Kate Agathon

This season, sweaters in classic Fair Isle and Kofte patterns are trending.

 

From traditional outdoor recreation clothing outfitters such as Kuhl, to refined urban lifestyle brands as Talbots, sweaters with complex rustic patterns are seemingly everywhere.

In a world full of Norwegian sweater wannabes, why not try the original? Look no further than Dale of Norway!

Dale of Norway Peace Sweater Review

I was super excited to try out the Dale of Norway Peace Sweater for a couple of reasons.

 

First of all, Dale of Norway has exquisite craftsmanship. The company was established in 1879, so they’ve had over a century to perfect its craft and produce the best nordic sweater in the world. Secondly, I’ve wanted a famous Dale of Norway sweater for practically my entire life.

 

My enthusiasm for Dale of Norway has been decades in the making.

 

I consider the look that is trending now as a classic that has never (and will never) go out of style. As a child of the preppy 1980s, I grew up in a house where Fair Isle sweaters and heavy fisherman’s sweaters from Ireland, boiled wool jackets, etc. were commonplace. We didn’t have much money, so any of those wardrobe staples were found at thrift stores.

 

The one winter item that was the treasure in my mother’s closet was her Dale of Norway sweater jacket that she had procured during one of her thrifting adventures. With its lovely detailed pewter clasps and alpine-inspired motif, it was beautiful and easy to see why it was so coveted. My 10-year-old self vowed to someday wear a Dale of Norway sweater. And now that day has finally arrived!

 

Look and Fit

The slim fit Dale of Norway Peace Sweater is true to size.

 

I was a little trepidatious how one of the midweight sweaters would fit, but to my delight, it fit perfectly. It was not too loose in the shoulders and there was no gaping underneath the arms.

 

Despite the slim fit, I could comfortably wear a baselayer or long sleeve t-shirt underneath it without feeling constrained. Even with the zipper pulled all the way up on the collar, it was not constraining or itchy.

 

The first time I wore it to the local pub, the woman sitting next to me immediately commented on what a beautiful sweater it was. I beamed.

 

Due to its classic design and construction, the Peace Sweater is the quintessential Dale of Norway sweater.

 

The company’s motifs have always drawn inspiration from nature or Norwegian heritage. Their sweaters are also heavily symbolic, showcasing values or geographic locations appropriate to the theme of the sweater.

 

Symbolizing the Olympic concept of peace, the aptly named Peace Sweater was originally designed for the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics. It features an elaborate snowflake and an eight-petal rose pattern motif.

 

The exquisite half zip sweater is accentuated with beautiful details that include a stand up collar with rounded upper points, a pewter heart zipper, delicately embroidered alpine flowers along the placket, and intricate pewter buttons along the cuffs. A discreet Dale of Norway patch is sewn along the left sleeve.

 

I wore the Marine Peacock color; a departure from the classic red, white, navy and black the company is known for. It is a trendier color (I am a sucker for teal), but the sweater is still distinctly Dale of Norway. Maybe some day I will have the same sweater in red or black (hello, holidays).

Heritage

Dale of Norway is synonymous with quality and winter. It is one of those brands that you buy once and wear for decades because they never go out of style and they’re so well made.

 

The 145-year-old company focuses on using only high-quality Norwegian wool and its sweaters are produced entirely in Norway. They became popular in 1956 when the company began outfitting the Norwegian national ski team. Ever since then, they have been a brand synonymous with skiing and the Winter Olympics.

 

The classic sweaters were born in the mountains, and they continue to be worn in the mountains. During ski season, Dale of Norway is a common sight at Beaver Creek and Vail resorts where I sometimes go to ski.

 

The Dale of Norway Peace Sweater provides just enough warmth. Not the heaviest or lightest sweater they make, the Peace Sweater hits the sweet spot of keeping you cozy even when the weather turns and the snow begins to fall (I guess the Norwegians know a thing or two about the cold).

 

Online reviews of the 100 percent Norwegian wool sweater are a perfect five stars for its warmth and style. They were right on the mark. The Dale of Norway Peace Sweater really is the perfect sweater for alpine culture.

In addition to its warmth, the insulating wool is non-itchy and its nature-inspired designs make you feel festive.

 

The Dale of Norway Peace Sweater is perfect for apres ski and on late season days on the mountain where it is warm enough to not wear a jacket, but cold enough that you still need to wear a warm layer.

Overall Thoughts

The Dale of Norway sweater is something you wear for life, not a season. Some would say they hint at Old Money. I’d say they hint at tradition.

 

While this season’s retro-inspired sweaters all appear similar in style, there are definitely some differences in quality and materials. The thought and tradition that Dale of Norway puts into its beautiful sweaters are noticeably absent from other brands.

 

At $325, the Dale of Norway Peace Sweater is on the pricer side, but it is a wardrobe investment and retains its value. Long after the copy cats are discarded, the Dale of Norway will remain because it is the real deal for its classic design and quality construction.

 

Available in five colors (Red, Blue, Black/Offwhite, Marine Peacock, and Ultra Marine Offwhite) and six sizes (XS to XXL), the timeless Dale of Norway Peace Sweater is beautiful and functional and is my favorite sweater for apres ski.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbabies, Sansa and Benjen.

 

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing.

Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers. She and her fiancé, Paul, live in Summit County with their dogs, Benjen and Sansa.

Kate earned a BA in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving two terms on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

The Dr. of Stoke has been part of the Engearment team since 2016.