Events

Channel 7 sports reporter and former AFL great, Tim Watson, has found himself in a mini fashion storm following his coverage of a recent Hawks-Bulldogs match at the MCG.

Watson shunned the more familiar black and red of his beloved Bombers and instead sought the cosy warmth and ethical comfort of a red and white ‘Grandpa Scarf’ from local brand, Otto & Spike.

Otto & Spike, a Brunswick-based knitwear label, is accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia and is known for its colourful winter woollies that have a familiar retro aesthetic. The brand also has an environmental bent with a commitment to using remnant and surplus yarn for its ranges.

lthough the folks here at Ethical Clothing Australia thought he looked rather dapper and indisputably well protected from Melbourne’s nippy night air, it seems the wider fashion commentariat, not to mention the general sporting community, weren’t ready for Watson’s bold fashion statement.

A string of scathing critiques littered the weekend papers comparing Watson’s dress sense with an array of other sporting fashion faux pas - mainly originating from the 1970s football scene. Watson’s own flesh and blood turned on him, with his son reportedly Twittering “At least it explains why the tea towels were missing.”

But as the dust settled on Monday morning, more sensible heads prevailed and rallied to Watson’s defence.

Turning to facebook to rally the forces of quality ethical knitwear, the crew at Otto & Spike quickly established the “Friends of Tim Watson’s Grandpa Scarf” fan page and begun devising strategies to snare Watson as an ethical poster boy and a national winter-woolies ambassador.