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How to find a quality sweater?

post #1 of 5
11/27/11 at 9:56pm
Thread Starter 
I've started to add more clothing items to my closet and I've been trying to go for more quality than quantity these days. I'd rather have a few well made shirts than cheaply made shirts in every color of the rainbow.

Im now looking for a thick warm cardigan sweater I can wear in the southern winters (GA). A cardigan would allow me to shed layers easily since I get hot very quickly. Ideally I'd like a mock neck cardian with a button front as I'm not a fan of zippers, but those details can be ignored for the larger point here.

I'm not sure what really constitutes a well made quality sweater. While higher quality material is always nice, I can't exactly afford cashmere at least when new. So what material should I look for? I'm trying to keep the price reasonable ~$100, but can go higher. In more expensive cases, I may go hunting for the item on sale in this forum or on ebay, etc. Seems like everything I see has rayon or nylon thrown in. I'm pretty green in this area so vets please elaborate where you can.
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post #2 of 5
11/27/11 at 10:17pm

Are you primarily concerned with how these look or how warm they'll keep you?

 

You may find that a thinner wool (say, merino) sweater keeps you warmer than a thick cotton sweater.

 

Finding a thick wool sweater for under $100 new is going to be hard. Acrylic and nylon look OK but it's just as bad as cotton when it comes to actually keeping you warm.

 

If you're OK with cotton or acrylic, there are plenty of options. I ordered a cable knit cardigan in 100% cotton from lands end canvas for like $30 and it's pretty durable.

 

If you're willing to spend over $100 (but under $300), the wool sweaters from ralph lauren (rugby, polo, or RRL) are nice.

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post #3 of 5
11/27/11 at 10:49pm
Thread Starter 
As Im looking for a sweater for when its really cold, I want something that can keep me very warm. Im talking about jacket replacement warmth, so the sweater would probably have to be thick.

My main issue, or question rather, with acrylic/nylon is whether it will last through years of wear. Am I crazy for thinking quality basic clothing shouldn't cost $300?
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post #4 of 5
11/27/11 at 11:03pm

Nothing made of acrylic or nylon is going to be a suitable jacket replacement. You must go wool, ideally in a fairly tight weave.

 

You're looking for the $150-200 range I'd say. You might be able to find something for under $150 if you try some of the mall brands (jcrew or express). Given all the sales this week you might even be able to get something down to $100.

 

A good quality sweater should last for a decade or more and would be well worth $300. That would be considered a bargain for a good quality blazer, so I don't see why it's unreasonable for a nice sweater.

 

Alternatively, learn to knit.

 

 

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post #5 of 5
11/28/11 at 12:46am
Hi mate, Just pick one up from RL . They have many colours , fits and materials ( prima cotton, lamb/ merino wool, cashmere etc. ).
I have few and so far happy with products.
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