STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

laken1 · Hermes

Cashmere pros -beginner questions

rocky · Coach

Well I just started building my cashmere collection last fall. I live in San Diego, where the weather is pretty mild in winter too, and the sweaters I bought were not too hot. I think you should be able to find lightweight ones. I think there is definitely a difference in cashmere grades, but I am not sure what to specifically look for. I just go by the feel. And I just dry clean them at a reputable cleaners. As for brands, I have one by generra that I love. I also like inhabit and vince. HTH!

bean · Kenneth Cole

laken1 wrote:

here are my questions: *is cashmere really hot? I am hot natured & live in Texas, so it's not like i need a heavy, warm sweater very often - it seems that it would be thin & relatively light, but just asking *How can I tell if it's a "good" cashmere sweater? What is good? How can i obtain the good ones for cheaper? I guess this started from an email I got from bluefly about their 50% sweater sale, but I truly don't know what to look for. How much is too much to pay? Why are some cashmere sweaters $400 & some are $80??? *brands that are fool proof? so maybe I can start stalking ebay? *how to care for them / store them / keep them from pilling - I bought an $88 one last year after season for about $25 & it pilled immediately, so I don't even count that as a "cashmere" sweater, since it was obviously cheap. Glad I didn't pay $88 for it. Do even the more expensive ones pill easily? Advice for a novice?

cashmere is warm but it's nice and light, unlike bulky wool. it should be perfect for cool weather where you are.

the poorer the quality, the itchier and spongier it feels.

with all the sales & deals available, I probably wouldn't spend more than $170 (at the most) for a cashmere sweater. You can find nice cashmere for under $120.

not sure how to keep them from pilling... but you could get a clothes shaver to shave off pills.

I handwash mine with Woolite. swish them around, squeeze them to get the suds through, then rinse them out. (don't let them sit in the water for more than 5-10 minutes) then I roll them up in a thick towel, place the towl on the floor and step all over the towel to squeeze excess moisture into the towel. then I lay it flat on another dry towel to dry.

good brands: Autumn Cashmere, Vince... not sure what else.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

take this with a grain of salt, but i have a TON of bcbg cashmere, and they usually go 50% around thanksgiving.

i also like vince, and some random brands that i've found on sale at like off 5th, and other discount places that just felt really good, and were a good price. check out bluefly too.

i did buy one at express last year and wasn't really impressed, but it could have just been me. HTH!

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

my cashmere sweaters are either vince or laundry, and i'm really happy with them. also, i know this is a long way off but i got most of mine at neiman's first or last call--so i'd wait until then if you can.

ETA: actually last call's going on currently but i don't think there's many sweaters right now, wait until the next one if you can. hth!

-- Edited by esquiress at 20:40, 2005-07-19

mikacat · Coach

I have about 25 cashmere sweaters, I can tell you what is a good brand and not a good brand from my collection.

Banana republic--awful quality in the lighter colors--2 ply-- thin and pulls. I have three sweaters that I know use these to clean the house in now or sleep in (in the winter). However I do have one black cardigan that has held up well.

Lilly Pulitzer---this cashmere sweater is like butter $400 but I got it at a 75% off sale for $100.

JCrew and Lands End (probably my favorites---(their black turtleneck cashmere sweater is to die for)--good quality -- made at the Loro Piano mill

Loro Piano--good brand 4 ply and higher

Polo regular label--okay--thin but holds up pretty well. no picking or pulling.

Mariele Waithe/Forte--8 ply but not a good quality. super thick, but picks and pulls.

Kirklands--Costco brand--i have a light blue cardigan set from there---okay quality--would not buy again -- my husbands black crew neck cashmere sweater has held up great from there though.

I have about 6 others that must be random brands---can't think of names off the top of my head.

Real Simple had a great article about cashmere last year--i will see if we still have it.

My husband likes JCrew and POlo best for men's sweaters. He had good luck with Costco as well.

-- Edited by mikacat at 12:35, 2005-07-20

Lilykind · Hermes

I have cashmere sweaters from Vince, BCBG, and TSE. Also, I own an vintage 50s one I found at a flea market.

I LOVE the TSE sweater I have that's a hand-me-down from a friend...it hasn't pilled at all, nor has the shape changed, and it always keeps me so warm. I know that it's really expensive new though and I haven't liked the shapes I've seen recently to spring the money on those sweaters.

The Vince one was a great deal at Neiman's First Call last November ($68) and it's held up nicely...pilling has happened but it's minor and nothing I can't handle getting rid of myself.

The BCBG one is okay...but it's from a few years ago so I don't know what it's like now.

The vintage cardi is a bit musty, but the cashmere is so soft and plush...it's from the 50s and I've had virtually no problems with pilling. I paid $25 for it and it may be the best $25 I've ever spent.

laken1 · Hermes

Thank you girls so much - that definately gives me a great starting place - I need to take notes on it!!!

Any thoughts on Mossimo brand? There are a couple on ebay right now I could get pretty cheap (well, maybe)

Mikacat, I'd love to see that Real Simple article if you can find it or tell me which issue it was in - maybe I can find an old one on ebay. I took notes on a tshirt article in there - it was SO GREAT. I just hate to spend lots of $$ on either of these things (tshirts or cashmere) only to find out I've gotten caught up in hype or brand, etc . Sometimes it's worth, sometimes not I guess.

Thanks for the Last Call / Off Saks tip - i don't go there very often (at same mall here in Dallas) but that's the kind of bargain hints I need! I can wait until the spring even - just look over the next several seasons.

Lilykind - i'm green with envy on the vintage find - I just love it when that happens (which is usually NEVER!!)

mikacat · Coach

Laken-

i will look for the real simple article. It had all kinds of tips about plys and colors and weaves, etc. It also compared different brands.

I know i tore it out and put it on my hubby's desk cause it was so great. I could always photocopy it and mail it to you or fax it to you.

I am leaving to go on vacation for 10 days cause it is our anniversary, my niece was born today, I am still at work trying to get ahead, I have a nail appt tonight at 7:30, i have to pack ebay crap tonight to mail before our vacation and i am trying to pack and get out of the house. My husband is wonderful but I swear he doesn't do anything to get us ready for a trip. He packs himself and that is it!! No towels, food, cooler, sheets, pillow, books or anything else. I love him desparately though so that doesn't seem that bad. I will try and remember to look tonight but if not, IM me in a week and a half and I will look for it for sure.

berryahou35 · Dooney & Bourke

hm.. I got a cashmere sweater from Marshall in March, so it was very deeply discounted. I'm really tempted to sell it on ebay but then I want to wear it... (I'll probably sell it..)