National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh

ADMISSION FREE

This week marks the last chance to see Fully Fashioned: The Pringle of Scotland Story at the National Museum of Scotland.

The exhibition, which finishes this Sunday (16 August)  marks the 2015 bicentenary of Pringle of Scotland and traces its evolution from a small hosiery firm making undergarments to an international fashion knitwear brand, at the cutting edge of style and technology.

Displaying items worn by royalty, celebrities and sportspeople as well as some of the most iconic Pringle of Scotland pieces of the last 200 years, the exhibition explores the pivotal role the brand has played in shaping the modern wardrobe.

Founded in 1815 by Robert Pringle, Pringle of Scotland’s origins lie in the development of the Scottish knitwear industry in Hawick, where it started out manufacturing luxurious knitted stockings and undergarments. By the early 20^th century, it was applying some of the techniques used to create functional underwear to making fashionable outerwear.

Pringle of Scotland made fully-fashioned garments, tailored by machine to follow the shape of the body. Hosiery encased the figure but allowed freedom of movement, and in the 20^th century the comfort which characterised hosiery became a desirable quality demanded of modern clothing and sporting attire.

Fully Fashioned: The Pringle of Scotland Story features objects drawn from royal wardrobes, Hawick Museum and the Women Golfers’ Museum as well as Pringle’s own archive. Highlights include a 1960s cashmere cardigan owned by Princess Grace of Monaco, a 1933 golfing outfit worn by legendary golfer Gloria Minoprio, a classic twinset and a blue cashmere cardigan designed by Otto Weisz.