Borrelli sweaters

[Pink22m]

After a wonderful experience at the local Borrelli boutique, including the purchase of some cord trousers, and a light blue shirt, I found myself curious about their cashmere and wool sweaters that I had gazed at while inside. How are their sweaters in terms of quality and cut? I am assuming they run quite trim like most of Borrelli's sportswear. How would you rate them quality wise, against RLPL, Cucinelli, and Loro Piana?

 

[horton]

I don't own a LP, but have seen them (so only limited experience there). I do own Cucinelli, RLPL, Borrelli, Avon Celli, Luciano Barbera and some house brands (e.g., Louis).

I would rate Borrelli up there with all of them. They do run trim as you expect.

Personally, I think it's a waste of time trying to choose a "best of" out of this bunch (and you can throw in others for sure, e.g., Malo) and I think the best approach once you're at this tier is to see what style and fit you like best.

 

[A Y]

They run a little short in the torso and arms if you buy your true chest size. I only have a wool Borrelli sweater, but it seems to be fragile for a wool sweater as light wear has made it pill up already, more so than my cashmere sweaters. Perhaps their cashmere is better.

I like Loro Piana because of their wide variety of colors, really high quality of cashmere, and simple detailing --- they seem to be the only Italian brand I've seen that treats their cashmere stuff as a basic item, and stock it as such, hence the colors. I really don't like the leather detailing that's so popular this past season, because it will make cleaning the sweater more difficult. The Cucinelli leather elbow pads are ridiculous, for example.

--Andre

 

[horton]

Excellent points. I have a thick cashmere from Borrelli and a cotton one and have been happy so far with durability -- e.g., no pilling on cashmere.

For cucinelli, the leather can be a pain. Even the leather zipper pulls complicate hand washing. I had the leather of the zipper pull start to delaminate from its backing -- fixable but still a pain.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

They run a little short in the torso and arms if you buy your true chest size. I only have a wool Borrelli sweater, but it seems to be fragile for a wool sweater as light wear has made it pill up already, more so than my cashmere sweaters. Perhaps their cashmere is better.

I like Loro Piana because of their wide variety of colors, really high quality of cashmere, and simple detailing --- they seem to be the only Italian brand I've seen that treats their cashmere stuff as a basic item, and stock it as such, hence the colors. I really don't like the leather detailing that's so popular this past season, because it will make cleaning the sweater more difficult. The Cucinelli leather elbow pads are ridiculous, for example.

--Andre
My experience with their Cashmere mimics Andre's with wool. It is a nice looking sweater with an OK cut but the durability is really bad. I would be surprised if it lasts two years. I also concur on Loro Piana. I have grown weary of their cotton products which I think suck, but the cashmere sweaters are terrific.

 

[bryce330]

I highly recommend Borrelli sweaters. I have several cashmere crewnecks and one cashmere V-neck and they are by far my favorite sweaters.

I find that the cut is superior (notably slimmer) to most of the other top sweater brands discussed in this thread. The v-necks in particular are cut extremely slim, probably because they are designed to be worn under a jacket, and you may have to go up a size from your usual size. I have long arms and have not had any problems with sleeve length.

The prices are also surprisingly reasonable - I was at the Milan boutique last month and the 100% cashmere V-necks and crewnecks were each 270 Euro. I checked out some designer cashmere sweaters (Prada, Dolce, etc.) since I was looking for a very slim cut and these were in the range of 400-500 Euro for an inferior product. I think LP and Cucinelli would also be closer to 400.

I have not noticed any problems with durability but I have only had my oldest one for about two years.

 

[Pink22m]

I highly recommend Borrelli sweaters. I have several cashmere crewnecks and one cashmere V-neck and they are by far my favorite sweaters.

I find that the cut is superior (notably slimmer) to most of the other top sweater brands discussed in this thread. The v-necks in particular are cut extremely slim, probably because they are designed to be worn under a jacket, and you may have to go up a size from your usual size. I have long arms and have not had any problems with sleeve length.

The prices are also surprisingly reasonable - I was at the Milan boutique last month and the 100% cashmere V-necks and crewnecks were each 270 Euro. I checked out some designer cashmere sweaters (Prada, Dolce, etc.) since I was looking for a very slim cut and these were in the range of 400-500 Euro for an inferior product. I think LP and Cucinelli would also be closer to 400.

I have not noticed any problems with durability but I have only had my oldest one for about two years.

Of the four Borrelli items I own, two have been purchased in Italy, including one which I purchased at the Milan boutique as well. It's been my experience that Borrelli over in Italy is somewhat cheaper. The first Borrelli shirt I purchased in Venice was on sale for 120 Euros, and the second, which I purchased in Milan at the Borrelli boutique, was still only 180 Euros.

Thanks for the feedback regarding the sweaters. I might have to try one while Borrelli is still having their 30% off sale.