My First Pure Cashmere Sweater

Up until recently I did not know the value of cashmere, especially given my background living in the west and southwest. There's no need to layer.

Today, for the first time, I donned a pure handmade cashmere RLPL cableknit crewneck.

Wow.

At first I thought it wasn't going to fit right, and the shoulders were hanging off, allowing the seams to droop slightly from my shoulder

I was also a bit peeved by the length in the sleeve; I get annoyed when sleeves keep falling down around my wrists, covering half my palms.

But .... within oh .... two hours maybe .... I was in heaven. It was as if the sweater took a new life, and molded to my build ... perfectly. Can't explain it. The seams on the shoulders now sit perfect. The sleeves don't fall down either. They sit right where I want them, with ever so slight a shirt cuff showing.

Amazing how much I already enjoy this purchase!

One question: I notice tremendous "fuzzies" left on my dress shirt ... everywhere. I didn't have that problem with my other cashmere sweater, which is not a cable knit, and, of course, is no RLPL. Is this common? Will it go away, or am I going to have to suck it up and grind the lint brush every week?

Pure handmade cashmere. Worth EVERY penny. And then some.

I know how you feel. This is how I felt when I first bought a Marmot down parka. You can go out in the dead of winter in just a t-shirt and the parka. I'm still amazed.

I became a cashmere addict when I realized a quality cashmere sweater and scarf were key to keeping toasty in freezing temperatures. The top tier stuff is truly worth every penny.

i really love my polo blue label made in china sweater. it's a little expensive but can be had for less on the bay. cucinelli is great but out of my price range.

I feel you OP. Once you feel and wear qualify cashmere, you cant go back to the "cheap" stuff. My 1st nice cashmere sweater was a RLPL v neck. I actually found it at TJ Maxx on clearance for $59. Now i have a few RLPL cashmere sweaters, as well as MALO, and cucinelli.

How do the blue label made cable knit cashmere compare with the purple label cable knit cashmere?

Both are made in china with Italian yarn.

^not totally true.

My RLPL cashmere sweaters were made in Italy.

Originally Posted by furo

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One question: I notice tremendous "fuzzies" left on my dress shirt ... everywhere. I didn't have that problem with my other cashmere sweater, which is not a cable knit, and, of course, is no RLPL. Is this common? Will it go away, or am I going to have to suck it up and grind the lint brush every week?


Thats NOT supposed to happen with a quality cashmere item. maybe some wovens (scarves) you might get here and there an errant tuft but on a woven? Never seen it with quality cashmere (which is not qualified by simply being soft).

Enjoy the sweater though.

Dear Penthouse.

Originally Posted by justsayno

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How do the blue label made cable knit cashmere compare with the purple label cable knit cashmere?

Both are made in china with Italian yarn.

Funny you mention that....

I walked into an RL Retail Store today to pick up some spare buttons for a sportcoat I needed.

I happened to be wearing the very crewneck cable knit I mentioned in my first post here. So .. I look up on the shelves behind the SA and see a ton of folded up cashmere cable knits.

And I say "hey, those look just like the one I have!"

And immediately the SA said, "Nope. Not those up there. Those are Blue Label. The one you're wearing .... that's Black Label or Purple Label .... errr.... no. That is definitely Purple Label, right?"

I sat there sort of stunned for a second or two.... "Huh? You know I'm wearing Purple Label just like that?"

"Yep. Even if you were just walking down the street I'd be able to tell. The pattern and neck is unmistakable. Plush, thick cables that are a signature of the Purple Label sweaters."

I just looked at her amazed for a few more seconds ... said thanks ... and went on my way.

Originally Posted by The Contrarian

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Thats NOT supposed to happen with a quality cashmere item. maybe some wovens (scarves) you might get here and there an errant tuft but on a woven? Never seen it with quality cashmere (which is not qualified by simply being soft).

Enjoy the sweater though.

Interesting. My wife has a few RLBL cashmere cable knits as well... she says the same thing happens to her undershirts too...

Maybe it's because these aren't current season? Shelf-life issues perhaps?

Originally Posted by furo

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Funny you mention that....

I walked into an RL Retail Store today to pick up some spare buttons for a sportcoat I needed.

I happened to be wearing the very crewneck cable knit I mentioned in my first post here. So .. I look up on the shelves behind the SA and see a ton of folded up cashmere cable knits.

And I say "hey, those look just like the one I have!"

And immediately the SA said, "Nope. Not those up there. Those are Blue Label. The one you're wearing .... that's Black Label or Purple Label .... errr.... no. That is definitely Purple Label, right?"

I sat there sort of stunned for a second or two.... "Huh? You know I'm wearing Purple Label just like that?"

"Yep. Even if you were just walking down the street I'd be able to tell. The pattern and neck is unmistakable. Plush, thick cables that are a signature of the Purple Label sweaters."

I just looked at her amazed for a few more seconds ... said thanks ... and went on my way.

Ummm...She works in a Ralph Lauren store. Do you expect that little from Sales associates that they shouldnt be able to recognize the SIGNATURE features in thier own product? Is this really that amazing a feat?

Sigh.

I would be more impressed if the SA was blindfolded and could differentiate the sweaters by touch

Originally Posted by The Contrarian

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Ummm...She works in a Ralph Lauren store. Do you expect that little from Sales associates that they shouldnt be able to recognize the SIGNATURE features in thier own product? Is this really that amazing a feat?

Sigh.

Originally Posted by The Contrarian

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Do you expect that little from Sales associates

Generally, yes.