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Cashmere V-Necks: J. Crew vs. Saks vs. BR vs. ?

revamp

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Did a search but couldn't find any threads discussing this year's batch of V-neck cashmere sweaters. Color-wise (they have better colors in-store than online), I really like the Saks' in-house label but they're pricey at $200/each (Todd & Duncan yarns FWIW).

Price-wise, J. Crew's offerings seem more reasonable but I noticed some people not liking the quality this year.

Any recommendations on the best value out there? Brooks Brothers? Banana Republic? Etc.

Thoughts appreciated.
 

a-rock

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The sweaters at BR are usually blends - cashmere/silk in the higher-end Monogram line or cashmere/cotton in the regular stuff. Sometimes it's marketed as cashmere blend and it's something like 95% merino/5% cashmere. Also its the same uninspired colors and patterns season after season. Not a big deal if you're just looking for a few basic solids or argyles I guess.

If the quality of JCrew's sweaters puts you off, I wouldn't even bother with BR though. The one thing going for BR is you can always find them on sale for ~30-40 bucks and lately they have been improving their fit (slimmer and higher armholes).

I've only had one BB sweater before and it had flying squirrel arms. JCrew is the sweet spot for me.
 

Robert

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As a recovered BR shopper, I say don't go there. Worse thing about BR is they can look pretty garish.
 

nohomo

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I don't think BR has v-neck cashmeres. Only crewnecks, but they are 100% cashmere, and a lot cheaper than JCrew when you get those 40% coupons.

I'd say BR has improved this season, even compared to the summer. Better cuts on their sweaters and jackets, slimmer shirts (moreso than JCrew) with their slim fit. Material quality is still down compared to several years ago though.
 

justpflo

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I'm a fan of J Crew cashmere V-necks and Uniqlo
smile.gif
, They're comfy.
 

a-rock

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Originally Posted by nohomo
I don't think BR has v-neck cashmeres. Only crewnecks, but they are 100% cashmere, and a lot cheaper than JCrew when you get those 40% coupons.

I'd say BR has improved this season, even compared to the summer. Better cuts on their sweaters and jackets, slimmer shirts (moreso than JCrew) with their slim fit. Material quality is still down compared to several years ago though.


Material quality down? I would have thought the opposite. They are taking a page from jcrew's book and sourcing material from Thomas Mason for their dress shirts. As for their wool, don't really know.
 

nohomo

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Originally Posted by a-rock
Material quality down? I would have thought the opposite. They are taking a page from jcrew's book and sourcing material from Thomas Mason for their dress shirts. As for their wool, don't really know.

I meant from several years ago, i.e. 3-5 yrs ago. BR is definitely improving this year but for awhile they were brutal with quality/fit. I have a silk/cashmere sweater I got a couple years back, much thicker and denser than the current silk/cashmere sweater. But I think their basic wool stuff like car coats and pea coats are better than JCrew this season. Some of the JCrew stuff feels like the scrubbing steel wool that you use to clean pots and pans with.
 

Ctrl+W

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haven't tried saks, but the xs sweaters from j. crew fit me better than br.

in the same price range, you guys should try g-star's sweaters. they do make simple, non-garish pieces there, and i think they fit and look better than j. crew's and br's sweaters. a medium is equivalent to an xs though lol.
 

ennui

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J. Crew cashmere is hit-or-miss. The thinner stuff can be used as layering pieces for some color over a dress shirt. I haven't noticed any pilling. I own two thicker pieces: a black cashmere v-neck from a few seasons ago that I have worn a good amount that has started to pill, and a navy shawl-collar piece from last year that I also have worn a good amount. It's the thickest sweater I own, and it only has minor pilling so far. My wife's J. Crew cashmere cardigians pill easily though.

Fit-wise, only my black one is even somewhat fitted. However, my thinner pieces will only be worn over other shirts, so I don't want them fitted.

For the prices you can get them for on sale, I think J. Crew cashmere has its place. I will wear out my current pieces (except for the one I have on sale in B&S; yellow looks bad on me), but doubt that I will buy any more. I am too lazy to shave fuzz off of my sweaters.
 

revamp

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Hmm.. I guess all the usual suspects have mixed reviews. I've never checked out Club Monaco though before. Will try to stop by one of their locations tonight...

When it comes to cashmere, does "thickness" of the sweater (or "weight" I suppose) mean its a higher-quality garment?
 

jet

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Why do you need cashmere? Just buy a nice wool sweater the yarn will be nicer for wool than any mall brand cashmere will be among cashmeres.
 

RFX45

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Originally Posted by Arms_Akimbo
I like the fit on vince, but that might be a little long for some people. Uniqlo has cashmere too, for $100 a pop.

I love how Vince cashmere sweaters (or any sweaters they make) fit and I wouldn't say they are long at all. Their cashmere sweater seems just about right in length and I am not an overly tall person.
 

deveandepot1

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Originally Posted by jet
Why do you need cashmere? Just buy a nice wool sweater the yarn will be nicer for wool than any mall brand cashmere will be among cashmeres.

+1
 

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