The Dartmoor sweater

The Dartmoor is a recreation of a collaboration first undertaken by Permanent Style in 2014. 

The updated version of the polo-collar sweater is made by Italian factory Umbria Verde, and has had its collar completely re-worked to make it better able to sit underneath a tailored jacket. 

Simon considers a polo-collar sweater to be a particularly useful garment for the modern man, given it looks sharp and smart, yet relaxed.   

"I don’t necessarily want to wear a shirt every day. I instantly feel more relaxed without one, and ironing is never fun. But wearing a T-shirt under a normal crewneck or V-neck isn’t that smart. The addition of a collar makes the knitwear much sharper and sartorial, but no less comfortable," he says. 

But the problem with most sweaters in this style is they can't be worn with tailoring. The collar collapses underneath the lapels of the jacket, or flips out outside them. Simon designed this piece with Umbria Verde to improve this aspect. 

"The result works pretty well. A knitted collar like this is never going to have the stability of a shirt. It will move around, shift from side to side, and need a touch of adjustment. But it doesn’t readily collapse or flip out, and in that regard is a realistic, elegant alternative to a shirt under tailoring."

The Dartmoor is made from Loro Piana merino wool. It has a placket with three mother-of-pearl buttons, and a ribbed cuff that is designed to be folded back on itself. This double cuff is a little smarter and also allows a little adjustment in the sleeve length.

The fit is the same as Permanent Stye's Finest Knitwear, so anyone that has bought that previously should buy the same size here.

The fit is moderately slim. Full measurements listed below. The sleeve length can be adjusted by 1-2cm up or down, by changing how much the cuff is rolled back.

For more on the genesis of the piece, see the full article here. 

What our customers say: “The Dartmoor is incredible value, great quality and feels great on. I wear these casually, mostly with a T-shirt underneath. I love how light they are, and also travel with them; they pack so easily.”