What colors do you like for cashmere sweaters?

[ramuman]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrockett

I am such a thread killer.

There were 150 posts to discuss what color to get a cashmere sweater in.

 

[Wes Bourne]

Originally Posted by srivats

If you are on the slim side, go with your sportscoat size. Otherwise size up and get the next size. I am a slim 38R and I got mine in size 38, and they fit me well. 40 would have been loose on me. FWIW, a 38R in polo IV cut is slightly on the bigger side on my frame in the chest area, even with a thin sweater underneath on top of my dress shirt and undershirt.

Call Oconnells' and ask for Ethan. He is very helpful.

Originally Posted by RyJ Maduro

I'm a 36S, and the size small fits perfectly. Not quite "slim" but not at all baggy or loose.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrockett

For shetlands:
Press Shaggy Dogs are really very good, and the fit is superb on a slim person like me (a size medium fits on my 39/40R chest and 32" waist, 34" sleeve body just as I'd like it to). The quality is top, the colors are interesting, and the "fashioning" is also very good (love the must-fold cuffs). I have also owned Andover Shop shetlands and don't like them as much (mainly because the fit is wonky and the cuffs are not must-fold). It is very difficult for me to walk into Press and not want to buy 5 or 6 Shaggies.


For cashmere
If you're going to go Johnston's, you should definitely check Sierra Trading Post. Just search "Elgin". Lots and lots of Johnston's sweaters. I have 3 from STP from over the years, 2 purchased for $120 and one for $150 (stacking discounts, etc). The quality on these is, I'd say, better than just about anything in the $400-500 price range sold in brick and mortar stores or by well-known brands in the US. The crewnecks have a very nice saddle shoulder. My one qualm is that the necks on my crewnecks aren't as "tight" as I'd like and thus have stretched out a bit. Think of these as a better version of the "Knitted in Scotland" cashmeres BB is now selling (I just learned from Cashmere Truth that "knitted in Scotland" means knitted there but constructed elsewhere..interesting). My Johnstons have not pilled really at all, though they've gotten a bit fuzzier, and I like that.

I also have two sweaters from Laing (believe they are old stock) and they are just fantastic. I bought them from a tiny store in Boston, which I believe has now closed, called "Best of Scotland" (no relation to the one in NY) for $280 apiece. I am serious when I say I would pay up to $1K for these if I found more. I don't know where Laing can be found these days but if anyone knows, please tell me.

On color for cashmere
Nothing beats navy. It is that simple. Goes with everything, doesn't show dirt or pilling, looks good with most complexions.

Beyond navy, if you want something that looks good and cashmere-y, go for oatmeal (NOT camel), light light grey (almost like a silver), or a heathered mid-gray color which Johnston's calls "Grebe"

I wrote a bit more about this in an old thread. Hope this is helpful:
http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...8&postcount=36

I am very curious to try Lockie but seems like a few are trying it here. Be my guinea pigs.

^ Good info, thanks.

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrockett

Beyond navy, if you want something that looks good and cashmere-y, go for oatmeal (NOT camel,...

There's nothing wrong with camel. It's a classic color on par with navy.

 

[AThingForCashmere]

Originally Posted by ramuman

There were 150 posts to discuss what color to get a cashmere sweater in.

Johnny come lately.

That's a statement not a question.

And +1 on AlanC's comment about camel. It's a more flattering color than oatmeal for most hair/complexion types.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by AlanC

There's nothing wrong with camel. It's a classic color on par with navy.

I agree that camel is classic, but I find that it is surpisingly difficult to wear in practice. It tends to clash because it doesn't contrast enough with other colors of medium lightness. Consequenty, I like my tans to be darker (brown) or lighter (oatmeal, cream, etc.).

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by AThingForCashmere

Johnny come lately.

That's a statement not a question.

And +1 on AlanC's comment about camel. It's a more flattering color than oatmeal for most hair/complexion types.

+1

I have a camel hair sweater (not just color but fabric) from Hart Shaf Marx which is very nice. Its cable knit which may not be soup du jour to the fashion crowd but they are a bunch of sheep anyway.

