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What colors do you like for cashmere sweaters?

TheFoo

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I've been looking into getting a plain, v-neck cashmere sweater, and began pondering the issue of color. As sweaters are soundly outside my regular wardrobe system, I don't have any strong theories about what color to get. My first thought is navy blue, but I like the idea of a light-colored cashmere, as that appears to make the most of the fiber. A light beige or even a cream seem very nice in theory, but I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be wearing such an expanse of a light color (I prefer a classic, not slim, fit). Also, I hate to consider it, but my skin might clash.

Green is out of the question: I intend to wear the sweater casually under my waxed cotton Barbour, which is olive green. As some of you know, I hate purple. Light blue is pretty, but won't work over my OCBDs.

A rust or a dark brown could be nice, but that's getting dark again.

Thoughts?

Oh, and the standard disclaimer applies: I've already decided and, though valued, your opinions will have no effect.
 

itsstillmatt

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You should get lambswool. It looks better, and is 80% less expensive. I'd say wine color, but I am sure you don't care.
 

Montrachet

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I love cashmere sweaters of all colors. I'm wearing a sort of topaz-blue colored cashmere sweater right now. I also have them in dark-red, orange, olive-green, plain blue, purple, black and gray. Fall-Winter is my best sartorial season.
 

tor

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^I find lambswool to be pretty scratchy.
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by iammatt
You should get lambswool. It looks better, and is 80% less expensive. I'd say wine color, but I am sure you don't care.

I'm sympathetic to your position on cashmere, but in this case, I'm largely motivated to capture a specimen of what RJman predicts will soon no longer exist. If I have at least one good cashmere sweater, I'll be ready to move on.

Wine is worth thinking about. I have a burgundy Brooks Brothers cashmere sweater that I like okay, but I am very picky about that color. I like a very deep, dark burgundy--one that has more red and black in it, and less purple. However, the cashmere sweater market in the state that it is, it's nearly impossible to see the stuff in person before purchasing.

Originally Posted by AlanC
Camel or gray

Camel may be the right choice, but I have my concerns. First, it can easily clash with medium grey, and I like to wear a lot of medium grey pants. To work, I think one has to be darker or lighter than the other by a good amount. Second, in my mind, camel is a color that should be reserved for camel hair. I'd feel like an imposter.

Grey wouldn't work for me because of the grey trouser issue.
 

furo

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+1 on itchy lambswool, not to mention it will shrink like crazy if not properly cleaned.

There really isn't a substitute for cashmere if you prefer the soft feel and warmth without the weight and stuffiness that a common sweater normally brings.

I didn't have any good cashmere until a couple months ago, but now I have sweaters in five colors: dark grey (not quite charcoal) v neck, navy blue v neck, hunter green v neck, black cable knit crew neck, and a tan hand knit cable crew neck.
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by oshinex
what brand are you thinking about anyways?

Lockie, Johnstons, a few NOS McGeorge and Murray Allan I've seen around, etc.

Originally Posted by Montrachet
I love cashmere sweaters of all colors. I'm wearing a sort of topaz-blue colored cashmere sweater right now. I also have them in dark-red, orange, olive-green, plain blue, purple, black and gray. Fall-Winter is my best sartorial season.

'Plain blue', as in 'navy'? How's that working out for you?
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by furo
I didn't have any good cashmere until a couple months ago, but now I have sweaters in five colors: dark grey (not quite charcoal) v neck, navy blue v neck, hunter green v neck, black cable knit crew neck, and a tan hand knit cable crew neck.

Which maker did you use? I am strongly favoring Lockie after finding out how much Cable Car wants for their Laing sweaters. Also, they informed me that their owner believes Johnstons is superior to both Laing and Scott & Charters, which he thinks are on par with each other.

On the other hand, everyone seems to think highly of Lockie--including people I've talked to at stores over in the UK.
 

itsstillmatt

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Lockie and Laing are both good in my experience. I still think lambswool looks better.
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by iammatt
I still think lambswool looks better.

Is it the fuzz?
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by iammatt
Cashmere looks too luxurious.

Stefano Ricci luxurious?
 

itsstillmatt

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No, nothing like that. Just too soft looking. The cashmere/silk blends are Stefano Wretched.
 

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