ARMOR LUX

The company that was to become Armor Lux was founded in 1938 by Walter Hubacher in Finistére, France. Initially named Bonneterie d'Armor and specialising in lingerie and underwear, it wasn't until 1947, during the occupation of France, that Armor Lux was founded as a result of his desire to expand the company aligned with his love of the sea and Brittany itself. Armor Lux began to make outerwear, specifically aimed and in tune with the sea faring heritage of the area. A plot of land was purchased by the race track and a factory built, initially for 50 workers to utilise their knitting skills and apply them to outer wear with the aim of maintaining the quality that  their hosiery had become well known for.

Over the years the company expanded, experimented and reworked their clothing but always retained their core commitment to quality and the heritage of the area. Their long sleeve sailors knit is embodies this, still made with the original design features such as the boat neck and using carded cotton it has rightly become renowned as a classic. Originally made for the sailors to be able to wear out at sea and give protection against the elements and their work, carded cotton is tougher than a standard cotton, the neck line originally used so that there was no front or back as it could be worn either way. The classic stripe was introduced to make a sailor who had fallen in to the sea more visible, the striping always standing out against the sea no matter what the weather.

Their range, of course, goes far beyond just the classic sailors shirt but it always incorporates elements from their history. Light weight , short sleeve t-shirts carry the classic striping, woollen knits carry the boat/sailor neck line, coats incorporate classic sailor details. While Armor Lux is a brand with the sea at its core it has now moved beyond being just about the sea.