G.R.P.

G.R.P. products at HANSEN

Here at HANSEN, we are proud to introduce a range of G.R.P. products into our collection. We were drawn to the brand because of their dedication to traditional work methods and high-quality materials. The results are unrivalled. 

First of all, we stock the Girocollo Lunga, a long-sleeved, crewneck knit. This piece is made entirely from the best quality Peruvian linen, making it a pleasure to wear. Not only is the piece light and airy, but it’s luxuriously soft as well. It is a brilliant piece of knitwear for those transitional months or for breezy summer evenings. The piece is available in both a deep, dusky blue colour and in black. Because the piece is made from linen, the colours have a depth to them with greyish fibres incorporated into the overall colour. Therefore, they’re beautifully soft to look at and are more complex than other materials. 

The rest of the G.R.P. products we stock are short-sleeved knit pieces, such as the Polo Marinara, a short sleeve polo shirt. This piece is made from the same 100% linen fibres. However, to fit with its polo description, it has two buttons down from the top at the front of the piece and a small collar. 

Polo shirts are usually knitted garments and this piece is no different. The item was first taken up at the end of the 19th century as part of the sportswear of the British ruling class. The horse-back game of Polo was brought over from India along with the item of clothing.  It was the perfect garment for more rigorous exercise thanks to it being more hard-wearing than a dress shirt. As polo shirts are knitted, they are also highly breathable, making them even more comfortable to do intense activity in. Again, this piece works as a key element of a summer wardrobe, it being lightweight, soft, and breezy to wear. We stock the Polo Marina in the same dusky blue colour as the Girocollo Lunga. 

If you would like a polo shirt in a slightly different style, take a look at the G.R.P.’s Polo piece. Like its counterpart, the Polo is made in a blue colour though this time is knitted out of cotton. The cotton piece naturally has a more delicate feel, the fibres being so much finer than the linen. The styling of the Polo shirt also differs from the Polo Marinara. The Polo is generally more structured, with tighter knitting at the end of the sleeves and bottom of the piece, meaning the fabric sinches in these areas. The effect is a smarter, more uniform style. The Polo also as three buttons down at the front of the shirt. It is up to you which you prefer.

For a different short-sleeved style, we also stock the Neo Henley in both a mid-tone blue and light grey. This piece is also made from 100% cotton and has a button-down detail. The shirt also has a casual breast pocket made from the fine cotton material. This means that the material rolls down a little, crinkling slightly, adding a new texture to the piece. The Neo Girocollo style is very similar, only there is no button detailing. This piece comes in a deep, chocolate brown colour.

Finally, if you are looking for a piece which makes a little more of a statement, the Girocollo is a crewneck pocket shirt made from a 100% cotton striped material. The delicate deep blue and white stripes run horizontally on the shirt with bands of the deep blue colour at the ends of the sleeves, the bottom of the shirt, and around the neckline. 

Frequently asked questions about G.R.P.

How should I wash my G.R.P. products?

It’s important to always take a look at the care label before you wash any piece of clothing. In the case of G.R.P., the products of theirs that we stock are made from either linen or cotton.

Linen is a brilliant material because it becomes softer and softer after each wash. However, this doesn’t mean you can wash it any way you want. Linen should be washed at low temperatures and you should use a mild detergent to protect its natural fibres. It is possible to tumble dry linen as long as you do so at low temperatures. Also, make sure you remove the clothing before it becomes completely dry and otherwise it will dry stiff. To be safe, we recommend that you air dry your linen clothes on a flat surface for the best results. It’s also not necessary to iron linen most of the time unless it has become very crumpled up. Simply hang your linen pieces instead. 

For cotton, again it is important to wash your pieces on a cooler cycler, 30 degrees or below, as this protects the natural fibres and stops pieces from shrinking. Also, refrain from using fabric softeners on cotton fabric. They can dull the finish and generally wear the fabric out. In terms of drying, cotton does really well being dried in the sun. We could recommend air drying whenever you can and only ever tumble dry on cooler temperatures. If you flatten the fabrics out as you dry them, there shouldn’t be any need to iron them. If you do need to, iron them when they are still partially damp and use steam if you need to. 

It’s important to care for your clothes as best as you can as it promotes the longevity of each piece. As HANSEN is a slow fashion brand, this is particularly important to us. 

What’s the difference between cotton and linen?

There are lots of differences between these fabrics which might have a bearing on which you’d prefer to have against your skin. There are pros and cons for each of them.Linen is famous for its lightness and breathability, making it a wonderful fabric to wear during the summer months. In addition, linen has natural water-wicking qualities, meaning it can draw sweat from the skin and dry faster. Both of these qualities means that it is very comfortable to wear during warm weather. 

Cotton, on the other hand, works brilliantly as an insulating material which can keep you warm. It’s also a very soft material as its flax fibres are so fine, so can be a very comforting fabric. 

In terms of durability, linen wins the race with its rigid fibres. However, this also means that linen is a rougher fabric. This can be a lovely property for creating a fabric which is textured and has added depth to it. If, however, you want a super smooth fabric which is more consistent, cotton is the one you’re after. Linen is also a more environmentally friendly fabric as it uses much fewer resources in the production process and generally lasts much longer. This is an important quality to note now that we’re all becoming so much more aware of our ecological footprints.