Lyle and Scott isn’t just about golf – the company’s designer clothing has a wide appeal.
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Experience counts
Lyle and Scott – William Lyle and Walker Scott – was founded in the late 1800s in Hawick, a town on the Scottish borders, which already had a reputation for its knitwear. Lambswool was washed in the water of the local river, the Teviot, which was said to produce a fine, soft finish to the garments. Initially, Lyle and Scott concentrated on underwear and hosiery, and produced such high quality products that it grew more rapidly than they had ever thought it would. It was this initial experience that allowed the company to branch out to other clothing.
Partnerships and designer status
Already famed for their high quality, Lyle and Scott’s golf wear range, which the company began manufacturing after the First World War, was incredibly popular with the domestic market. Less than ten years later, the company entered into the first of its serious partnerships, to manufacture Y-front underwear for UK and European markets. A big designer break for Lyle and Scott came when it worked with Christian Dior. The internationally-famous French designer wanted a cashmere range to sell in the US and Canada. Lyle and Scott made the collection to Dior’s design under a duel brand, which allowed the company’s name to become synonymous with quality in the important US market.
Eagles and crowns
Lyle and Scott’s first dedicated golf collection boasted their now-famous symbol: the eagle. Over the years, as the company has extended its influence over designer clothing in the golf world, the eagle has become a regular part of victory celebrations, as Lyle and Scott wearers scoop golf’s top prizes. In 1975, the company was granted the Royal Warrant by Appointment to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and later began to design and produce high quality golf clothing for ladies in addition to the growing collection.
Today’s Lyle and Scott