A lifelong sailor sweater from the land of the sea. ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN

Denmark, a nation surrounded by the seas of Scandinavia. With fishing such a vital industry there, fishermen would sometimes set out in the middle of the night, and clothing that kept the body warm in harsh maritime conditions while still allowing ease of movement became indispensable. ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN carries that legacy of warmth and outstanding practicality into the present day, offering sailor sweaters (fisherman's sweaters) built on this refined craft. Though simple in appearance, they are filled with thoughtful details throughout—here we introduce them.

What is ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN, the traditional sailor sweater brand?

ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN was founded in 2009 by a Danish couple, the Andersens. Building on the sailor sweater (fisherman's sweater) that the people of seafaring Denmark have cherished as an essential tool since ancient times, the brand's concept is to create "the finest sailor sweater in the world."

Across the many knitwear-producing regions of Europe and Scandinavia, the tide of the times has pushed toward mass production and efficiency, and many makers have let go of traditional methods as a result. In Denmark too, it is said that knitters who still carry on the old, inefficient techniques have become extremely rare. Wishing to pass on this fading tradition to future generations, the Andersens spent several years researching the original form of the sailor sweater. They went on to study maritime cultures beyond Denmark as well, and together with high-quality wool and knitters capable of bringing the vision to life as an actual product, they created ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN.

The secret to keeping warm

Warmth is an essential point for any sweater. The sailor sweaters from ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN are crafted with careful attention not only to blocking out cold air, but also to retaining warmth.

The sailor sweater's material is extra-spun merino wool from South America, processed in Italy. Among merino wools, only those with thicker, longer fibers are carefully selected, producing both warmth and softness. The brand originally used merino wool from Australia, but since mulesing (a practice of cutting the skin and flesh from a lamb's hindquarters to prevent maggot infestation) is still widely performed there, they switched their raw material to South American wool, which is produced without mulesing.

The sailor sweater's stitches are lined up in a pleasingly even pattern, achieved through a double moss stitch that produces the same texture on both the front and back of the fabric, giving it thickness. Because the stitches are packed so tightly together, the fabric offers excellent insulation. The moss stitch also adds stretch in both directions, which makes the sweater easy to put on and take off.

Looking at the cuffs of an ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN sailor sweater, you'll notice a thumbhole. This covers not only the fingers but reaches up to around the second knuckle, protecting the hands from cold and preventing outside air from entering through the cuffs. This detail is a remnant of the original fisherman's sweater, designed to keep the sleeves from riding up while working the nets. Of course, the sweater can also be worn comfortably with the cuffs rolled up and no thumb through the hole.

A three-dimensional shape and fine details

The ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN sailor sweater has a symmetrical shape with no distinction between front and back. This is a hallmark of the sailor sweater's design, carried on from the days when fishermen needed to be able to pull the sweater on instantly, without worrying about front or back, out on the dark sea. Recreating this front-to-back symmetry in knitwear requires an exquisite curve around the collar—one that doesn't cling to the neck, yet isn't too open either. To achieve this, ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN employs full-fashion knitting.

Generally, sweaters are made by cutting a single piece of fabric into parts—body, sleeves, and so on—and then sewing them together. With full-fashion knitting, however, each part is knitted individually to its final shape and then joined together. At ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN, this joining is done not by machine but entirely by hand, with skilled artisans carefully linking the pieces stitch by stitch. This makes for an extremely time-consuming process, but the result is a garment that feels seamless to wear, with none of the bulkiness that seams can bring.

Full-fashion knitting also gives the sweater a plump, three-dimensional shape, and since each part is knitted to match its exact pattern, there is no wasted fabric.

In addition, bar tacking is applied at various points where the sweater bears extra strain. Bar tacking refers to stitching added at the end of a knitted section to reinforce it and prevent unraveling. Though nearly invisible within the knit, it can be found at the base of the sleeves, the thumbholes, the neck, the shoulders, the hem, and the seams joining the front and back body panels—giving real peace of mind that the sweater won't fray even after years of wear. These hidden touches of durability are what allow the sweater to be worn year after year without ever looking worn out.

Example of bar tacking (circled area)

A variety of tastes. The pleasure of dressing up

The sailor sweaters from ANDERSEN-ANDERSEN (Andersen-Andersen) are simple, which makes them a wonderful main sweater for autumn and winter, ready to work in a variety of scenes. It's sure to become the piece you find yourself reaching for in the closet on a cold day.

A sailor sweater for relaxing

Why not make the sailor sweater the star of a relaxed, effortless outfit? Even when a shirt alone feels too crisp, simply layering a sailor sweater over it gives just the right amount of casual ease.

Sweater: THE NAVY CREWNECK Sailor Sweater, red (S), shirt worn underneath: LADIES BUTTON DOWN SHIRTS (Blue), bottoms: Slim Fit Jeans 12D02 Slub indigo, shoes: Side Gore Boots BS500 Stout Brown, outerwear: 【NEW MODEL】 GARAGE COAT BEIGE   

The charm of the sailor sweater is that it keeps its supple silhouette even when paired with loose-fitting bottoms. Try adding a pop of color with accessories, too.

Stay warm in a sweater when heading out too

On days when you don't yet need an outer coat, dress up your look with a sweater. Depending on how you pair it with bottoms and accessories, it can give off an elegant impression.

Sweater: THE NAVY CREWNECK Sailor Sweater, blue (XXS), bottoms: Corduroy Tiered Skirt, shoes: plus by chausser Lace-Up Shoes BL

Pair it with a brooch to change up the mood

Brooches also make wonderful accessories for a sweater. Attaching several side by side gives off a playful, spirited air.

Sweater: THE NAVY CREWNECK Sailor Sweater, grey (XXS), shoes: Chunky Heel VELVET MORNING, hat: ZERMATT (Zermatt), brooches: Ribbon Brooch・Pin・Brown Bear Brooch

Model's height: 157cm

We also carry men's sizes in the following colors. It could be lovely to choose a matching pair with a partner.

・THE NAVY CREWNECK Sailor Sweater, grey

・THE NAVY CREWNECK Sailor Sweater, blue

Caring for your sailor sweater

Basic care

The sailor sweater can be hand-washed at home. Alternatively, we recommend having it dry-cleaned each season. To prevent it from losing its shape, please fold it for storage rather than hanging it on a hanger. When storing it during the off-season, we recommend using a moth repellent.

If pilling occurs

The sailor sweater is resistant to pilling, but if it does bother you, please avoid pulling or cutting off the pills; instead, use a needle or similar tool to tuck them back into the knit.

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