Cashmere Jackets in the Summer?

[J. Cogburn]

Does this make any sense in a place like DC? I was on a business trip to San Diego recently and popped in to the Ralph Lauren store in La Jolla. They were selling a gorgeous light weight white cashmere jacket they were billing as a summer piece. Looked awesome, but ... I'm wary. Summers in La Jolla are not the same as summers in DC. Sure, a white linen jacket would make more sense here, but I like to wear white and cream linen pants in the summer and a cashmere jacket would add the right sort of textural contrast I like when mixing these colors. Still, comfort is more important in the muggy hell that is my home city.

 

[Antonio Centeno]

Purchase it, keep the receipt, and wear it around the house to see how it feels. Depending on the price, and how many perfect afternoons you have to wear it, it could easily become a special jacket that serves you for a decade.

Worse case you return it in a month.

 

[cncrd]

If it doesn't have a heavy lining it can work on mild days. I have a couple of lightweight cashmere jackets I wear through May and into June if it's not too warm (I'm in NC, so very similar weather to you in DC), but one is unlined and I find that that makes a tremendous difference.

A lot depends on whether you're wearing it while walking around outside, or in an air conditioned office all day. If the latter, since it's a light color and made to be a summer piece, I'd definitely wear it and not worry about it.

 

[Nicola]

Doesn't it get cooler in the evening?

 

[TRINI]

Originally Posted by Nicola

Doesn't it get cooler in the evening?

Not sure about a white jacket at night (white/black tie aside)

 

[Nicola]

Beach/resort wear

 

[cncrd]

Is it white white or cream white? If the former it's going to be a little more difficult to pull off.

 

[MBreinin]

The Sartoria Partenopea I wore yesterday is 100% cashmere. It is light weight, 1/4 lined and sky blue. It is a SS piece, and I intend to wear it all summer. I live in New Orleans, which is actually worse in the summer than DC (where I grew up). It is very comfortable and breathes well.

Mike

 

[greekonomist]

I wouldn't recommend it. All things equal, a linen coat would wear more comfortably. DC is brutal.

 

[texas_jack]

I would say no, especially if you intend to walk and take public transport. You'll regret it.

 

[J. Cogburn]

Originally Posted by cncrd

Is it white white or cream white? If the former it's going to be a little more difficult to pull off.

White.

Originally Posted by MBreinin

The Sartoria Partenopea I wore yesterday is 100% cashmere. It is light weight, 1/4 lined and sky blue. It is a SS piece, and I intend to wear it all summer. I live in New Orleans, which is actually worse in the summer than DC (where I grew up). It is very comfortable and breathes well.

What is an "SS piece"? Something the Nazi's wore?

 

[TRINI]

Originally Posted by J. Cogburn

What is an "SS piece"? Something the Nazi's wore?

Spring Summer

 

[rathebaindc]

Originally Posted by Nicola

Doesn't it get cooler in the evening?
Yes, it goes from miserable to hot.

 

[koolhistorian]

I have a 50% cashmere - 50% cotton jacket (Zegna fabric) that I made for SS - it is unwearable in more than 20 C! So be careful!

 

[NewYorkIslander]

I have an 85% cash 15% silk summer jacket. Cashmere is a great fabric, warm when its cold, but not heavy enough to kill you when its warm. It depends on the thickness of the cashmere of course.