Cashmere that's worth the investment? - YouLookFab Forum

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Cashmere that's worth the investment?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

My general rule is that I don't wear wool, because I find it so itchy. Over the years I've been given a couple cashmere sweaters that I like when I wear them over other items. But since I'm generally a bargain-oriented shopper, I don't really know where to look for more cashmere. I'm willing to save up for a good brand, but I want to make sure that it will last and is worth the cost. Any recommendations?

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21 replies

Latest reply was from UmmLila (Lisa)

cindysmith

Veteran

I'm interested as well. I've tried several different brands and some were OK, some were not worth the time I spent de-pilling them. The best I ever had was a cashmere hoodie dress from 8 that I got at yoox, and it still got pills (just not horribly so) and I liked it a lot but I tore it beyond repair.

I have got to stop being so abusive to my clothes

Style Fan

Veteran

I have been very fortunate with my knitwear. I rarely have a problem with piling. I have a cashmere cardigan from True Character that is 11 or 12 years old. It is in great condition and has no piling. I also have a cashmere hoodie from Magaschoni that is about 10 years old. Again it is in great condition and has no piling. I have worn these sweaters a lot over the years. They were on the spendy side but definitely worth it.
Last fall I bought a cashmere sweater from Ann Taylor. I have worn it quite a bit. It is very warm and so far I have not seen any piling.
I have a cashmere pullover from Pringles that I bought in England about 8 years ago. No evidence of piling.

Ribbed Cashmere Cardigan

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Isabel

Veteran

I used to LOVE cashmere and would buy 1 to 2 pieces at the big, annual knitwear sale at Bloomingdale's every year. They seemed to last forever and were so soft that I just wanted to cuddle myself ! LOL.

It became a real staple and an essential for me to have a grey, black and navy v neck cashmere sweater.

But over the last 5 years, as I try to replace things, I have found the quality has gone down across many brands. It is SO hard to find a quality cashmere that doesn't pill in 5 mins. So I am very interested in this thread.

My only comment is that if you are going to spend the money, it may help to have something that you won't get bored with and is an essential piece of your wardrobe. I don't bore easily and tended to have the same core pieces year after year, so some of my sweaters lasted 15 years ! No kidding. I did buy an asymmetrical Jolie black cashmere pullover long sweater...it is beautiful but doesn't wear as well as the stuff that I used to get.

I have mostly merino wool now from Smartwool and Icebreaker. They are not as soft but it doesn't bother me and I find it more "rugged" for my lifestyle. Though I would LOVE a couple of v neck cashmere sweaters....

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I love Eileen Fisher and All Saints for cashmere.

binkle

Veteran

Like Style Fan, I have tried Magaschoni - great quality. Several years ago I got a Brooks Brothers cardigan at a good discount, it has never pilled. The same year (2009?) I bought a JCrew hoodie (from the men's line) and it pilled immediately.

julijuli

I have a Nordstrom cashmere sweater that is pretty soft (Halogen brand) but is already pilling after only 1 month!! I also have a Moss sweater from Anthropologie that is really soft and still in great shape after several years. I am super interested in the White + Warren travel wrap after I saw someone wearing one and felt how soft it was! The person who had it said she has owned it for years and the quality was very good.

DonnaF

Veteran

A review I read a year or so ago said that Uniqlo cashmere sweaters were a good value for the money, i.e., not top of the line but not spendy either and much better than Lands End for a comparable price. By the time I got around going to the store, they were sold out. Last winter, I had a moth or silverfish problem, so now I am wary about buying cashmere. Luckily, I live in a mild climate.

ma342

Johnston's of Elgin cashmere (made in Scotland) wears like iron, but is also extremely expensive. I bought two sweaters on deep discount at Sierra Trading Post. I've had them two years and they've barely pilled at all.

Pure Collection, Boden, and Neiman's and Saks house brands have all pilled within a month, though Boden isn't as bad as the others.

Isabel

Veteran

JuliJuli...same here with Nordstrom.

