Personal discovery of Swanndri clothing was made by myself approximately four years ago. I was out in New Zealand and popped into their store in Rickerton on the edge of Christchurch. I noted that most of their products were assembled in China and at that time as a consequence their products of that period, when compared to the original NZ made products, did suffer quality control as a result. However, I noticed a sale rack and bought two items in the form of a Merino Vest and a Bush Shirt which were old NZ stock. I have worn both for years and without washing. The latter statement is not a declaration of any form of personal unhygienic issues on my part, the Swanni's simply do not suffer from odour issues like most other fabrics (the other natural material being silk).
I sold off the Bushshirt and regretted it after a few months. The Merino wool not only evades odour issues, but it resistant to fire sparks, so ideal to sitting around a camp fire. Man made fleece on the other hand will suffer bobbling, and will melt if so much as a cinder floats by the stuff. Merino wool will also serve to maintain and regulate body temperature far better than fleece and other man made fabrics, it will also keep your body warm when wet, so you are less likely to suffer chills and hypothermia.
I still have my sleeveless Swanni Gilli and always look forward to a drop in temperature so I can don it.
It is now August 2011 and I have just returned from my second visit to NZ. I again visited the Swanndri shop in CC, this time I noted it has changed it's presentation and marketing style of the goods, they seem to have an aim on the fashion and trendy market. However the traditional Swanni's are still available. The other sources for Swanni's are charity shops and used clothing warehouses and you will discover these to be in abundance in NZ.
I managed to find a Merino Wool Shirt for $5 (£2.50) and Rakaia Jacket for a mere $2 (£1). My travel companion found quite a few Swanndri Shirts and other jackets in such shops which still had labels in place for similar amounts of money.
My own preference is for original NZ made Swanni's as they are built much better quality and seem to last for generations. The latter made Chinese varieties are still OK and as such I would recommend them, but the quality of such items is obvious when you perform direct comparisons between one made in NZ and one from China.
It is also worth keeping an eye on Ebay and also visiting Game Fairs in the UK. I have found non branded Swanndri items at these events, often at knock down prices.
As for me, I cannot wait for winter to come so I can wear my Swannri's.
Be well.
Shamanpan (Pete)
