Pringle of Scotland

Pringle of Scotland was founded by Robert Pringle in Hawick in 1815. Rooted in the Scottish Borders’ knitting industry, the company developed a reputation for cashmere and wool knitwear. Its history connects the making of knitted cloth with the changing place of the sweater in a fashionable wardrobe.

Argyle became one of its most recognizable signatures. The diamond pattern’s association with the Duke of Windsor helped connect Pringle to sporting dress and aristocratic leisure. Golf gave the knitwear another lasting setting, where a patterned V-neck could be both practical clothing and an expression of personal taste.

That identity reached beyond the course. Pastel sweaters and the lion emblem became part of the brand’s popular image, with the 1980s Striker logo joining the lion to its rounded lettering. Pringle’s archive offers a record of how color and pattern can turn a basic knitted shape into a sign of belonging.

The company continues to revisit that history through cashmere collections and new interpretations of argyle. It still makes many of its cashmere garments in Scotland using Scottish-spun yarn, while its wider range reflects a broader production network. For menswear, Pringle’s enduring contribution is the sweater as a central wardrobe piece, capable of expressing style through texture and proportion as readily as a tailored jacket.