Peregrine AW12: brand profile

Barbour, South Shields. Belstaff, Stoke-on-Trent. Wolsey, Leicester. Sunspel, Nottingham.

Reader, to this illustrious list of English heritage clothing stalwarts please add: Peregrine, Bristol. Up front, if it pleases you.

Founded in 1956 by JG Glover & Co - a company with more than 200 years' quality knitwear craftsmanship under its belt - the Peregrine brand mixes British styling and materials with innovative designs.

Peregrine's AW12 collection is a celebration of chunky woollen knits and waxed cotton jackets.

Left: All Terrain Jacket, in blue/yellow

Right: TT jacket, available in yellow, red and grey

Left: V-Neck Button Jumper, available in ecru and navy

Right: Crew-Neck Textured Jumper, available in yellow, navy and cobblestone

The AW12 collection also includes a beautiful range of picnic items that showcase the versatility of these materials to great effect.

Left: picnic bag,  Tweed and waxed cotton, wool insulated 

Centre: picnic rug, 1.5m x 1.5m, wool and waxed cotton

Right: wine cooler, Tweed and waxed cotton, wool insulated

That's a picnic set, designed for winter. Reader, what more brilliant example of the English keep-calm-and-carry-on spirit could you ask for?

Q&A with Peregrine Director, Tom Glover:

I asked Peregrine's Director, Tom Glover, about the inspiration behind the AW12 collection...

"The AW collection is inspired by the company's history in textiles and as manufacturers of knitwear. The range is concentrated around our strengths, using quality natural fibres to create a range of timeless classics. We have searched the world for the best Merino wool, which we now source from Peru, making every jumper stand out."

"The garments are designed with the UK market in mind, mixing classic designs and bright colours with a younger slim fitting garment, which will complement any outfit. It’s important to me that the garments serve a purpose, with the Millerain dry waxed cottons and Harris Tweeds protecting you against the elements."

I also asked Tom what he thought was driving the current surge in popularity for British heritage brands...

"British heritage has always been popular with our overseas customers in Japan, America and Europe who look at the UK as quality manufacturers. It's now nice to see the UK market appreciating British heritage clothing... I think the end customers are more educated now and more interested in where the garments are made and with which materials, which is great. In difficult times it's nice to see people looking after local industries."

A great brand. And fully deserving of its status as the South-West's standard bearer for quality, English clothing.

So stop moaning about the weather, let Peregrine help you layer up and go embrace the great English outdoors. Thorns, rain, mud and all.