The Pendleton Woolen Mills was founded in 1863 by Thomas Kay, and originally produced Indian style blankets before moving onto the production of shirts. At a time when shirts were bought solely for warmth and durability, Pendleton saw an opportunity to add colour and texture into the mix with their quality wool. As wool is less likely to wrinkle and both more absorbent and warmer than classic cotton, the popularity of the shirts quickly grew.
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| The Beach Boys were originally called 'The Pendleton's' but their record company changede their name to something more obviously 'surfy'. Image from the LA Times. |
In 1961 The Beach Boys (who were originally called the Pendleton’s) made the plaid shirt a must have item, and a classic 60's “look” became wool shirts worn as jackets and paired with jeans.
Fancy getting' in on the action? Here are our 6 top Pendleton picks:
Vintage Pendleton Wool Check Shirt, £35, Sam Greenberg Vintage
Vintage Pendleton Check Wool Shirt, £35, Sam Greenberg Vintage
Vintage Pendleton Check Wool Shirt, £35, Sam Greenberg Vintage
Vintage Pendleton Check Wool Shirt, £35, Sam Greenberg Vintage
Vintage Pendleton Check Wool Shirt, £35, Sam Greenberg Vintage
Vintage Pendleton Checked Shirt, £24.99, Square Balloons