Cricket Sweater from Abercrombie and Fitch

Those of us who were aware of the glorious past of Abercrombie & Fitch (even if the company greatest glory had faded long before we were born) struggle with the identity of the new company.  The new owners have taken one of the all-time great outdoor gear brands supplying essential equipment to some of the great historic expeditions and safaris of the 19th and 20th centuries ( Teddy Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and Ernest Shackleton being but a few of their long list of famous customers) and turned it into a fashion brand better known for selling ripped jeans to teenagers. 

Having said all that, I must say that I was very impressed with the layout and design their recently opened retail outlet in central Munich (although to be fair their wares are in no way equal the stunning interior architecture).

In any case, now that I've run down the company, I must say that I'm very pleased with the cricket jumper that I've recently purchased from their website.  Finding a reasonably priced cricket sweater knitted from natural yarns has proven to be a bit of a difficulty.  Acrylic jumpers, of course, is readily available and wool versions are available but at a price that I wasn't happy with. I do intend to order a custom Cricket Jumper form Rochford or Luke Eyres in the UK for next year, but I was interested in adding one into my summer sweater rotation to see if it works with my style without a large investment.  I picked this jumper from A&F on short notice (and on sale) and having done so, I must say that I'm overall very pleased with it.  Nicely knitted from 80% cotton and 20% wool, which is a great blend for summer, it's a high-quality piece.  The knitting is tidy and doesn't after a couple months of regular wear have any pilling whatsoever.  And with its very traditional look has turned out to be just what I was looking for at a fraction of the price of many ones I've seen on luxury websites.

All this is to say that while I still have my reservations with Abercrombie & Fitch, they can and at least occasionally do make some pretty nice items.   Who knew!?