rains on it, don't worry, it won't be damaged . As soon as you go indoors, the heat from your body will quickly dry it out.
If it is very wet, just remember to dry it away from a direct heat source, and flat.
And of course, using an umbrella remains an option to stay dry.
About the price of this part
You have to understand that this is a truly luxurious lambswool, and few people other than luxury houses work with such quality because of its price.
However, I love this material, even more when it is used in a knit with a lot of volume. But using a wool from Todd & Duncan, very high-end, and in quantity, is necessarily more expensive than a basic knit.
It will therefore have a price of €450 , which is the same as another cardigan that we released, the Paulin . Having studied the beast carefully, I assure you that a cardigan weighing 1.1 kg of Todd & Duncan lambswool would very easily cost €700 at a classic brand and easily €1000 at a large luxury house.
It is therefore a unique knit that you are about to have in your hands , with such pleasant warmth that it will become a must-have in your winter wardrobe.
Finally, a little new feature on this cardigan: a button is placed under the neck to close the cardigan and protect you from the cold!
Identity card of our Plockton cardigan
100% lambswool from Todd & Duncan , Scotland
Micronnage: 18.5 microns
Weight: 1.1kg for size M
Wool origin: Australia, South Africa or New Zealand, mulesing free (without animal abuse)
Spinning: in Scotland with a mottled yarn made up of 3 threads
Manufacturing: in Ukraine
Size guide: as it is a generous fit, designed to be worn over blazers or sweaters, take your usual size . For a more fitted fit, take a size smaller . To access our size guide, click here .
For information, Louis, our model (for outdoor photos), measures 1m82 and weighs 77kg and wears a size L. Romain, our model (for studio photos), measures 1m90 and weighs 85kg and also wears a size L.
How to get your hands on this cardigan?
Our capsule with exceptional materials, consisting of this coat, a cardigan and an overshirt, is available now .
Chapter 1 of this capsule, presenting our overshirt made from recycled fabric in Italy, can be discovered here .
Chapter 3 , introducing our majestic donegal tweed coat woven in Ireland, can be found here .
