Shopping bag
The Rugby Sweatshirt
When it came to our jersey collection, there were some obvious pieces that we knew had to be included from the start. The hoodie and crew neck sweatshirt were, naturally, no-brainers, and of course there had to be a pair of sweatpants, which we perfected over a number of months. Then there were the zip up pieces, the funnel neck and the 1/4 zip, respectively, which allowed us to feature our signature copper hardware. This transformed our jersey into truly luxurious staples, tying them to our outerwear which nearly always features our instantly recognisable military-grade Swiss zips from RIRI. We knew we had to tackle the rugby shirt though.
The Rugby Sweatshirt
When it came to our jersey collection, there were some obvious pieces that we knew had to be included from the start. The hoodie and crew neck sweatshirt were, naturally, no-brainers, and of course there had to be a pair of sweatpants, which we perfected over a number of months. Then there were the zip up pieces, the funnel neck and the 1/4 zip, respectively, which allowed us to feature our signature copper hardware. This transformed our jersey into truly luxurious staples, tying them to our outerwear which nearly always features our instantly recognisable military-grade Swiss zips from RIRI. We knew we had to tackle the rugby shirt though.
This much-loved British classic was a natural fit into the collection, and, with a few tweaks here and there differentiating it from traditional designs, we’re confident ours is the best on the market.
The Rugby Sweatshirt is an excellent alternative to the aforementioned crewneck or hoodie. But it also serves up a different look. Its collar sets it apart, giving it a slightly smarter feel and one that feels more deliberate. You just throw the crewneck and hoodie on without a second thought, but the rugby is more of a choice.
It doesn’t fly under the radar quite as easily as its ubiquitous cousins. And we love it for that. It’s somewhat of a hybrid garment, combining the laid back casual feel of a hoodie (with its front kangaroo pocket), with the more put-together feel of a collared shirt. Indeed, rugby shirts don’t usually feature front pockets. The garment’s roots on the sporting field dictated that, traditionally, the style wouldn’t need them. But we’ve put one on because they’re handy for storing your daily essentials, and it just looks cool.
Where our Rugby Sweatshirt really stands out though is with the fabric. As mentioned, this is part of our jersey range. This means that instead of being made from a tough, almost rigid cotton, as you’d usually expect to find, it’s actually been made from our luxurious loopback. This is a fabric we spent far longer than we should have getting right.
It’s the same 425g Japanese cotton jersey we use for the entire range, from our sweatpants through to our hoodie. It’s incredibly soft, and will, unlike other inferior jerseys, only get better and more comfortable with age. It’s a dense fabric, which is obvious the moment you touch it. The industry average jersey comes in at around 300g, so ours is significantly heavier and more robust.
It took some time to track it down, and we only managed it with the help of jersey specialist Andrew Shane, who used his fifty year industry experience to source it directly from Japan. You see, we’ve always loved the look of the traditional rugby shirt, but the stiff fabrics they come in always put us off. Which is why we made our own. Our jersey transforms this piece, taking it from something you throw on in a hurry to one you won’t want to take off. Forget your favourite knitwear, once you try the rugby sweatshirt, you won’t want to wear anything else.
It might look like a simple garment at a glance, and fundamentally it is. It doesn’t look too dissimilar from the rugby shirts you know, aside from the front pocket and the lack of stripes. It’s got a classic, regular fit like traditional rugbys, which ensures it works both on its own as outerwear or as a layering piece. But look a little closer and you’ll begin to notice small details which elevate it to something far more luxurious than what you’re used to.
There’s the collar for a start. It’s made from a beautiful, undyed herringbone cotton, which contrasts with the body of the garment. It works popped or worn open and is incredibly durable. It’s also a fabric you’ll find throughout the shirt, from the inner section of the placket, to the reinforced stitching on the inside of the front pocket. The placket itself is hidden, with just the final button visible at the neck. This gives the shirt a sharper, more sophisticated look than is typical for a rugby shirt. It changes the feel of the piece when done up, making it better suited for smart casual wear.
Elsewhere, the front pocket is slightly dropped, meaning you can put things in it without fear they’ll easily fall out. The shirt is also a stitching masterclass, with every seam covered for a clean, uncluttered look. The shoulders are in-set for a smarter feel versus the more sloppy raglan sleeve, while the chunky cuffs and hem offer a vintage-inspired look that jersey enthusiasts will no doubt appreciate.
A signature of our jersey range, you’ll also find the Private White VC copper rivet on the bottom left side of the pocket. It’s a subtle piece of branding that further differentiates this luxury rugby shirt from the pack.
As you’d expect from a jersey garment, the Rugby Sweatshirt firmly falls on the casual side of the fence. This is a piece you can wear all day around the home with sweatpants, but it’s also an easy pairing for denim jeans.
Combine a navy rugby with a pair of blue denim jeans and loafers and you’ve got a staple casual look, and one you’ll find yourself returning to time and again. You can also layer the rugby. It works really well under longer outerwear - think Peacoat, raglan overcoat or a pop over parka.
