38: Woolrich Woolen Mills, Woolrich, PA
Tied is spending the summer in pastoral Pennsylvania, home to vibrant cities, incredible breweries, and arguably the most beloved of outdoor brands, Woolrich. En route to Pittsburgh, Tied couldn’t help but stop at the iconic factory to take a look around the grounds, visit with some sheep, and pick up some treats.
To say Woolrich is a Pennsylvania institution almost undermines the history of the company itself- the town exists because of the company, a mere 43 years younger than the Pennsylvania ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Today, it’s as quietly iconic as LL Bean is to Maine and Murray’s Toggery Shop is to Nantucket, with an outfit spanning the gamut of clothing to home accessories to petwear.
Woolrich still spins many of its woolen products on-site at its mills, and the store and factory has charming displays of bobbins with the spool ends of wool still on them from their finished product. Tied found a waxed ¾ zipped windbreaker, with an ideal light weight for both late Pennsylvanian summer storms and brisk New England fall mornings. With adjustable cuffs, a roll-up hood, a generous kangaroo pocket, upper arm pockets, and more, this jacket becomes a carryall in itself, eliminating the need for cumbersome bags.
Here, the devil is in the details- from the carefully embossed leather fobs to the plaid lining, the jacket is both a minimalist’s and maximalist’s dream, with a careful balance in between.
We look forward to returning to the Woolrich store once the summer has faded, hopefully to tour the factory and show you more of what this historic and beloved company has to offer for the upcoming fall and winter season.