Where it all began..
The story of Saint James begins in 1850 with Leon Legallais, the mayor of the village called 'Saint James' in Normandy. He decided to set up a family business around weaving and dyeing local wool from "salt meadows" - sheep bred in the bay of Mont Saint Michel. Due to the high quality of the wool and the easy accessibility, the company was able to grow quickly. A company that initially started selling knitted hats, socks and other accessories, increasingly innovated and set its sights on the clothing industry.
The birth of the famous sailor's sweater
In 1889, the first example of the well-known Breton fisherman's sweater was launched. The name of this sweater "the chandail" was given to the Norman fishermen who often wore the sweater because it was made of thick wool that offered warmth but was also water-resistant. Between the fishing seasons in the North Atlantic, the fishermen from the French coast would cross the Channel to sell garlic on the south coast of England. They made their presence known by shouting: "Marchand d'ail! Marchand d'ail!" (Garlic merchant! Garlic merchant!), to which the British heard "... chand'ail, chand'ail!" (... sweater, sweater!). This is how the name of the characteristic garment of Saint James came about.
The sweater became increasingly popular among sailors, especially since they were often at sea for months, facing extreme weather conditions and hard work. The sweater proved to be ideal: warm and easy to wear during maneuvers on the boat! The company decided to expand its range and grew into the well-known brand that we now know as Saint James.
The Saint James brand
Saint James is particularly known for its Breton sweaters of various materials, models and vibrant colour combinations. The classics are in that respect really the marree , made of high-quality wool yarn that does not pill, but also the cotton versions (such as the galathee , garde cote and the etrille ) are very popular. If you want to know more about the different types of striped sweaters and their fit, you can read about it in our blog about the types of striped sweaters from Saint James.
The Peacoats of Saint James
In addition to the Breton stripes, the peacoats are also very characteristic of the Saint James brand, because in their timeless models, they know how to express the French charm and elegance in a series of timeless coats! The best known are the Voilure and the St. Briac. The Voilure is a model that is made of 100% wool and has a tailored fit. The St. Briac is a playful variation on the Voilure and has a somewhat straighter fit and subtle details, such as a striped lining and a dotted celebration in the cuffs and collar.
An environmentally conscious and sustainable brand
Saint James is committed to environmental awareness and sustainability. They strive for a minimal ecological footprint by using high-quality, sustainable materials and carefully managed production processes. This makes their clothes not only stylish, but also long-lasting and retaining their quality. Which is of course much friendlier to the planet. Quality and sustainability over quantity is what they stand for!
More than a clothing brand, Saint James is a symbol of elegance, tradition and timeless style. With a history spanning over a century, it remains a beacon of Breton fashion loved the world over. Discover the heritage of this French icon and add a touch of maritime flair to your wardrobe.