 

[AThingForCashmere]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I agree that camel is classic, but I find that it is surpisingly difficult to wear in practice. It tends to clash because it doesn't contrast enough with other colors of medium lightness. Consequenty, I like my tans to be darker (brown) or lighter (oatmeal, cream, etc.).

Which medium lightness colors are you thinking of? In addition to standard white, most colors popular for dress shirts are complemented better by camel than oatmeal or darker browns. This is why camel is a staple color from just about all cashmere producers.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by AThingForCashmere

Which medium lightness colors are you thinking of? In addition to standard white, most colors popular for dress shirts are complemented better by camel than oatmeal or darker browns. This is why camel is a staple color from just about all cashmere producers.

Light blue shirts look better with brown and oatmeal in my mind, but I also think that medium grey trousers clash with camel.

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by I. Gentantithesis

If still so, these be them (Lockie knitted, limited colors, probably processed and spun by Todd & Duncan or Z. Hinchliffe, both Scottish though Z.H. is based in Eng..) > http://www.heatherwallace.com/men_ca...php?prod_ID=19

Thank you for this link. Some nice looking pieces on that site and the quality, style & colours look good. The price is certainly right (esp. since I'm in the UK). Does anyone here have any experience in how they fit?

Their size chart suggests that their 42" smallest size corresponds to a Small, but the measurements seem more like a Medium. I suspect it will be too big for me, at about a 36 jacket size, but would be interested in what experience others may have had.

 

[furo]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrockett

Think of these as a better version of the "Knitted in Scotland" cashmeres BB is now selling (I just learned from Cashmere Truth that "knitted in Scotland" means knitted there but constructed elsewhere..interesting).

The BB cashmere sweaters I just bought are knitted and finished in Scotland, which means there was no exporting to complete the work elsewhere.

The tag even says "Made in Scotland" not "Knitted in Scotland."

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Holdfast

Their size chart suggests that their 42" smallest size corresponds to a Small, but the measurements seem more like a Medium. I suspect it will be too big for me, at about a 36 jacket size, but would be interested in what experience others may have had.

The number reflects the sweater's actual chest measurement. Assuming you should have 4 inches of space around your chest when wearing a sweater, the size 42 should fit someone with a 38 inch chest (jacket size 38), which would make the 'small' sizing make sense.

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

The number reflects the sweater's actual chest measurement. Assuming you should have 4 inches of space around your chest when wearing a sweater, the size 42 should fit someone with a 38 inch chest (jacket size 38), which would make the 'small' sizing make sense.

Thanks 'foo. A 4" chest clearance seems very generous for a sweater. 2-3" seems preferable, which is why I thought it would be closer to a "medium", but I guess this would not be a traditional clearance. In any case, sadly too big for me, I think. I might go measure some of my Pringle sweaters whose fit I like and see what they come to.

I do like the look of them from the photos though, and the pricing is more sensible than some cashmere I've seen out there.

 

[aportnoy]

All this chatter has moved me. I ordered 7 of the William Lockie v-necks from A. Hume.

Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck - Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck
WL02 Colour: Camel
\t
Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck - Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck
WL02 Colour: Dark Navy

Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck - Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck
WL02 Colour: Flannel

Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck - Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck
WL02 Colour: Loganberry

Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck - Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck
WL02 Colour: Bottle

Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck - Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck
WL02 Colour: Madder

Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck - Melrose 2 Ply Cashmere Vee Neck
WL02 Colour: Lapis

 

[srivats]

^ Wow! You should def. post pics and your comments when you get 'em.

Now, what about the shetlands?

 

[JohnnyCrockett]

Originally Posted by furo

The BB cashmere sweaters I just bought are knitted and finished in Scotland, which means there was no exporting to complete the work elsewhere.

The tag even says "Made in Scotland" not "Knitted in Scotland."



My bad. I have one from the early 2000s which says knitted in Scotland. The new ones are indeed made in Scotland. Time to buy one...