Ermenegildo Zegna RAYON sweater

[epa]

My brother told me on the phone the other day that he had bought a EUR 200 sweater from Ermenegildo Zegna, and afterwards found out that it was 75% rayon (the rest was wool, I think). Isn't rayon considered a rather low quality material? Or am I wrong? I always thought that Zegna was supposed to use quality materials (actually, I thought that Zegna was supposed to be characterised by the quality of the cloths...). I fully understand that you may not get the top end materials for EUR 200, but 75% rayon sounds really cheap to me. Am I wrong? Comments, please...

 

[tiecollector]

Sure it wasn't Z Zegna?

 

[epa]

My brother said Ermenegildo Zegna, but he may be mistaken. I will check. But isn't 75% rayon "cheap" even for Z Zegna?

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by epa

My brother said Ermenegildo Zegna, but he may be mistaken. I will check. But isn't 75% rayon "cheap" even for Z Zegna?

I certainly wouldn't pay that much for rayon. They better have made the sweater look a certain way such that rayon was the only texture that could accomplish that look. If he likes the sweater though, I don't see why it matters what it is made out of. I'd have to like a Rayon sweater a LOT to pay that much for it. Is the sweater at least machine washable?

Tell me the sweater isn't made in China.

 

[ghulkhan]

Rayon is man-made but it is not a synthetic. It is produced from fibers derived from trees, cotton, and woody plants. In europe it used to be called artificial silk. It has been around a long time and has been improved over the years so that it has many desribale qualities. It has a good texture, its soft, ocmfotable, and absorbent. The only hitch is that is not a great insulator so its probably not as good as pure wool if you are looking for it to get you through the winter.

I didnt write that..style guy from gq did

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by ghulkhan

Rayon is man-made but it is not a synthetic. It is produced from fibers derived from trees, cotton, and woody plants. In europe it used to be called artificial silk. It has been around a long time and has been improved over the years so that it has many desribale qualities. It has a good texture, its soft, ocmfotable, and absorbent. The only hitch is that is not a great insulator so its probably not as good as pure wool if you are looking for it to get you through the winter.

I didnt write that..style guy from gq did

I was just reading it is processed cellulose and created in 1880 in France, making it the oldest man made fiber. I think the name sounds cheaper than the fabric itself.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

Often rayon that is listed as washable will wear out quickly due to the washing.

 

[j]

Originally Posted by tiecollector

I was just reading it is processed cellulose and created in 1880 in France, making it the oldest man made fiber. I think the name sounds cheaper than the fabric itself.
I'm pretty sure Rayon is a Dupont brand name like Nylon.

Rayon is not necessarily cheap, after all almost all the best suits are lined in it or something very similar. It just often features in cheap clothing as well.

 

[Rolo]

I like the way rayon drapes.

 

[DocHolliday]

It's still Rayon, though, isn't it? If the sweater didn't have the Zegna label, would anyone here consider buying it?

 

[j]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

It's still Rayon, though, isn't it? If the sweater didn't have the Zegna label, would anyone here consider buying it?
I wouldn't, just because I don't really like the look of rayon in a knit for the most part. But the Zegna label does to some degree guarantee that the rayon/wool blend is of reasonably good quality and should hold up a while, as opposed to a similar content tag on a sweater from Target.

BTW, modal, acetate, lyocell, viscose, etc., are all similar fibers to rayon, some of which carry less of a negative connotation. A major issue with a cheap brand of one of these is that you can't be sure how well the fiber was made, whereas with wool you can at least be sure it, at some point, came from a sheep.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

It's still Rayon, though, isn't it? If the sweater didn't have the Zegna label, would anyone here consider buying it?
What if instead of rayon it were bamboo?

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by j

I wouldn't, just because I don't really like the look of rayon in a knit for the most part. But the Zegna label does to some degree guarantee that the rayon/wool blend is of reasonably good quality and should hold up a while, as opposed to a similar content tag on a sweater from Target.

Does it, though? Sometimes I think we give certain labels too much benefit of the doubt. Zegna is a pretty good name, but some of the stuff sold under the badge is overpriced junk. And ultimately, it's a $200 Rayon sweater. Strikes me as a bit similar to how makers in the '70s charged a premium for "Finest imported Polyester."

 

[VMan]

I have seen many Ermenegildo Zegna (mainline) sweaters which had at least some part Rayon in their composition.

 

[j]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Does it, though? Sometimes I think we give certain labels too much benefit of the doubt. Zegna is a pretty good name, but some of the stuff sold under the badge is overpriced junk. And ultimately, it's a $200 Rayon sweater. Strikes me as a bit similar to how makers in the '70s charged a premium for "Finest imported Polyester."
I agree, but from what I've read here their knits are reasonably well-regarded. Correct me if I'm wrong.