Brooks Brothers Cashmere

[chorse123]

Any word on the quality of Brooks Brothers cashmere sweaters? Made in Scotland from Italian cashmere. Do they pill a lot? Thick enough?

 

[intent]

I heard they use Loro Piana for their highest line.

I went to the clearance centre in Maine (not the factory store) and got an amazing cashmere sweater made in HK with 3 ply Italian cashmere. No idea if it's Loro Piana, but the handwork is intricate. Retail was $450, got it for around $100 (or less, I can't remember).

EDIT: I also saw the Made in Scotland ones, but I don't think they were as good as my Hong Kong one. They were around $70, and they were good too. Too bad I don't have a car . . .

 

[Thurston]

I have a few turtlenecks and v necks. They are thick and soft. They don't pill horribly, but they do pill. They run pretty large. I'm a 44 and Medium fits better than Large.

 

[rssmsvc]

There are 2 kinds I have seen the Italian Cashmere made in Scotland, and the Triple Ply Scottish Cashmere knitted in Italy and they are both decent.

 

[qyadh]

Originally Posted by Thurston

I have a few turtlenecks and v necks. They are thick and soft. They don't pill horribly, but they do pill. They run pretty large. I'm a 44 and Medium fits better than Large.

+1 on the sizing. BB sweaters run VERY large for their stated size.

 

[lpalma121]

Quality isn't that bad but it's not the best. They're not that soft either and for some reason they're overpriced for what they are. Well then again anything BB is.

 

[intent]

I'm just disappointed how everything is made in China. Yes, I know Chinese textiles have various tiers of quality, but for the prices they charge for retail, can't they at least stamp a "Made in Italy" or "Made in USA" tag on them by finishing a button or something? The entire "Country Club" line is made in China. Hard to imagine a group of wealthy men dressed in Chinese-made clothes.

On the other hand, for some reason I think of "Made in Hong Kong" as better than China.

 

[furo]

I kept a BB Black Fleece cashmere for myself, it is made in Italy though, not Scotland, from Italian cashmere.

Very nice quality from what I can tell, and the sizing is right in line with other Black Fleece stuff.

I'm not sure about the comparison between black fleece and golden fleece when it comes to cashmere. I wouldn't buy the 346 stuff.

 

[HRoi]

Originally Posted by rssmsvc

There are 2 kinds I have seen the Italian Cashmere made in Scotland, and the Triple Ply Scottish Cashmere knitted in Italy and they are both decent.
wait, so they send italian cashmere to scotland to be knitted, and scottish cashmere to italy? is this some newfangled globalization b-school strategy?

 

[rssmsvc]

Originally Posted by HRoi

wait, so they send italian cashmere to scotland to be knitted, and scottish cashmere to italy?

is this some newfangled globalization b-school strategy?

I noticed that the Country Club Cashmere Sweaters were the the first group and the
Golden Fleece was the second. I asked my SA and she was puzzled at the time too.

 

[I. Gentantithesis]

As of October 2008, Brooks Brothers is a 25% partner in what was previously Ballantyne Knitwear in Innerleithen, Scotland. Ballantyne had been acquired a few years ago, by an Italian firm with a Malo connection, from its previous owner Dawson International. The partnership consists of three Italian partner firms, separate endeavours. The name is now "JJ & HB 1788 Cashmere Mills" and produces cashmere knitwear for Brooks Brothers, Ballantyne and the resurrected Braemar brand. That's not to say it's all the same stuff.

Ain't no such thing as Italian or Scottish or Hong Kong cashmere.

 

[Thurston]

As far as the price, it goes without saying that anything at BB should be bought on sale. The cashmere sweaters retail for $348, right now they're on sale at 2 for $499. That sale always coincides with a 25% off event (there's a coupon code right now) so the net price goes down to $187. They're not worth $348, but they're a relative bargain at $187, IMO.

 

[lee_44106]

I like BB cashmere stuff on steep discount.

I can find most items for at least 60% off at the Factory stores.

 

[chorse123]

Thanks for the opinions, guys. I've sworn off "cheap" cashmere because I think it's a waste of money, but Brooks sounds like at least a step above, if not top of the line.

 

[philosophe]

Originally Posted by chorse123

Thanks for the opinions, guys. I've sworn off "cheap" cashmere because I think it's a waste of money, but Brooks sounds like at least a step above, if not top of the line.

We will look forward to the HY cashmere.