What colors do you like for cashmere sweaters?

TheFoo · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by haganah

Matt, are you looking in NY stores or purchasing from abroad?

Probably from abroad. Domestic prices are two to three times higher--plus, the selection sucks.

TheFoo · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by AThingForCashmere

If you mean quality of construction, yes that is still true. I'm referring to fiber and yarn quality. As evidenced by recent offerings from Ballantyne, Johnston's etc, these sweaters look thin and cheap compared to traditional Scottish cashmere, while Italian product, even though finished more for softness of hand than durability, is made from longer/better fiber, does not shed and simply looks better.

Interesting. Others here seem to strongly recommend against the Italian stuff. All I can say is that I value durability and craftsmanship over absolute softness.

A Y · Dec 17, 2009

I've been on a white kick recently, but I already have navy, black, red, light camel, and pink. And the first time you spill food on white is a

moment.

--Andre

ajv · Dec 17, 2009

I wear cashmere the whole winter season, directly on the skin. In all colors and shades, dark-blue, light blue, brown, red, orange, tan, grey, dark-green, olive-green, apple-green, pink, purple and so on. Most of them are made by Malo.

Adrian

pejsek · Dec 17, 2009

Don't take the austerity mongers here without a big pinch of salt. I think iammatt has a point. If you're going to go with s.thing plain wool shetland is often a better bet. But what about stripes or argyles? I have a cashmere crew neck in various stripes of vivid green, brown, pink, orange, red, and blue. Looks great under a Barbour jacket and whenever I wear it I always get compliments from a wide range of folks. A sweater with some sort of design highlights the fineness cashmere in a way s.thing plain never could.

And then there's the fabled Fred Astaire intarsia!

Wes Bourne · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by Holdfast

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Click to expand...

As sweaters are soundly outside my regular wardrobe system, I don't have any strong theories about what color to get.

I just love it when you type stuff like this...

Stuff like that usually set off my nerd alert.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I think the darker colors look better on me, like navy, since I have dark hair and fair skin. I normally hate accounting for skin tone, but for whatever reason, it appears to make a difference here, while it usually doesn't.

I think it does make a difference, whether 'here' or elsewhere and you should give it more consideration in your thought process. I mean, you can debate all you want about any given color's theoretical merits, versatility/ability to pair with other items in your wardrobe, but at the end of the day, if it looks like **** on you, what's the point?

TheFoo · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by A Y

I've been on a white kick recently, but I already have navy, black, red, light camel, and pink. And the first time you spill food on white is a

moment.

We have the same complexion and hair, don't we? How's the light tan working for you?

Originally Posted by pejsek

Don't take the austerity mongers here without a big pinch of salt. I think iammatt has a point. If you're going to go with s.thing plain wool shetland is often a better bet. But what about stripes or argyles? I have a cashmere crew neck in various stripes of vivid green, brown, pink, orange, red, and blue. Looks great under a Barbour jacket and whenever I wear it I always get compliments from a wide range of folks. A sweater with some sort of design highlights the fineness cashmere in a way s.thing plain never could.

I can get behind a pattern, but I think I need to get a couple of solids first.

aportnoy · Dec 17, 2009

I have a v neck in a soft denim blue that is killer.

AThingForCashmere · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Interesting. Others here seem to strongly recommend against the Italian stuff. All I can say is that I value durability and craftsmanship over absolute softness.

Many people do. I don't have recent personal experience with all Scottish companies, so for all I know some still are processing their own yarn from raw fiber and producing traditional Scottish quality sweaters. But trying to find out which companies are still doing that is like pulling teeth these days.. Lots of sidestepping going on.

Artisan Fan · Dec 17, 2009

Bottled green is my favorite.

Brown and heathered grays also look nice.

TheFoo · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by AThingForCashmere

Many people do. I don't have recent personal experience with all Scottish companies, so for all I know some still are processing their own yarn from raw fiber and producing traditional Scottish quality sweaters. But trying to find out which companies are still doing that is like pulling teeth these days.. Lots of sidestepping going on.

Well, supposedly, Johnstons is the only cashmere knitwear company in Scottland that is vertically integrated today. The people at Lockie told me over the phone that they do not make their own yarn, but all of their yarn is nonetheless Scottish made.

bmulford · Dec 17, 2009

For casual or outer wear, navy wool or wool/cashmere blends are nice.

If its going under an odd jacket, then I try and stick with colors closer to my shirts. Light to mid grey, oatmeal, light blue, white/cream.

Wearing black, navy or dark colors under odd jackets just looks wrong to me.

Wine can work, but far too often it looks Bill Cosby so I've stayed clear of it.

A Y · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by mafoofan

We have the same complexion and hair, don't we? How's the light tan working for you?

I believe so. I think it's OK, though it can be a bit pale. It depends on what else you wear with it.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Well, supposedly, Johnstons is the only cashmere knitwear company in Scottland that is vertically integrated today. The people at Lockie told me over the phone that they do not make their own yarn, but all of their yarn is nonetheless Scottish made.

I for one am glad that the eye of

is now gazing towards cashmere so we can all get the best stuff without the arduous research. Have you read Tom Mahon's blog post on cashmere? He starts talking about it in the 2nd half:

http://www.englishcut.com/archives/000210.html

The direct link to his favoite knitter is: http://www.simply-cashmere.co.uk/ The cashmere truths section is interesting.

--Andre

furo · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by bmulford

Wearing black, navy or dark colors under odd jackets just looks wrong to me.

Wine can work, but far too often it looks Bill Cosby so I've stayed clear of it.

Manton · Dec 17, 2009

Originally Posted by bmulford

Wearing black, navy or dark colors under odd jackets just looks wrong to me.

Wine can work, but far too often it looks Bill Cosby so I've stayed clear of it.

Black is awful, but navy is nice under a brown or lovat or any medium tone check.

I don't think Cosby ever wore a solid sweater in any color in his life.

What colors do you like for cashmere sweaters?

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