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Gap cashmere quality?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am looking at this cashmere sweaters at Gap. I like the relaxed fit, the wide welt on the bottom and some colors really call my name (in particular navy, fuchsia and plum).

I have looked and lord & Taylor cashmere sweaters at The Bay but was not impressed with the cut of them: somehow they felt really frumpy on me. I have not tried the Gap ones yet so they may not work as well...

Has anybody seen these Gap cashmere sweaters IRL? Does anybody know about Gap cashmere quality? Are they worth a try?

Thanks a lot!

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Anonymous

I have been wondering also! They've changed the fit on some of their Eversoft ones -- I got some yesterday and they are all going back. Too boxy and blah. But these ones with the bottom welt might do the trick.

Joefresh.ca has some cashmere sweaters too. They don't have them at my superstore but I might try ordering one online to see what it is like.

ironkurtin

Veteran

My experience has not been positive. At that price point I think you can't expect good cashmere. Ditto for Uniqlo. It's disposable luxury.

Gaylene

Veteran

Personally, at that price point, I'd rather buy a merino or lambswool sweater because I'd say that the odds of buying a decent cashmere sweater that keeps its shape and doesn't pill is pretty remote. Inexpensive cashmere is usually a one season proposition because it gets pretty pilly and stretched out after half a dozen wears--probably good for lounge wear, but not much else.

If you are interested in a cashmere sweater, maybe try on a good quality cashmere sweater from a reputable company (Theory, Bompard, Brora, etc.) to have something to use as a benchmark to help you judge what you get at different price points. Or, if you are interested in a relaxed fit, check out the cashmere in a good men's shop; I've seen beautiful men's cashmere sweaters that cost significantly less than the similar versions hanging next door in the woman's section.

Greyscale

Veteran

My cashmere Gap sweater is a few years old. It's held up well (no pilling) but it feels rougher and scratchier than just merino from better companies. I don't mind that but it's definitely not what you dream of cashmere being.

I haven't seen this year's options but if you want great cashmere I'd look elsewhere.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I don't want to hijack, but what about cashmere from Ann Taylor? Is theirs quality decent? The original price is $170 though I didn't pay that.

Anonymous

Gaylene -- what wonderful advice. I will try the men's shop. Do you have any you might suggest?

Jules

Veteran

None of my knits from Joe Fresh have worn well, from acrylic to cashmere. I machine wash though!

Anonymous

Good to know!

sarah

Veteran

Brenda - I have 3 cashmere sweaters from AT (all bought on sale). Last year's was wonderfully soft and has held up well. This years' are not so soft. So far, no pilling however. But the ones from this year don't seem to be quite so "robust" as last year's. I'm worried they won't hold their shape as well.

I also am thinking that merino might be the way to go at these price points. I bought a merino wool sweater from Nordstrom's that is so thick and wonderful and holds it's shape so well, that I may be heading in that direction in the future.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'd look at the men's side of Club Monaco and J Crew because they usually cut for a younger, slimmer male. The sales rack on the men's side often has a good selection of S and XS because those sizes don't sell as fast.

Brooks Brothers is another possibility and they often have good sales. I've also seen gorgeous Scottish cashmere from Burberry Brit and the like in smaller sizes on the sales racks in Holt Renfrew and Harry Rosen (a high-end men's store in Toronto). If I was in the States, I'd look at Nordstrom, Barney's, and the like, especially after Christmas.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the advice, ladies.
Gaylene, the only problem with men sweaters is that I have hips and men sweaters are not cut for those!:-(
Although it is worth a try anyway if I am after a shorter welted style.
I am not set on cashmere as much as on the right color, fit and overall good quality so merino and lambswool is a good option too, I just need to know where to find them.
The problem is Canadian shopping I guess: not that many options with free shipping and returns. Brooks Brothers shipping to Canada is outrageously expensive and returns are even more so. I know there are some stores in Canada bt not in my city.
Club Monaco may be a good option: we have one store here, I can check it out.
I have never bought anything from JCrew yet so I am afraid to do it online. I tried their stuff on in Baltimore and had a feeling they are cut too small for me, the cut was not fluid enough. Men stuff may work though...
However I am not shopping until the New Year, right?

karymk

Veteran

JCrew cashmere is great. I buy it year after year and it's dependable. K

Gaylene

Veteran

Sveta, I wouldn't hesitate to order from J Crew (well, maybe, I ought to hesitate given the number of items I've purchased from them online this year...)

The shipping is a set $9.95, although J Crew often waives the charge during a promotion, and J Crew doesn't impose any charges for duties when they ship to Canada. Order from the Canadian website and the only extra cost will be the flat shipping rate (unless it is waived due to the promotion) and the US/Canadian exchange rate. Returns are never a problem and the reimbursement is usually within a week or two. The site is always having promotions; if you want to try them out, send me a PM and I'll give you a code for 25% off that is good until the end of January. In addition, quite a few of the items online go up to sizes 14 and 16, talls included. And the sales section can offer some good prices that still qualify for the discount.

Beth

Veteran

My AT cashmere from several years ago has worn well, but the newer pieces don't seem as good. I agree that the cut on Lord & Taylor cashmere feels terribly frumpy.

I'll admit to loving the Bompard cashmere I bought last month, although it's far too soon to tell how it'll wear. They're having a 20% sale on some of their basic pieces right now.

I've also heard good things about Boden cashmere. I have a cardi on the way right now and will be interested to see how it feels.

Anybody know the quality of Pure cashmere?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Don't buy Qi. I bought a hoodie from a sample sale site, it has developed holes in random places from the yarn breaking, not moths.

K. Period.

Veteran

I agree that AT cashmere from a decade ago was really lovely, but that more recent stuff is not as nice. I have given up on most of their sweaters. They seem to be marking up to mark down by 40% a lot of the time anymore. Frustrating.

I can say that the JCrew cashmere I have bought is very nice, as is most of their merino. I have a couple of merino sweaters now from Club Monaco and can say unequivocally that their merino is lovely. Soft and not scratchy. The pink sweater in my WIW today is Club Monaco.

I haven't tried on the Gap sweaters lately, but I think their cashmere is okay. It isn't super soft and it isn't going to last you forever. I agree that a better quality merino from elsewhere is probably better value.

Sarah A

Veteran

You've got great info here, just wanted to add that i've used the shoprunner service for free shipping and free returns for brooks bros (and the 3 month shoprunner trial was free, which i thereafter cancelled without trouble). I am not sure if shoprunner does business in Canada but i believe they are held by a Chinese company so perhaps they do multinational business.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all for your help!
Gaylene, I have placed my first order with jCrew this morning - not cashmere but merino sweaters. They have 30% now and some colors for tippi nerino is $60 before the discount!
Fingers crossed they fit...

Anonymous

What size did you order? I have been looking on J. Crew also, but don't know how the sizing is.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I consulted with Inge and ordered XL. L should work for you for sure but maybe M in more relaxed fit. Remember that CM thistle sweater? L was too snug for me and I think M workd for you...

Anonymous

Thanks, Sveta. That is what I was thinking. The thistle sweater in a M is quite fitted on me, so a L should have the shape I want.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Good luck! Some colors on merino tippi sweaters are on a very good sale today + 30% off on top. They also do not charge duties which is a nice bonus

Lisa

Veteran

I've had great success with JCrew cashmere but I have not tried Gap. Jcrew wool sweaters are rather soft too.