K/r battle of the berry sweaters - YouLookFab Forum

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K/r battle of the berry sweaters

Christina F.

Veteran

I have a Boden sweater in a solid berry color from a couple of years ago. It’s in great shape and I won’t pass it on.

That said, I find myself in possession of two more similar colored sweaters that I’m considering!

1. Boden Claire sweater.
Pros - I love the stitching; different weight than the existing Boden sweater.
Cons - a bit itchy, though not too bad; a heavier knit and I have limited need for heavy sweaters (depends though since some winters are colder than others).

2. Theory cashmere sweater (find works but doesn’t show picture).
Pros- birthday splurge; cashmere looked better on the floor than any other cashmere I’ve ever seen in TJ Maxx, not pilling all over or paper thin; shorter than the Boden sweater I have already so works with different pants.
Cons-who really knows with cashmere whether it will last?; similar in weight to the Boden sweater I have.

I don’t think I ought to keep both - help!

ETA - the first sweater will be returned. I have further thoughts in a comment below about the second sweater.

Bonus- I also found some Western style boots at a TJ Maxx (worn in the first picture just to show them off). Yay pre-birthday splurge!

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Theory Drop Shoulder Cashmere Sweater

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3

Grace Button Sweater

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2

Sam Edelman Ava Western Bootie

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4

Shopping

34 replies

Latest reply was from Cee

Joy

Veteran

Looking forward to your photos. The color is so pretty.

Joy

Veteran

Now I see the photos. Both look great, but I think the cashmere would get the most wear. Nice boots.

Cee

Veteran

No vote from me for the itch factor on the Boden Claire, Christina !! I suppose if you layer a cotton shirt or a skivvy underneath, it'd be more comfortable

JAileen

Veteran

No to itch! Get the cashmere one. Sleeve length looks better, too.

Christina F.

Veteran

So far you all are confirming my feelings

Joy - you make a good point. I have much more need to midweight knits than heavy.

Cee - the itch is not great.... it’s tolerable but enough to make me avoid reaching for the sweater, most likely. I am not likely to want more than a tank top under such a heavy sweater.

JAileen - that is a good point too. There is a reason the model has the sleeves pushed up, I think! Even cuffed as they are, they’re long!

Irina

Veteran

Like the cashmere one more, I think the sleeves on the sweater from Boden are too long. FWIW, I bought two Theory cashmere sweaters last winter, no pilling so far.

smittie

Veteran

Cashmere. It seems to me like the thickness is a good sign.

Cee

Veteran

A thin skivvy or long sleeve tee wouldn't be too heavy.

rachylou

Veteran

I don’t think I’m in love with the high neckline on the cashmere. I like the cable sweater more visually... but the itch and heaviness are factors that sound like they’d sideline that one...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The cashmere drapes beautifully on you and will work under jackets and layers of all kind. Great new boots too!

Kathie

Veteran

I agree with rachy. I love the lines and fit of the Boden, but, the negatives outweigh that. Also, I find lightweight merino and cashmere sweaters to be incredibly useful, so even though the Theory one is similar to your older Boden, I can imagine that you’d get a lot of use from it.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I vote no 2. It looks more refined.

Bonnie

Veteran

I like #1, it fits perfectly.

Kate

Veteran

My vote is for the cashmere. Any itching is a deal breaker for me. This color is incredibly flattering on you.

Gigi

Veteran

I like #1 more visually, simply because it has more detail, but if you don't generally have much need for such a heavy sweater, it will just sit unworn, which is not fun.

It sounds like you will have more opportunity to wear the Theory sweater. But you might want to ask yourself whether you really want two sweaters that are so similar (your old Boden and the Theory). If it were me, I might actually let both of these go, even though they look really good, and try to find something quite different from what I already have.

Katerina

Veteran

I also vote for #2. It looks great on you and the comfort factor is important. Also, the Boden you already have has buttons on the sides, doesn’t it? The cashmere is more neutral in the style.

I like the cable knit as well, especially the design of the knit and how it fits, but the itchiness and the length of the sleeves reinforce my vote for the cashmere.

notsaf

Veteran

I'm with Gigi: I like the textural interest of the first sweater ALOT, but it sounds possible that neither is perfect. Cute boots!

kkards

Veteran

both have great points....love the texture of #1 Boden....love the fluid ease of #2....but i think you answered your own question...
re #1 a bit itchy, though not too bad; a heavier knit and I have limited need for heavy sweaters ...if you have limited need for a heavy sweater, than i'd pass....

Glory

Veteran

This is a wonderful colour for you. I love the texture of 1 but my experience is that even a small amount of itch gets worse throughout the day, particularly if you add a jacket over.

Jane

Veteran

I’m nodding about the itchiness - too irritating. Keep the cashmere. The berry colour is lovely on you.

SarahD8

Veteran

I had similar thoughts as Gigi: of these two, the cashmere seems like the winner. But is it different enough from your existing sweater that it will play a different role in your wardrobe? Maybe it’s a just different enough shade, or maybe the more basic cut will enable it to work in outfits where the existing sweater doesn’t, or maybe in fact you want to deliberately split wears/duplicate a sweater in a color that is essential for you. Worth thinking through.

I wear a LOT of cashmere. Here’s my take on pulling: yes, cashmere pills. But the pills can be removed. Synthetic blends pill too, but in my experience the pills are much “stickier” and harder to remove. Advantage: cashmere, as far as I’m concerned.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Cashmere all the way for me.l cannot stand anything that’s even slightly itchy.

nemosmom

Veteran

I vote #2! The fact you said you don't typically wear thicker/heavier sweaters PLUS the itch would be a deal breaker for me. I also think the plainness of #2 would allow you to pair it with prints and fun scarves.

Christina F.

Veteran

Hi everyone - I am letting the first one go due to the itch factor, either way. It would get worse the longer I wear it.

As for the second one, I think because it’s rather short I’d wear it over different pants than the other Boden sweater, which is longer (tops of thighs) and looks best over skinny jeans. The Theory sweater is something I am more able to semi-tuck, as well; because of the buttons down the side, the Boden one is meant to be untucked.

Another option is to exchange the Theory sweater today for the same one in a very light blue, which they also had... I don’t have a sweater that color at all! I was just rather pulled in by this color, which as some of you note is a good one for me. OTOH, I have black, red and navy sweaters that serve different purposes, so why not berry?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LIKE BOTH

Chunky #1 looks more interesting.

Refined #2 is easier to layer.

Christina F.

Veteran

Angie, I do actually love the first sweater but the age factor might be a bit much for me. I’ve definitely had swears that felt kind of OK with being the day and I want to rip off by the end I do actually love the first sweater but the H factor might be a bit much for me. I’ve definitely had sweaters that felt kind of OK early in the day and I want to rip off by the end. I could layer under it but anything I put on with peek through the I could layer under it but anything I put on would peek through the stitching.

I love the second sweater too, but for different reasons! But for the itch, I could probably be talked into keeping both. :p

LaPed

Veteran

There are lots of chunky sweaters out there! I bet you can find an alternative to #1 that isn't itchy. I like #2 but I bet the light blue option you mention would be very versatile as well. I have a light blue layering sweater that I adore.

The Soft Cotton Crew

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Do NOT keep a sweater that is remotely itchy!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Don't keep if itchy, but wow, that texture on #1 is great and the colour on both is sensational!

Now I need to copycat you.

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