Cashmere Sweater Hierarchy

[PairOfDerby's]

Hi all , after the bit of disappointment with Berk this week I am looking to possibly buy a john laing crewneck , does anyone know of any stockists? I did email them last week but they could not be arsed emailing me back...

I sent you a DM on this.

 

[HotDilf]

Every year LV releases a handful of these: 2 ply/18 gauge, saddle shoulders, Scottish turn-cuffs.

 

[SconesnOolong]

Every year LV releases a handful of these: 2 ply/18 gauge, saddle shoulders, Scottish turn-cuffs.

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Oh wow! if you don’t mind me asking, how much was it?
Also, does the 20% vicuña feel significantly different compared to pure cashmere? I assume LV would source from LP, same parent company after all, what made you choose a vicuña blend from LV as opposed to LP?

I’ve only ever bought pure cashmere or pure vicuña, i’m curious to see if blends are worth it.

 

[DorianGreen]

Oh wow! if you don’t mind me asking, how much was it?
Also, does the 20% vicuña feel significantly different compared to pure cashmere? I assume LV would source from LP, same parent company after all, what made you choose a vicuña blend from LV as opposed to LP?

I’ve only ever bought pure cashmere or pure vicuña, i’m curious to see if blends are worth it.

My same reflections: why add 20% vicuna? I understand that adding some wool or silk would low the material costs and possibly increase strength and durability, but what's the purpose of adding a more precious fibre, other than make the garment even more expensive, whith probably no relevant difference in term of feeling.

I also would ever choose pure cashmere and pure vicuna.

By the way, Archibald of London has this one reduced from €3.516 to €2.130.

https://www.archibaldlondon.com/de/...our=natural-brown-vicuna&casualjackets-size=m

 

[Scuppers]

I know they are all reputable. I’m asking for actual knowledge/experience comparing their quality. Put looks and style aside.

I have a dozen or so cashmere sweaters from Lockie, Laing, Johnstons, and Hawick. I’ve heard it said that Begg is the “best” of the current Scottish cashmere makers, but believe Scott & Charters (whom they own) makes all their stuff.

In general, Cucinelli seems to fit me the best, but the prices can be eye watering. Also, they almost never do a saddle shoulder. Loro Piana tends to fit less well—everything seems to be cut with a blousy torso to accommodate fat old guys.

Lmao!

Foo, old world Johnstone’s is a world of its own. Yet a forgotten world.

As you wife is a Chanel fan it is coincidental that Barrie (Chanel owned and supplier), is one of the finest contributors to male cashmere as is BC.
Given nearly most of my casual cashmere is BC, the special pieces are from Barrie.
Lockie is great, too, but it is a different category.

 

[Scuppers]

My same reflections: why add 20% vicuna? I understand that adding some wool or silk would low the material costs and possibly increase strength and durability, but what's the purpose of adding a more precious fibre, other than make the garment even more expensive, whith probably no relevant difference in term of feeling.

I also would ever choose pure cashmere and pure vicuna.

By the way, Archibald of London has this one reduced from €3.516 to €2.130.

View attachment 2136557

https://www.archibaldlondon.com/de/...our=natural-brown-vicuna&casualjackets-size=m

We live in a luxury world, i didn’t buy a Bentley to get the same utility from a Mini….

 

[elysiumfield]

I can't say about LV's offering, nor a knitted blend, but in a weaved fabric the hand feeling is significantly improved by adding 20% vicuna to cashmere. So much so that I think 80% cashmere + 20% vicuna is the sweet spot considering price vs what you get. The addition of vicuna makes the fabric much more smooth. Going 100% is of course nice for purist and if you have the money. What I don't understand is when factories blending in say only 2% vicuna.

 

[DorianGreen]

We live in a luxury world, i didn’t buy a Bentley to get the same utility from a Mini….

Sorry, don't understand, would you like to elaborate?

My thought is that it's pretty senseless to add some vicuna to cashmere, as the latter is already a luxury material with very high prices. So, adding vicuna will be just a commercial move to increase the price, but at this point I would go for pure vicuna, given I can afford it.

 

[DorianGreen]

I can't say about LV's offering, nor a knitted blend, but in a weaved fabric the hand feeling is significantly improved by adding 20% vicuna to cashmere. So much so that I think 80% cashmere + 20% vicuna is the sweet spot considering price vs what you get. The addition of vicuna makes the fabric much more smooth. Going 100% is of course nice for purist and if you have the money. What I don't understand is when factories blending in say only 2% vicuna.

Haven't had a direct experience, but still don't think that it's worth it. As I said, if I can afford that LV jumper, I probably will afford a pure vicuna one too.

 

[happydayz1]

Does anyone own the Lockie made Nis 3ply cashmere model offered by Fransboone and can comment on the fit? Thanks

 

[elysiumfield]

Haven't had a direct experience, but still don't think that it's worth it. As I said, if I can afford that LV jumper, I probably will afford a pure vicuna one too.

The LV name comes at a premium of course. But if you get a 20% vicuna scarf from Piacenza for instance, it's priced just around 350€. A pure vicuna scarf of the same size is 1600€ at least (or significantly more expensive from LP). The price difference is huge between 20% vicuna and 100%.

 

[reidd]

Every year LV releases a handful of these: 2 ply/18 gauge, saddle shoulders, Scottish turn-cuffs.

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Where do you find these things? I can't imagine they are getting stocked in the LV stores.

 

[TheFoo]

Haven't had a direct experience, but still don't think that it's worth it.

Styleforum in a nutshell.

 

[DorianGreen]

Styleforum in a nutshell.

Well, sometimes you just need to use your brain, Mr Know-it-all.

 

[TheFoo]

Well, sometimes you just need to use your brain, Mr Know-it-all.

Dude, what? Your “brain” cannot fill-in for a tactile experience you’ve never had. It’s an empirical issue, not just a logical one.