Godalming Classic Knitwear - t/a The Alan Paine Outlet Store

Godalming Classic Knitwear was formed in October 2004, trading from the delightful 17th century Cow House in Brighton Road, Godalming in Surrey. We trade as the Alan Paine Outlet Store and have a close association with Alan Paine Ltd, although we are entirely independent.

We are always delighted to welcome you at our store in Godalming, Surrey in the UK. However, for customers who are not able to visit us in person we are able to offer a range of classic garments online via this website.

Please contact us direct if you have any specific requirement and we are always happy to check our stock for you. E-mail us at enquiries@ap-shoponline.com

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The Alan Paine heritage

Alan Paine, whose roots date back to 1907, has established a worldwide reputation for quality knitwear, creating evolutionary style rather than revolutionary fashion.

Focusing on luxurious yarns, such as Cashmere, Geelong Lambswool and Merino Wool, with extensive colour ranges across all yarns, it is no surprise that the brand boasts an enviable worldwide customer base spanning New York, Rome, Paris, Moscow and Tokyo. We are proud to be associated with the Alan Paine name and to act as their factory outlet in the UK.

Alan Paine was born in September 1907. He was the second son of William and Josie Paine and his father was struggling to establish a tailoring business at 72 High Street, Godalming in Surrey, England.

Godalming was then a small town with a long history of woollen production and the family home was a lovely Elizabethan building with a large garden and an old timbered warehouse. William discovered some hand-knitting machines in the old warehouse and soon got them into use manufacturing the first cable stitch patterns. He immediately found a useful outlet at the local Charterhouse School.

These sweaters quickly grew popular with sportsmen and women at a time when sports of all kinds were becoming fashionable. In the 1920s, the 'club colour' trim was added to a plain sweater and, before long, the club colours were worn by every rowing, tennis and cricket club. Records of the many different club and college colours were carefully recorded and specially dyed wools were stocked to match the club silk ties.

A Royal endorsement

The style of the cable sweater soon became a favourite of the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VIII.

The sales of Alan Paine knitwear increased and the company was able to widen its outlets into London and throughout the rest of the country and to begin exporting overseas. From 1930 onwards, production was modernised with the introduction of electronic machines.

Through the 1950s and 1960s Alan Paine continued to flourish, developing a strong business overseas and, in particular, within Europe and North America. Today Alan Paine is based in the heart of the British countryside and continues to use British design skills.

The business is still committed to the originally philosophy and high standards of excellence set by Alan Paine all thosyears ago.