The Rugby Sweatshirt’s collar means it can pass as a smart casual garment as well though. This is particularly the case if you go for one in dark navy, which itself is smarter than lighter shades. Try it as part of a tonal look, with navy trousers and a dark blue overcoat, and finish with leather Derbies or boots.
Wear it with confidence and the rugby is at home in more scenarios than you might first think. Thanks to its luxurious fabric and considered details, it’ll become a staple of your wardrobe in no time.
Our model is 6'2" with a 40" Chest wearing a Medium (4).
This much-loved British classic was a natural fit into the collection, and, with a few tweaks here and there differentiating it from traditional designs, we’re confident ours is the best on the market.
THE RUGBY SWEATSHIRT
The Rugby Sweatshirt is an excellent alternative to the aforementioned crewneck or hoodie. But it also serves up a different look. Its collar sets it apart, giving it a slightly smarter feel and one that feels more deliberate. You just throw the crewneck and hoodie on without a second thought, but the rugby is more of a choice.
It doesn’t fly under the radar quite as easily as its ubiquitous cousins. And we love it for that. It’s somewhat of a hybrid garment, combining the laid back casual feel of a hoodie (with its front kangaroo pocket), with the more put-together feel of a collared shirt. Indeed, rugby shirts don’t usually feature front pockets. The garment’s roots on the sporting field dictated that, traditionally, the style wouldn’t need them. But we’ve put one on because they’re handy for storing your daily essentials, and it just looks cool.
Where our Rugby Sweatshirt really stands out though is with the fabric. As mentioned, this is part of our jersey range. This means that instead of being made from a tough, almost rigid cotton, as you’d usually expect to find, it’s actually been made from our luxurious loopback. This is a fabric we spent far longer than we should have getting right.
It’s the same 425g Japanese cotton jersey we use for the entire range, from our sweatpants through to our hoodie. It’s incredibly soft, and will, unlike other inferior jerseys, only get better and more comfortable with age. It’s a dense fabric, which is obvious the moment you touch it. The industry average jersey comes in at around 300g, so ours is significantly heavier and more robust.
It took some time to track it down, and we only managed it with the help of jersey specialist Andrew Shane, who used his fifty year industry experience to source it directly from Japan. You see, we’ve always loved the look of the traditional rugby shirt, but the stiff fabrics they come in always put us off. Which is why we made our own. Our jersey transforms this piece, taking it from something you throw on in a hurry to one you won’t want to take off. Forget your favourite knitwear, once you try the rugby sweatshirt, you won’t want to wear anything else.
It might look like a simple garment at a glance, and fundamentally it is. It doesn’t look too dissimilar from the rugby shirts you know, aside from the front pocket and the lack of stripes. It’s got a classic, regular fit like traditional rugbys, which ensures it works both on its own as outerwear or as a layering piece. But look a little closer and you’ll begin to notice small details which elevate it to something far more luxurious than what you’re used to.
There’s the collar for a start. It’s made from a beautiful, undyed herringbone cotton, which contrasts with the body of the garment. It works popped or worn open and is incredibly durable. It’s also a fabric you’ll find throughout the shirt, from the inner section of the placket, to the reinforced stitching on the inside of the front pocket. The placket itself is hidden, with just the final button visible at the neck. This gives the shirt a sharper, more sophisticated look than is typical for a rugby shirt. It changes the feel of the piece when done up, making it better suited for smart casual wear.
Elsewhere, the front pocket is slightly dropped, meaning you can put things in it without fear they’ll easily fall out. The shirt is also a stitching masterclass, with every seam covered for a clean, uncluttered look. The shoulders are in-set for a smarter feel versus the more sloppy raglan sleeve, while the chunky cuffs and hem offer a vintage-inspired look that jersey enthusiasts will no doubt appreciate.
A signature of our jersey range, you’ll also find the Private White VC copper rivet on the bottom left side of the pocket. It’s a subtle piece of branding that further differentiates this luxury rugby shirt from the pack.
As you’d expect from a jersey garment, the Rugby Sweatshirt firmly falls on the casual side of the fence. This is a piece you can wear all day around the home with sweatpants, but it’s also an easy pairing for denim jeans.
Combine a navy rugby with a pair of blue denim jeans and loafers and you’ve got a staple casual look, and one you’ll find yourself returning to time and again. You can also layer the rugby. It works really well under longer outerwear - think Peacoat, raglan overcoat or a pop over parka.
The Rugby Sweatshirt’s collar means it can pass as a smart casual garment as well though. This is particularly the case if you go for one in dark navy, which itself is smarter than lighter shades. Try it as part of a tonal look, with navy trousers and a dark blue overcoat, and finish with leather Derbies or boots.
Wear it with confidence and the rugby is at home in more scenarios than you might first think. Thanks to its luxurious fabric and considered details, it’ll become a staple of your wardrobe in no time.
Our model is 6'2" with a 40" Chest wearing a Medium (4).