DEHEN PORTLAND ON THE FIELD SINCE 1920

Special Edition for The Globe, Arnhem

William Dehen formed Dehen Knitting Company in 1920 and built his business by knitting unique heavyweight wool sweaters that withstood the test of time. Dehen now continues to provide crafted products, still made in Portland, Oregon, often on machines that are older than the people that operate them. Seen on sidelines through the 50’s and 60’s, Dehen’s V-Neck pullover was a staple for yell leaders, coaches and student athletes.

Re-launched for Autumn 2011, the Dehen line showcases their latest collection of well built jackets and sweaters – all featuring the same details and stitch work found on their vintage garments. The Japanese, of course, helped bring the Dehen name back onto the playing field. The Globe, Arnhem has their own special heavyweight wool V-neck sweater in Burgundy & Black. This sweater has "1969" instead of the brands "1920" on the chest.

TAKE A SEAT

You can find this Letter chair in one of the Rugby Stores. Preppy seating...

THE LETTER SWEATER

Holiday 2010 by Rugby

Dartmouth University

Princeton

Buddy Lee in an University of Minnesota Sweater

Yale University

Scene from the movie Easy Rider

Harvard University

Deuce.....

shot by The Sartorialist

Page from Take Ivy

The idea of the varsity letter was first introduced in 1865, when the Harvard baseball team added an old English "H" embroidered on their grey flannel shirt. Ten years later, the Harvard football team followed and used the "H" also on their jersey's. In that time it was common use that the player who won an important game kept the letter as an award. First you had the Letterman sweaters followed by jackets and cardigans. The letter was quite big and centered if the sweater was a pullover. If it was a cardigan, the letter was placed on the left side. The stripes on one sleeve designated the number of letters won; a star indicated the team captain.