STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

lynnie · Chanel

cashmere sweaters for less? gap?

relrel · Marc Jacobs

does gap have the cashmere in the store? i would defintetly check out the feel of it first before buying. plus, it looks like it runs short. i personally can't stand it when a sweater im wearing only hits at my waist/high hip. i want the sweater to be long and slouchy and big. i assume that you do as well because you said you were looking for slouchy and longer too. the jcrew cashmere is really soft but everything there just seems so over priced. i do love jcrew though. the fit is always fantastic and the colors are really nice. i would suggest the same thing that i did to my boyfriend. if you are going to buy cashmere buy nice cashmere, if you are going to be spending the money you might as well do it wisely. and buy the brighter colors in cashmere, the colors that you know you will still want to wear three years from now. don't waste the money on gap cashmere, i would question it's quality and its durablity, and gap colors aren't always the best. (this goes for all other less expensive brands...old navy cashmere, even target). so, yes, buy the jcrew but buy the colors that you really really really like and can wear with lots of stuff in your closet. i like the vnecks better than the crews too. it's so much easier to layer a vneck, have a little lace cami peeking out of the top. maybe put it on your christmas list?

honey · Gucci

macy's usually has good prices on cashmere and with their coupons & sales you can get an awesome deal. the only problem with the store brand is it has a funny fit, it tends to be kind of boxy, so it might swallow you. you might try looking at other brands that macy's carries (bcbg comes) that make cashmere sweaters.

my favorite cashmere sweater came from arden b. it's so soft and cozy (i'm wearing it right now) and it was only $50. so you might check there, though i haven't seen any cashmere in their stores lately.

also try theory. i have no experience with their cashmere, but the sample sale starts the week of the 5th, and they almost always have cashmere. the sale info can be found at www.clothingline.com they haven't sent out the email yet, but sign up for the list, and sometime soon they'll send out the email. i'm almost certain it will be under $100 for sweaters.

halleybird · Hermes

could you try bluefly maybe? I know some of the girls here have gotten cashmere from them before. I think they run slightly big, too, which might help with the slouchy look.

Escrime · Kate Spade

If you have a Polo outlet nearby, all their sweaters are 30% off, including their cashmere ones. I picked up a few at about $90 each.

honey · Gucci

when i was in target they had some isaace mizrahi ones that were very soft, though they might pill really easily. they were around $35.

rosey · Dooney & Bourke

I have that first Gap sweater and it's pretty soft (not quite as soft as some other more expensive brands, but, overalll, a good value for the price). I've only worn it once and haven't had it cleaned yet, but so far, there's no major piling. Also, as far as fit goes, I found it to be pretty average to a little big. HTH!

Lilykind · Hermes

I don't know how hard it would be for you to get to Neimans, but if you could wait until their Last Call (or First Call or whatever it is...), you can get good deals on loads of cashmere. That's where I got my Vince sweater for $68.

wicked · Coach

If you can wait a month I would check out the after x-mas sales at the online boutiques. Places like shop bop had cashmere sweaters at 50% off last year. Bluefly is good too.

MissMee · Kate Spade

I just saw some online by George at Walmart.com! Don't know how good the cashmere would be, but the price is right!

lynnie · Chanel

thanks girls! i'm gonna get some silk/cashmere from VS (and a 100% cashmere cardigan- hope it doesn't suck!), and go to H & M and look around for some cheap slouchy sweaters in natural blends. Maybe get a J. Crew one later- do they ever go on sale? Girls- keep your eyes out for me- let me know when the neimans sale and all the online sites start marking down their sweaters!! i think i'm just gonna wait and then buy 2 or 3 nice ones on sale.

blink · Coach

you probably already know this but I think the price has to do with 2 ply vs. 1 ply. 2 ply is softer and more expensive, and is rarely under $100.