Lack of elasticity in cashmere knitwear

[TheDarkKnight]

I bought a cashmere jumper from Marks and Spencers today and this is my first 100% cashmere jumper, so if this question is teh ultra noob, I apologise!

But I notice that the jumper isn't as elastic as say a merino wool jumper - for example around the sides of my waist a merino can be quite fitted because of the natural spring and tightness in the wool.

This cashmere jumper seems to have a lot less elasticity, is this typical of cashmere?

Here's a link - the price is fantastic and it has a nice hand

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Autog...elated-items-3

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Bump

 

[juvefan]

maybe it's the cheap cashmere. i have one of them and it's the same way

 

[lee_44106]

Let's put it this way.

At 59 lb, that's about $90.

What do you expect for a $90 sweater?

The likes of Loro Piana, Cucinelli goes for $1500 each.

 

[ter1413]

It's cheap....and I don't mean only the price....

 

[TheDarkKnight]

So this isn't typical of cashmere, more a sign of cheaper cashmere, as you say?

What do you think of them for value at £60 versus a better quality merino wool sweater for say £40 from another retailer?

Can you also recommend similar cost sweaters? Thanks

 

[ter1413]

Originally Posted by TheDarkKnight

So this isn't typical of cashmere, more a sign of cheaper cashmere, as you say?

What do you think of them for value at £60 versus a better quality merino wool sweater for say £40 from another retailer?

Can you also recommend similar cost sweaters? Thanks

The sweater can def serve a purpose over a few years. You will have to care for it to prolong the life. Value? Depends on what it looks like after you soak or dryclean. Everyone can't get a $1500 sweater. You bought it cause you like it...so rock it until it "dies!"

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Originally Posted by ter1413

The sweater can def serve a purpose over a few years. You will have to care for it to prolong the life. Value? Depends on what it looks like after you soak or dryclean. Everyone can't get a $1500 sweater. You bought it cause you like it...so rock it until it "dies!"
Well in my experience the merino wool M&S sweaters last well, even with machine washing. They serve a purpose for very casual dressed down clothing. I need 3 sweaters to fit a casual dressed down category, and really £60 each is the top of my budget at the moment! What about addressing the lack of spring in the cloth by getting it tailored in a little in the offending areas - the waist and lower back?

 

[ter1413]

Originally Posted by TheDarkKnight

Well in my experience the merino wool M&S sweaters last well, even with machine washing. They serve a purpose for casual dressed down clothing.

I need 3 sweaters to fit this casual dressed down category, and really £60 each is the top of my budget at the moment!

What about addressing the lack of spring in the cloth by getting it tailored in a little in the offending areas - the waist and lower back?

very touchy....

 

[TheDarkKnight]

What do you mean Ter?

 

[TheDarkKnight]

I spoke to my usual alterations tailor today. They said to bring the jumpers in, as cashmere being so fine can be difficult to alter, depending on the thickness of the wool and the seams.

I shall take one in tomorrow!

 

[unjung]

Tailoring cashmere sounds like a recipe for disaster - oh wait, you only paid 59lb, so who cares? That said, I actually like to keep a good quantity of merino in my sweater collection, more durable.

 

[Patek]

Originally Posted by TheDarkKnight

Well in my experience the merino wool M&S sweaters last well, even with machine washing. They serve a purpose for very casual dressed down clothing.

I need 3 sweaters to fit a casual dressed down category, and really £60 each is the top of my budget at the moment!

What about addressing the lack of spring in the cloth by getting it tailored in a little in the offending areas - the waist and lower back?

You machine wash your sweaters? I have to see this to believe it.

 

[Kentishman]

I'm actually wearing an (old) M&S merino/silk/cashmere blend sweater today. Had it about five years and it was about fifty quid (or 'lbs'). It soft, warm and stretchy (oo-er). I've also got a ton of Uniqlo cashmere sweaters in a range of colours and I whilst I hand wash them, they get thown in the machine for a gentle spin cycle to dry them out. I'm pretty sure at some point my wide has thrown them in the wash too, with no discernably bad effects.

A couple of other cashmere sweaters I have surprisingly large amounts of elasticity as well.

Be interested to see the results of tailoring; it's not for me as I wouldn't want anything too restrictive over a shirt, but I don't doubt it can be done.

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by Patek

You machine wash your sweaters? I have to see this to believe it.

what's the big deal?

I machine wash my high end cashmere sweaters (Loro Piana, Cucinelli) without any problems at all