Slim fit sweater - merino wool

[gadorg]

I searched the forum for any recent (ie, last 3-6 months) threads on this topic, but didn't find anything:

Can anyone recommend a slim fit, v-neck sweater in merino wool? I've looked at offerings from JCrew and Ralph Lauren in the $60-100 range, and there are some possibilities there, but wanted to see if anyone else could make a suggestion. I'm looking for something that I can layer over a long sleeve dress shirt on the cooler fall days.

 

[CruzAzul]

We actually just posted a buyer's guide on Monday. Personally, I usually go for Banana Republic when they go on sale.

 

[chasingred]

Banana Republic is hands down the worst place to buy merino wool sweaters. The sweater loses its shape before three month's time, and ends up saggy and shapeless. Don't bother, even when it's on sale. The money you put towards a BR sweater can be put towards much better buys. You can get John Smedley sweaters for around $75-100. A notch down is J Crew, but the quality is less nice, though still much, much better than BR. J Crew sweaters are around $70-50, and even lower when you catch them on sale. I've also heard one or two good things about Lands End Canvas, but have never tried them myself. Those are around $35-50 (more often than not, $35 since they're always on sale).

I'm still looking for better deals out there myself, but I can tell you as someone who has owned a handful of BR sweaters - they're probably the worst thing you can buy (and that goes for all BR stuff).

 

[CruzAzul]

You can wipe off the spittle that you sprayed everywhere, buddy. Maybe take a valium. Jesus.

 

[foggy]

John Smedley on ebay would be my recommendation.

 

[Ideefixee]

Hate to reccommend them, but...

I actually bought a navy V-neck from Express (don't kill me, SF) and it is quite nice... Merino wool, very soft, warm, and durable.

70 bucks.

 

[CruzAzul]

I've tried on the Express ones, and my issue wasn't the quality, but the fit. They were a lot baggier on me than others I've tried.

 

[Ideefixee]

Really? How tall are you?

 

[rwbenjey]

I looked at BR and Express as well. The BR sweaters looked too short and the armholes were way too big on the ones from Express (which was a bit strange). You could give J. Crew a shot, though they only have cotton/cashmere and cashmere I believe (they fit pretty well).

 

[kylelovesyou]

I've got a couple of merino sweaters from H&M that are both very slim and have been worn regularly for years and have not shown any real damage or wear.

 

[Citan1145]

Originally Posted by rwbenjey

I looked at BR and Express as well. The BR sweaters looked too short and the armholes were way too big on the ones from Express (which was a bit strange). You could give J. Crew a shot, though they only have cotton/cashmere and cashmere I believe (they fit pretty well).

They have merino too and they are usually pretty good. I have a few from the factory and the normal store and they hold up fine and fit well, pretty true to size.

 

[1969]

Anyone able to comment on JPress?

 

[JustinW]

John Smedley? Fred Perry will be a little over your budget and Ben Sherman is using too many horrid wool-polly blends. Oh, how about Merc or Baracuta sales?

 

[chasingred]

Originally Posted by 1969

Anyone able to comment on JPress?

Given that its trad, I would assume it's not slim fitting at all.

 

[aphextwin07]

i wore two jcrew merino v necks last fall/winter that held up very well through the season. they still look brand new today. i did comparison shopping for similar items at BR and found that the cut was much looser and the quality visibly inferior.