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Cashmere Sweater Hierarchy

epsilon22

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There is much talk among the new wool shirt brands that this sort of thing doesn't need laundering the way cotton polos do. Just the same, I have been looking for long-sleeve t shirts (V neck or Henley) to go under my new winter polos. The virtue of being casual and not sending a dress shirt to the cleaners gets pretty well negated if you have to hand wash and air dry wool or cashmere every day.
Well I don't wash my turtleneck after every wear but maybe after 3-4 wears? I wear an undershirt usually but the neck part still gets oily after a few wears.

For crewnecks and cardigans I wear on top of shirts, I wash them at the end of the season unless I spill anything on them.
 

epsilon22

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I'm looking for a nice zip up cashmere cardigan but am not very well informed (although have started working my way through this thread). I wanted to see if people had any recommendations <$1,000. So far, these two look interesting and are brands I've seen recommended here:



I believe the WL Oxton is 1-ply so I'm assuming will be thinner / lighter than the 4-ply Johnston. I'd like to wear this inside though with a t-shirt or button down so not sure heavier is necessarily better. Open to other options as well.
The Oxton is mid weight, comparable to most 2-ply from other makers. The 4-ply is thicker of course.

Colhay's also makes a pretty thick one but mostly out of stock. I think quite a bit cheaper than Johnstons.

Colombo has very thin kid cashmere zip cardigans too, some full zip and some half zip. Braun is currently having 30%+20% off for all Colombo items, I linked a few pages back.
 

Concordia

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Well I don't wash my turtleneck after every wear but maybe after 3-4 wears? I wear an undershirt usually but the neck part still gets oily after a few wears.

For crewnecks and cardigans I wear on top of shirts, I wash them at the end of the season unless I spill anything on them.

Same here on cardigans and crewnecks. I am just reluctant to put the fabric against the skin for too long. Even if it doesn't technically get dirty or odorous, the skin cells you shed and various oils could easily provoke rashes or discomfort. So I am moving to a middle ground of wearing t shirts under the heavier weight polos, while maybe getting a handful of wears from the Wool & Prince variety, which are really very comfy. No cashmere, though, so perhaps too far off-topic.
 

epsilon22

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Same here on cardigans and crewnecks. I am just reluctant to put the fabric against the skin for too long. Even if it doesn't technically get dirty or odorous, the skin cells you shed and various oils could easily provoke rashes or discomfort. So I am moving to a middle ground of wearing t shirts under the heavier weight polos, while maybe getting a handful of wears from the Wool & Prince variety, which are really very comfy. No cashmere, though, so perhaps too far off-topic.
Yes I think it's very dependent on each person's skin. My face and neck are generally quite oily so even if they don't smell, sometimes turtlenecks would look somewhat dirty/oily.

No worries about discussing non-cashmere knits, this thread has long since moved into discussing wool and other fibers.
 

fabricateurialist

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Would you happen to have any recommendation?

Actually good point, the LP baby cashmere might be a comparable fiber to the Colombo kid cashmere I bought, I'll take a look at their offerings too.
Pashmere has also started using Consinee’s baby cashmere since LP, like Colombo, doesn’t make it available to other brands

Every spinner has their own way of processing the yarn during production, and that’s before the knitter washes and steams the garment, but I just wanted to put this out there for those who like to try new things
 
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Would you fine folks ever suggest having a cashmere sweater tailored or altered? I found my size in a Colombo sweater but it’s just a tad loose in a couple of spots. Does that make sense to do or should I be sourcing a sweater from a company that fits better (MTM is probably not in my budget at the moment). Thank you!
Yes it can be done but as in anything it comes down to cost to alter. I was given a Johnstons cashmere 8ply(??), cable crew neck rarely worn. Unfortunately, the waist was stretched out of proportion. It was such a beautiful thick sweater I decided to see if I could find a service to reduce the waist. Did some research and chose "Cashmere Circle" (Dunbar Business Centre, Dunbar, East Lothian EH42 1RS, United Kingdom). They had me take sweater photos and a description of what I wanted. They sent the photos and description to knitters in Hawick, Scotland to see if what I wanted was possible. Cashmere Circle got back to me in a couple weeks and said what I wanted could be done given the sweaters construction and gave me the price. I pinned the sweater to the waist size I wanted and shipped the sweater to them. A month later it arrived back and the sweater was perfect. They basically unknit the sides, reduced excess fabric and knitted back the sides to the proper width and cleaned the sweater. It has been 3 years and no issues. Hope this helps. Regards
 

Hchaud99

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Yes it can be done but as in anything it comes down to cost to alter. I was given a Johnstons cashmere 8ply(??), cable crew neck rarely worn. Unfortunately, the waist was stretched out of proportion. It was such a beautiful thick sweater I decided to see if I could find a service to reduce the waist. Did some research and chose "Cashmere Circle" (Dunbar Business Centre, Dunbar, East Lothian EH42 1RS, United Kingdom). They had me take sweater photos and a description of what I wanted. They sent the photos and description to knitters in Hawick, Scotland to see if what I wanted was possible. Cashmere Circle got back to me in a couple weeks and said what I wanted could be done given the sweaters construction and gave me the price. I pinned the sweater to the waist size I wanted and shipped the sweater to them. A month later it arrived back and the sweater was perfect. They basically unknit the sides, reduced excess fabric and knitted back the sides to the proper width and cleaned the sweater. It has been 3 years and no issues. Hope this helps. Regards
That’s very helpful. Thank you and the other members for your replies!
 

nabass

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How would folks compare Colombo to William Lockie (or Colhay’s) for shawl collar cardigans? WL seems like good price / value and have read durability is good.

