In this hands-on review, we’ll share our thoughts on the fit and quality of Pendleton’s wool Shetland sweater. Read on to see what we think.
Pendleton is a well-known brand with a long history. While they make many different products, the brand’s known for their quality wool blankets. Recently, I was interested in their wool sweaters, so I tried one out.
Quick Take
Overall, Pendleton’s Shetland sweater is great. It feels high-quality, the price is reasonable, and it’s machine washable which is extremely convenient for a wool sweater. The fit is good too, apart from it being a bit too long.
Click here to check out the Pendleton Shetland sweater, or read on for the full review.
About Pendleton
Pendleton started making wool products in Pendleton, Oregon in 1909. The company was founded by three brothers. The Bishop trio was inspired by their grandfather who was a weaver.
Today, over a hundred years later, the company is known for making blankets, sweaters, jackets, shirts, and other types of stylish and rugged clothing. The brand’s aesthetic is outdoorsy and classic.
As with almost any century-old company, there has been some mild controversy surrounding Pendleton. Seeing as this review just focuses on the fit and quality of their products, we’re not going to wrangle that topic here.
My Build
For reference, I’m 6’1″ and 170lbs. I have a 37″ chest and usually wear Large tops. My ideal pants size is 32×32.
Pendleton Shetland Wool Sweater
The Shetland is a “no-frills” kind of sweater. It’s 100% wool, has a crew neck and it comes in a variety of colors that are all versatile and subdued.
Now I’ll break down the fit, comfort, and care requirements.
Fit
While the fit is slightly large, it’s not unwearable. It’s a little too wide, and a little too long but I don’t think it looks bad. I will say that the sleeves are very long and I have to cuff them so they’ll fit properly and not cover my hands.
I’m wearing a large, and while it is a little too large, a medium would likely be too small. Overall, it fits well enough. I’d call it a cozy, slightly relaxed fit. It’s definitely not a slim fit.
As with all things in the world of style, fit is subjective. Some people prefer a slim fit, while others prefer a relaxed fit. For me, the Shetland feels a little oversized, but I’m okay with that.
Comfort
The Shetland is 100% wool so it’s a great layer to use during fall and winter, though it’s worth noting that it’s a bit thin.
It’s definitely not a chunky sweater. This is the kind of sweater that’s comfortable to wear over a t-shirt in the fall, but during winter you’d most likely want a coat to wear over it.
Since it’s made of wool, it does feel a little scratchy, but it’s becoming more comfortable the more I wear and wash it. Granted, it’s still not as soft as cashmere or merino wool, so if you want a super-soft sweater, look elsewhere.
Care
Usually, wool sweaters require specific care and need to be hand-washed. Not this one! A big standout feature is that the Shetland is machine washable.
That means you can throw it in the washing machine with your normal laundry.
You shouldn’t put it in the dryer though. It’s best to lay it flat to dry.
FAQs About Pendleton
Here are the answers to some common questions about Pendleton.
What Is Pendleton Known For?
They’re most well-known for their blankets, although they also make all sorts of clothing.
Does Pendleton Still Exist?
Yep, they’re still around!
Is Pendleton a Good Brand?
Yes, they’ve been making high-quality products for more than 100 years.
Is Pendleton Owned by Native Americans?
No, but Pendleton does have a history of making blankets to sell to Native Americans, and they’ve worked with Native American artists in recent years.
My Recommendation
If you like the look of the Shetland sweater, and it’s within your price range, go for it! It’s not a heavy-duty sweater, but it’ll help keep you warm on chilly days.
I’ve found it to be durable and versatile, and being able to wash it with my other clothes in the washing machine is super convenient.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
I’m sorry, but that sweater does not look good nor short-person friendly at all. How can this sweater be “great” with a “good” fit. Judging from the photos, this blog post seems like one of those posts about how standard clothing make for terrible fits on shorter men.
Even rolled up, the sleeves are too long. And the shoulder with of the shoulders would need someone with a shoulder with that’s a least a foot wider (look how the sleeve’s seam is almost at the bicep).
Couple of things: this was written by Graham, who is 6’2″, so not a shorter guy (for some reason, it was published under “TMM Staff”…I just changed it).
Re: shoulders, this sweater has drop shoulder construction. The seams are meant to sit lower like that.
It’s definitely a relaxed fit sweater and not for everyone, but I think it works well on Graham. If he sized down, the body length would be way too short.
Thanks for your comments!
Thank you both for chiming in! It’s definitely not a perfect fit, as I pointed out in the article. However, I don’t mind a slightly oversized fit for a casual sweater. The sleeve length is kind of ridiculous, but I don’t mind cuffing them. It’s a quick and easy fix.
Some people would say that the fit is good enough, others would say it’s too oversized. To me, that’s part of the beauty of personal style.