Joy

Veteran

The best cashmere I ever bought was a v neck at a thrift store. I think the label said it was made in Scotland. I lost too much weight for it and gave it to my sister who says she sleeps in it. I've yet to see any cashmere that is comparable.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So tricky to know. As Isabel says, they are changing all the time, and even the same brand varies.

I have a sweater of my husband's that is so old I don't even know its age (it predates our time together) -- and it still has not pilled. I think he got it at Filene's basement. I reason I own it is he put it in the wash and it shrank so much...now it is mine. But it quite heavy weight and too warm for general use.

Anyway. I currently have cashmere from Halogen (pills). Pure Amici (pills). And J. Crew -- some of which pills badly and some which does not pill much at all. I find the Collection items tend to pill less but it is not a universal rule. I read the reviews quite carefully. '

I'm sort of astonished that a person could have a sweater that would not eventually pill under the arms or along the sides a bit (or wherever there is friction) -- but some slight pilling is easily dealt with.

unfrumped

Veteran

I have 2 Talbots Audrey sweaters that seem to be doing ok, and an older Dillard's brand, Prive of something.
But I always feel I just don't know , and also, that a brand may change year to year.
I have not tried any of the very high- end luxury brands. I could see springing for something, but am leery of any kind of " investment " due to changing fits and a bit of moth- respect. If I fell in love though that would be okay.

Not to high jack- any comments on best de- pillers?

I do want to try some upkeep for minor pills at friction points and see which ones respond well.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have read that the colour of the cashmere can make a difference as to whether the sweater will pill or not. All of my sweaters are brown and the oldest are dark brown.

Inge

(website)

Laura, your question made me think of this article I used for a recent Link Love post. Perhaps it can help:
http://www.racked.com/2016/11/.....-expensive

Chris987

Veteran

I have some Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigans that I haven't worn this year but only pill a little bit and seem to be long lasting. Their cashmere is pretty good quality although maybe not quite as high as the UK brands referred to here. I have a few other ones from Halogen and Adrienne Vittadini (a less expensive brand) that pill moderately. I also found that wearing them under a topper or coat that does not have a smooth lining, like a sweater moto jacket, seems to make them pill even more. No surprise I guess, in that case the topper is constantly rubbing on the sweater.

Astrid

Veteran

I also wanted to suggest Johnstons of Elgin, although I think the pricing when you order online from abroad is crazy. I don't have a cashmere sweater though, just scarf (more of a stole really). But I have it constantly since summer 2014 (in the months when it was cold enough of course). Looks still as luxe as it did when I bought it. I also have a Johnstons of Elgin lambswool pullover which still looks good.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Inge, thanks for reposting that link -- super interesting and helpful. I agree about washing -- it softens the fibres and seems to strengthen them also.

Anonymous

Another comment on Isabel's post. There is so much cheap cashmere flooding the market that I am reluctant to buy anything because I can't seem to accurately judge its quality. I sometimes compare what I find in stores to what I have owned for years and the difference in quality really jumps out at you. I have actually questioned whether it was really cashmere at all. The store (J Crew) assured me it was indeed "cashmere." I am still doubtful.

I saw an internet article that spoke to how to evaluate cashmere quality and listed a number of companies that sold better quality cashmere. I saved that article (it is on my home computer though). I'll have to come back later with the link.

Never mind. I see Inge linked to the article.

carambola

Veteran

Ditto what Suz said about Halogen and J Crew. I have had great luck with Garnet Hill.

Beth

Veteran

I have a Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan that has to be at least 15 years old and it's still going strong. My more recent attempts at L&T haven't been as successful. I hear good things about LLBean and Garnet Hill's cashmeres but haven't tried them.

Almost 100% of the cashmere I currently own is from Eric Bompard, ranging from light 2-ply pieces to heavier 6-ply. I've been very happy with how they've worn. A few small pills (if any) in high-friction areas on first or second wear, then no pilling at all. Their prices are fair for the quality, and they do occasionally have sales. One is going on right now, I believe. Their size charts are very accurate, and shipping to the US is not exorbitant.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

My softest, least-pill cashmere sweaters are from Everlane. Don't expect very trendy fit or color though.