Woolrich celebrates 180th anniversary

Celebrating its 180th Anniversary, iconic American outdoor clothing company Woolrich is creating a special collection consisting of 17 of the brand’s more historic models. Seeing an official launch within this year’s Fall/Winter season, two outerwear pieces from the line, The Stag Jacket and The Ranch Coat, can already be seen online (see image). Both blend a high grade of Woolrich’s signature wool plaid with protective climate layers and the unmatched quality synonymous with Woolrich. Only 180 units of each item in the collection is being produced and each piece will have a special label and hangtag. The collection, which is produced in the US, honours the Woolrich archives and will be distributed worldwide.

The company got its start in 1830 when John Rich, an immigrant from England, built his first woolen mill in Plum Run, Pennsylvania. Rich would visit the lumber camps that dotted the area and sell his woolen fabric, socks, coverlets, and yarn from a mule cart.

Legend has it that Woolrich was the first company to use a zipper in men’s trousers. The timeless Railroad Vest, introduced when the railroad was being built through Pennsylvania, is still a popular item. Another garment with roots back to the mid-1800’s is the Buffalo Check Shirt that has kept many generations of outdoorsmen warm.

Technological developments, new production methods, and changing American lifestyles led to new products for all types of outdoor activities–all-wool bathing suits and wool golf knickers joined rugged coats for hunters and trappers. As America took to the roads in the early 1930’s, Woolrich added automobile robes and steamer rugs for the more mobile society. Woolrich was contracted by the government to outfit Admiral Byrd’s expedition to Antarctica in 1939, 1940, and 1941.

Eventually, the introduction of new high-tech materials allowed Woolrich to enhance the performance of its outdoor wear, meeting the needs of a new generation of enthusiasts. Traditional fabrics like wool and cotton teamed up with man-made fibers to create clothing that its customers could rely on for everything from a backpacking trip to a leisurely stroll.

Image: Woolrich anniversay jackets