Is Pringle of Scotland cashmere worth it?+
For classic cashmere knitwear with genuine heritage, Pringle of Scotland is a sound investment. It is a Scottish luxury brand specialising in cashmere, based in Hawick, and one of the world's oldest continually operating fashion companies. You pay more, but well-kept cashmere holds its shape for years, which is part of the appeal.
How does Pringle of Scotland compare to other Scottish knitwear like Johnstons of Elgin?+
Both are storied Scottish names, but they are known for different things. Pringle is credited as the originator of the modern twinset and the adapted ancient-Scottish Argyle pattern, both designed under Otto Weisz in the 1930s. Johnstons of Elgin is better known for vertical, fibre-to-finished-garment production. If you want the brand that defined the argyle-and-twinset look, that is Pringle.
Which Pringle of Scotland piece is the most iconic to buy?+
The twinset and the Argyle-pattern knit are the brand's signatures. Both were developed under Otto Weisz, appointed in 1934 as the first full-time designer in the knitwear industry, and they became favourites of stars like Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot and Jean Simmons. A cashmere twinset or an argyle sweater is the most authentically Pringle choice you can make.
What is the story behind the Pringle argyle pattern?+
The argyle Pringle uses is an adaptation of an ancient Scottish pattern, brought into knitwear under designer Otto Weisz in the 1930s. Alongside the twinset, it became the look most associated with the brand and helped make Pringle a household name. The diamond motif remains its defining signature.
When and where was Pringle of Scotland founded?+
Robert Pringle established the company in 1815 in the Scottish Borders, and it remains based in Hawick, Scotland. It initially produced hosiery and underwear, and has been producing cashmere since 1870. That long, continuous history is a big part of why it is regarded as one of the oldest fashion companies still operating.
Did Pringle of Scotland hold a royal warrant?+
Yes. Pringle once held the royal warrant as manufacturers of knitted garments, a mark of its standing in British knitwear. Combined with being one of the world's oldest continually operating fashion companies, it speaks to the brand's heritage credentials rather than any passing trend.
Why did Pringle of Scotland become popular with the football casual scene?+
During the 1980s and 1990s, leisure and sportswear played a key role for the brand, with golfers like Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie sponsored by the group. In that same era Pringle became a household name on the football terraces, and it still holds a nostalgic place in the heart of the casual movement.
Who owns Pringle of Scotland now?+
In 2000, the brand, then losing money, was bought for around six million pounds by the Hong Kong-based S.C. Fang & Sons Company. Control later passed within the Fang family, with Kenneth Fang handing over to his children Jean and Douglas Fang in 2005. The brand has continued under that ownership since.
Who designs Pringle of Scotland today?+
The brand has had a series of well-known creative leads, including Clare Waight Keller as Creative Director from 2007. More recently, Fran Stringer was announced as Womenswear Design Director in 2016, and Giuseppe Marretta joined as Menswear Design Director in 2019.
Has Pringle of Scotland done collaborations worth knowing about?+
Yes. In 2019 Pringle collaborated with H&M worldwide and with the skate brand Palace, pairing its heritage knitwear with more contemporary, streetwear-facing audiences. The brand also debuted a Japanese diffusion line, Pringle 1815, in 2012, produced by Sanyo Shokai.
How do I care for Pringle cashmere so it lasts?+
Cashmere rewards gentle handling: wash sparingly and carefully, dry flat to keep its shape, and store folded rather than hung so the shoulders do not stretch. Owners of Pringle knits often note the pieces keep their shape and colour over many years when looked after this way, which is much of what makes them worth the outlay.
