Don K
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- Oct 21, 2008
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Some personal observations on Scottish Cashmere Sweaters (or Jumpers if you insist!) - not intended to be comprehensive or authoritative ... Please contribute you own observations and experiences!
My first cashmere sweaters were purchased on sale at half price at Latham House on Third Avenue in New York City in the mid 1980's. They were two McGeorge V Necks in Oatmeal and Yellow at half price. Well, Latham House is long gone and I managed to wear out the Oatmeal V Neck long ago, but I still have the one in Yellow. If anything it has improved with age since I only hand washed it in Woolite; never dry cleaned it; and rationed wearing it.
McGeorge went out of business circa 1996. Although I liked the basic shape and styling of their sweaters (in Shetland Wool as well as Cashmere), I found the quality rather hit or miss. When they were good they were terrific, however sizing was inconsistent and some of them were prone to pilling. Today, I still own five of them in Cashmere and one in a Shetland Wool Cardigan with a Shawl collar. I confess to a certain amount of nostalgia attached to them.
For overall quality, I still feel that Ballantyne is probably unmatched. I own three V necks, all purchased on eBay. One is utilitarian; one is excellent; and the other one is absolutely superb. After getting used to fully fashioned sweaters with saddle shoulders, the Ballantyne "inset sleeve" took some getting used to, but I have to admit that I want more Ballantynes!
My other Cashmere sweaters include two beautiful Peter Scott cable knit crew necks purchased BIN on eBay. They were New With Tags at $140 and originally retailed for $400. In addition, I bought a nice rib knit pullover with a V Neck made by Scott & Charters at Best of Scotland in New York. At $375, I was disappointed when it began to pill.
The Peter Scott and Scott & Charters sweaters need to be taken in at the waist. It's tough to find a tailor who can do it properly. My problem is that I have at least a 12" drop from my chest to my waist. This makes it practically impossible for me to buy a good suit off the rack.
Over the years, I have owned a couple of Pringles, but I didn't like them. I only had Drumohr in Shetland Wool. Since I have no experience with Johnstons of Elgin; William Lockie; Lyle & Scott; Murray Allen and John Laing (alas, the latter two now out of business), I hope that other members will share their opinions about them on this thread.
Today Scottish Cashmere is beginning to look like an endangered species. Unfortunately, they are not as plentiful as they used to be on eBay. Retail sources are dwindling. Hopefully, someone with inside information will give us an accurate report on the state of the health of the Hawick knitwear industry. From the research that I've done online, it sounds alarming.
My first cashmere sweaters were purchased on sale at half price at Latham House on Third Avenue in New York City in the mid 1980's. They were two McGeorge V Necks in Oatmeal and Yellow at half price. Well, Latham House is long gone and I managed to wear out the Oatmeal V Neck long ago, but I still have the one in Yellow. If anything it has improved with age since I only hand washed it in Woolite; never dry cleaned it; and rationed wearing it.
McGeorge went out of business circa 1996. Although I liked the basic shape and styling of their sweaters (in Shetland Wool as well as Cashmere), I found the quality rather hit or miss. When they were good they were terrific, however sizing was inconsistent and some of them were prone to pilling. Today, I still own five of them in Cashmere and one in a Shetland Wool Cardigan with a Shawl collar. I confess to a certain amount of nostalgia attached to them.
For overall quality, I still feel that Ballantyne is probably unmatched. I own three V necks, all purchased on eBay. One is utilitarian; one is excellent; and the other one is absolutely superb. After getting used to fully fashioned sweaters with saddle shoulders, the Ballantyne "inset sleeve" took some getting used to, but I have to admit that I want more Ballantynes!
My other Cashmere sweaters include two beautiful Peter Scott cable knit crew necks purchased BIN on eBay. They were New With Tags at $140 and originally retailed for $400. In addition, I bought a nice rib knit pullover with a V Neck made by Scott & Charters at Best of Scotland in New York. At $375, I was disappointed when it began to pill.
The Peter Scott and Scott & Charters sweaters need to be taken in at the waist. It's tough to find a tailor who can do it properly. My problem is that I have at least a 12" drop from my chest to my waist. This makes it practically impossible for me to buy a good suit off the rack.
Over the years, I have owned a couple of Pringles, but I didn't like them. I only had Drumohr in Shetland Wool. Since I have no experience with Johnstons of Elgin; William Lockie; Lyle & Scott; Murray Allen and John Laing (alas, the latter two now out of business), I hope that other members will share their opinions about them on this thread.
Today Scottish Cashmere is beginning to look like an endangered species. Unfortunately, they are not as plentiful as they used to be on eBay. Retail sources are dwindling. Hopefully, someone with inside information will give us an accurate report on the state of the health of the Hawick knitwear industry. From the research that I've done online, it sounds alarming.