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Colorful basics that don't wear out? Before all the color sells out?

rae

(website)

Veteran

I have worn my citron Pim & Larkin cashmere pullover SOOO much this season, but it's only been Dryeled, and it's already pilling all over!

I happily wore my Ann Taylor citron blouse again and again, and it ended up with snags and visible wear after about a year.

Citron is one of my signature colors and just about works as a neutral for me these days - I consider the color well-road-tested and I would not mind getting things that will stay with me more than a season or two.

Can anyone recommend a company or even specific product that makes colorful basics like this that LAST? I don't have all that much experience tracking wear of brand-new items, so I'm not sure which companies to trust... since a season of black is coming, I thought I should look now.

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20 replies

Latest reply was from cheryle (Dianthus)

Raisin

Veteran

For colorful cashmere sweaters I always thought this brand looked really nice, though I haven't tried them myself yet, so I don't know how well they hold up.....Autumn Cashmere

http://www.revolveclothing.com.....shmere.jsp

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catgirl

Veteran

Rae, the same thing has happened to my citron sweater. I am having the same panic over the color changes I've seen so will be watching this thread!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think sweaters, and knits in general, just don't hold up all that long The cheap ones have the added annoyance of twisting along the seams a bit more with each wash, too. boo.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, I don't know how well it will hold up but I found this lovely http://www.intermixonline.com/.....038;cid=LS
And then this in xs only left http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....#038;ap=14

Tina.b

Veteran

One of the problems with knits nowadays is that they are so thin that wear seems inevitable. I really like basics by Vince as they stand up fairly well overall. Recently I've been quite happy with the cashmere from J. Crew, it has improved significantly in quality compared to 2-3 years ago.

I do send all the cashmere sweaters for dry cleaning, and they always de-pill them there. My dry cleaner is awesome!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Mo and Tina! I didn't know that the cleaners could de-pill.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

We can't have you "citron-deficient" unless our local health food stores have a "vitamin" for that! I wish I could help you here, Rae, because you helped me with the Dryel product in the first place. Hope you find the citron resources you're looking for!

Tina.b

Veteran

After I read this, I started thinking that I need some citron too (how easily enabled am I?). But I went on a search and also saw a few items I think would look great on you. Not sure I'm exactly right on the shade, but there are lots of options. Another brand that came to mind is Splendid. I have some really bright Ts from them that I love.

http://www.shopbop.com/silk-te.....orId=12952

http://www.shopbop.com/heather.....orId=28909

http://www.shopbop.com/classic.....orId=48766

http://www.shopbop.com/side-sl.....orId=12952

Thistle

Veteran

I think cashmere just has a nasty tendency to pill! I feel your pain there as I tend to hand wash mine, and I still need to find a good de-piller.

I sort of feel like knits just don't last long. Have you looked for a nice woven button down in citron?

Marley

Veteran

Just want to add that "you're right Rae - citron *is* you signature color and you must stock up on all things citron!" Like I told you several weeks ago, I'm envious that you have a signature color, and I'm "working" on establishing my own - I leaning towards pink, but not for sure!

Raisin

Veteran

http://www.eluxe.ca/en/autumn-.....SLZhXy9KK0

A replacement for your citron sweater? Also autumn cashmere.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, I really love that Vince side slit tee! Must snoop around and see if I can find my size... Thanks!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have one Vince sweater that was almost $400 and it pilled up really fast. It was a cashmere blend. I have a couple of tees and a silk top from Vince, the jury's still out on this brand for me. I love the design, but that cashmere blend sweater was a big disappointment.

I had a cashmere sweater from 10 years ago from a brand called Islii, I wore it all the time and year after year and it never pilled. I passed it on to my niece. I think they went out of business.

I got a J Crew cashmere sweater for Christmas and so far so good.

For tees, I like Velvet and a brand called Feel the Piece. Also -- Gap Pure! Yes their stuff is good quality. I also like other brands like Splendid and Daftbird. Joie Soft -- huge disappointment. I used to love Three Dots but not so much over the past two years, their design isn't what it used to be.

I've heard good things about Uniqlo cashmere.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Of course now I will look out for anything citron I can find and I'll PM you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have no suggestions, Rae, but agree you MUST stock up on citron! And also, as far as I can tell, price point is no barrier to pilling on knits! Sometimes the priciest ones pill just as badly as the cheap ones. And other times, you are pleasantly surprised. In my experience the older stuff is usually better than what we are getting these days. I have a cashmere sweater of my husband's from probably 30 years ago (yes!) and it is STILL in fantastic shape.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, thanks for all the reviews, Denise! I had heard mixed reviews about Pure. I need to put a list of good and bad brands into my phone for when I'm out and about.

For anyone else who may be following this thread, I remembered that Scottish cashmere wears like IRON. When I find it out at the flea markets, it can be from the 60s or 70s and still look spanking new. Only I have no idea how to search for items by country of fabric manufacture, so not sure how much that helps.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I have no specific suggestions re: citron and colours - but wanted to sort of "second" what others have said about Splendid and Velvet. I recently ordered a Velvet brand sweater and a Splendid blouse from Amazon, and I'm impressed with the quality of these two brands. And this was in the midst of ordering a whole bunch of stuff all at once, and with me ending up returning several items. The Splendid blouse I ordered and the Velvet brand sweater were standouts - nicely made. I was lucky enough to get these items on sale, but now that I've tried them, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more of these two brands.

I got this blouse/shirt in iris (pic #1):

http://www.amazon.com/Splendid.....38;sr=1-29

And this Velvet brand sweater in charcoal grey (pic #2):

http://www.amazon.com/Velvet-W.....t+sweaters

Nothing to do with citron in particular (sorry for veering off topic), but these are very casual wardrobe items that turned out to be quite nicely made (especially for the sale prices I got).

So, if you *do* come across something citron made by Splendid or Velvet, I'd recommend these brands - as others have mentioned. Much better than expected. Stalk the sales - and if you see something you like - give them a whirl. I think these brands are better than average.

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Adelfa

Veteran

I agree with Suz that the old stuff is better. I have cashmere 20 years old without a pill. J Crew used to not pill. Also, I buy men's cashmere (on clearance from Macy's) for lounge wear and they have never pilled on me though I put hard wear on them.

I have gotten very assertive about returning cashmere that pills after a year or less. I say that I do not pay cashmere prices to get one season's wear out of the item.

So that's my half answer--keep your receipt, and do not settle for shoddy quality.

The other half--where to get pretty colors that wear well--I wish I knew. New cashmere scares me. But if you see something you like on the men's side, try that.

Anonymous

My most durable knitwear is 100% merino wool. I've had worse luck with cashmere and blends. In my opinion J. Crew has the best quality, although I do agree that its not quite as good as it used to be. I have a couple sweaters from there that are going on 6 years old and show virtually no wear.

I also have found a sweater comb to be invaluable in removing pills.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I just read this and if you are looking for a slouchy pant in your color, this might fit the bill. The canvas line is a smaller fit so you shouldn't be sized out of it.

http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/.....59_-1.html