Fans of the Coen Brothers’ 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski will undoubtedly jump at the chance to own a reproduction of Jeff Bridges’ iconic Pendleton Westerley. But even if you are not a huge fan of The Dude, there’s no denying that this is one comfy and attractive cardigan.
The Westerley first debuted in 1974 and was inspired by Cowichan sweaters handknit by Native American tribes from the Pacific Northwest. The result is a sweater that is warm and rugged. As with most items from Pendleton, it oozes a sort of outdoorsy, lumberjack aesthetic. It’s the sort of cardigan you see your dad wearing. But dads do sometimes have good fashion sense, and they usually have good taste in movies.
The Westerley would have remained an inconspicuous piece among Pendleton’s wide range of chunky knits had it not been for The Big Lebowski. In 2011 Pendleton first tried to recreate this classic cardigan, but it wasn’t until 2014 that they felt they had properly reproduced The Dude’s look. The Original Westerley is currently available for $240 USD from the Pendleton website. The cardigan perfectly matches the one in the film, down to the color, weight, and ring zipper pull. Warm and made from soft lambswool, it’s the perfect sweater to wear on a chilly fall day.