Colombo style is definitely different, looks less chunky and more fitted, so that’s partly style preference. But how would quality and durability compare? Colombo is expensive but not drastically so on sale and I’m just looking to get one piece.
 

epsilon22

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How would folks compare Colombo to William Lockie (or Colhay’s) for shawl collar cardigans? WL seems like good price / value and have read durability is good.

Colombo style is definitely different, looks less chunky and more fitted, so that’s partly style preference. But how would quality and durability compare? Colombo is expensive but not drastically so on sale and I’m just looking to get one piece.
I think this is just a case where they look so very different that you shouldn't decide based on quality/durability. All of them should be constructed well using good cashmere, the Colombo is of course softer because of the finer fibers, the Scottish ones would be much heavier/chunkier. I doubt any of them would fall apart quickly. Pick based on the style you prefer more.
 

Johnny80

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How would folks compare Colombo to William Lockie (or Colhay’s) for shawl collar cardigans? WL seems like good price / value and have read durability is good.

Colombo style is definitely different, looks less chunky and more fitted, so that’s partly style preference. But how would quality and durability compare? Colombo is expensive but not drastically so on sale and I’m just looking to get one piece.
WL for shawl collar
 

DorianGreen

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How would folks compare Colombo to William Lockie (or Colhay’s) for shawl collar cardigans? WL seems like good price / value and have read durability is good.

Colombo style is definitely different, looks less chunky and more fitted, so that’s partly style preference. But how would quality and durability compare? Colombo is expensive but not drastically so on sale and I’m just looking to get one piece.

If you like it and the price (about 2k reduced) is not an issue, then get it. The quality of material will be second to none.

https://www.braun-hamburg.com/de/colombo-cashmere-cardigan-beige-057823-1130.html

Personally, I prefer a more traditional design (I don't like the vertical pockets on the Colombo cardigan, collar too small as well), like that of William Lockie, or, even better, Colhay's (I have one), or Johnstons of Elgin.

If you prefer a more fitted garment, downsizing is an option.
 

nabass

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If you like it and the price (about 2k reduced) is not an issue, then get it. The quality of material will be second to none.

https://www.braun-hamburg.com/de/colombo-cashmere-cardigan-beige-057823-1130.html

Personally, I prefer a more traditional design (I don't like the vertical pockets on the Colombo cardigan, collar too small as well), like that of William Lockie, or, even better, Colhay's (I have one), or Johnstons of Elgin.

If you prefer a more fitted garment, downsizing is an option.
What do you see as differences between William Lockie and Colhay’s? If going Scottish those were two I was looking at. I also like look of Begg shawl collar but it’s twice price so out of contention.

How did you size Colhay’s? I’m 5’11” 185lbs and 41” chest, not sure if I’d go M or L in these. I don’t want oversized look but obviously don’t want it to be tight, fitted is good.
 

DorianGreen

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What do you see as differences between William Lockie and Colhay’s? If going Scottish those were two I was looking at. I also like look of Begg shawl collar but it’s twice price so out of contention.

How did you size Colhay’s? I’m 5’11” 185lbs and 41” chest, not sure if I’d go M or L in these. I don’t want oversized look but obviously don’t want it to be tight, fitted is good.

The main reason why I prefer the Colhay's cardigan (allegedly made by Scott & Charters) is the collar, and precisely how the external ribs follow the contour, secondarily the horn buttons.

In this case I went for the 40/M size, my usual one, and did not size down, as I usually do and actually did for my shawls from McGeorge and Drumohr (not cashmere), because I also wanted to have one in the traditional oversized look. It's pretty roomy (also to consider is that the kind of knit extends pretty much) and comfortable.

There's a quite precise size table, if in doubt.

https://www.styleforum.net/attachments/1000003107-jpg.2232879/
 

BMC

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The new Open Collar Cashmere Jumper by Private White (presumably made by Johnstons of Elgin). In three classic colours available, Cobble Grey, Ink and Bark.

View attachment 2261229 View attachment 2261231 View attachment 2261233

Liking this style more and more. Also fond of the original texture.

It's now on sale, 50% off. €770 was insane to begin with.


I like the brand, but one would be crazy to buy anything at retail. Everything goes on a 50%+ sale eventually. Wouldn't be surprised if these cashmere pieces will go on 70% sale.
 

DorianGreen

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It's now on sale, 50% off. €770 was insane to begin with.


I like the brand, but one would be crazy to buy anything at retail. Everything goes on a 50%+ sale eventually. Wouldn't be surprised if these cashmere pieces will go on 70% sale.

I rarely buy at retail, I almost always wait for sales. The risk, of course, is that your size will be sold out.

By the way, €770 is a high price, but not overdone. Look at the prices of Colombo, Loro Piana or Cucinelli for comparison.
 

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