I wouldn't touch Paine with a bargepole now, last one I bought directly from them about 5 yrs ago started 'piling'(?), very soon and it hadn't been washed, I've a couple of Jamieson's shetlands, decent quality and price is ok, End & 'Dick's of Edinburgh' always have a good selection, had mixed results with Smedley's over the years, best value for money ? - Uniqlo merino crews, (£30), and they wash well, Paul Simon told me it's the only other shop he goes to....

I lost interest in Alan Paine when the more they played on their English heritage the less likely the products were likely to be manufactured in the UK.
I usually visit the Uniqlo shop in Stratford Westfield about every 6 months. I have bought a few merino jumpers there but mine seem to start to bobble up after a while. Doesn't bother me as they are cheap. I like some of the T shirts they sell. Made in China though.

Why specifically is Grenfell suspect?  They make in UK, even make their own fabric and have a factory to keep open. It's gone bust a number of times but is back under new owners. They have invested into UK and production. They updated their website and some of the styles, but didn't lose the orignal products and care for them. They may be making some things I don't like, so I don't buy them. But some of their products are utterly wonderful.  The new stuff enables the classic items to continue. I think we need to be careful about being too precious.  I've bought from them in last few years multiple times and they have been wonderful in service and quality each time.  I had follow up emails from the CEO, they care.

We live in a modern world. UK and USA aren't the main markets for these brands, if they depended on them they will be gone for ever.  Their sales are often to Singapore, China and Japan these days.  My son at 20 now gets the value of vintage and I'm getting him to appreciate better brands over time, heritage as a descriptor to him is helpful. I know we can be dubious about 'heritage' lines, but how else do you sell jackets first designed nearly a century ago.  Even the 'cool' 1950/60s associations are 50/60+ years ago. They aren't going to sell much to old men, so they need to find a way in to people who buy. I'd suggest we try to be grateful for what we have left and support it.

Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2021-10-04 13:20:49)

I became quite excited to see that Invertere duffle coats were being produced again, then found out that they were only being sold in Japan, for about £800.