Shall we compare cashmere?

[NicolaSeven]

Just interested to see how different brands stack up. I have a cardi bought from Banana Republic five years ago which is flawless.

Yet I am combing the bobbles off a brand new Pure sweater like a motherfucker.

Is brora worth the investment? What else is good?

[Jojay]

I bought a very old John Lewis (Jonelle brand) cashmere cardi in a charity shop and it was amazing. I machine washed it, tumbled it, buised it in every possible way and it still looked perfect, until it very sadly wore out on the elbows - sob! I still miss it now

[PasswordProtected]

I have loads of cashmere. The Pure stuff is actually ok from a pilling point of view, Repeat is good as is Feldbausch, bought in Switzerland. The best cashmere I ever had was Marco Pecci, I think, bought in Germany.
I do now have a cashmere "razor" for the bobbles, but haven't used it yet.
M&S always looks good, but they have such odd colours and styles.

[MotherBluestocking]

I think Brora is worth it. It doesn't pill and it is noticeably softer and denser than other brands. It also improves with repeated washing.

[dexter73]

Brora is great.

[Fozzleyplum]

I buy Brora and Pure Collection. PC is fine, but Brora is, IMHO, unbeatable for quality. The main reasons I prefer it are the softness and the heathered colours. As I understand it, the longer each fibre, the softer the cashmere and the less prone it is to pilling; one of the reasons for Brora's high price is that they use only long staple cashmere. Also, they use several colours to make up each shade, giving a heathered effect.

The downside is that I like only a couple of the styles that they do - but I have several colours of each and wear them almost constantly. They wash very well. I try to wait for the sale, which is usually late than the other January sales.

[scarlet76]

M&S is good but their styles and colours this season are not to my liking.
Boden I find hit and miss. Ordered a cropped cashmere cardigan that felt more like lambswool than cashmere. However have a well fitting cashmere jumper that's doing well.
Have some nice Hush cashmere wrist warmers but haven't tried anything else.

[faustina]

Brora, although some of it does get bobbles. Also JCrew. A bit cheaper, Gap is very good too.

[Bellebelle]

Bought two J Crew cashmere jumpers a couple of months ago, really impressed so far but longevity still to be seen...

[higgle]

I have a bit of a collection, mainly vintage and nothing beats a nice Pringle, Dalton or other scottish cardi from the 60's. Not only is the quality better than most modern cashmere but you can find features such as tie necks and printed or intarsia patterns.

Of my newer stuff Brora is definately the best, though I can't really afford even the sale so have bought some off ebay and some final mark down pieces. The thick four ply aran style cardi is just heaven to wear, you feel as if you are being snuggled in a cloud.

M&S is decent quality. I'm disapointed in my Boden cardi, only bought it to match a dress from there and won't bother again. I also have one Tesco jumper ( F&F) and although that is not as soft it washes well and is a reasonable weight.

[BikeRunSki]

I have 3 year old Boden cashmere hooded jumper, which i wear several times a week and it still looks new.

[Aquelven]

Brora don't produce their own knitwear, they just sell & distribute it. All their cashmere is manufacture by Johnstons.

[Aquelven]

Manufactured, sorry.

[NicolaSeven]

Interesting re vintage cashmere. I find Brora's prices a bit terrifying. Aqua is that johnstons of Elgin?

[SteppedOnaFrog]

I picked up a Johnstons of Elgin shrug from a charity shop and it was the softest I have ever felt. Very warm too.

Autograph is fine but it does shrink despite careful washing.

Boden has proved disappointing. The cropped cardigans I have had haven't worn well and they aren't the softest.

Repeat is very good quality.

John Lews Weekend cashmere is very substantial and wears well.

Tescos looks ratty after a couple of washes.

[higgle]

I have a lovely sagey green Brora V neck that I got from ebay for £20 because there was a tiny hole that had been well mended. I've worn it at home for dog walking etc. for 5 years now and it still looks lovely - dog pinches it and takes it to his bed if I leave it lying around.

[Poodlehorse]

Johnstons of Elgin is fab quality and does not pil

[Laska42]

John lewis ones very good have 3 which ive had several years and none have pilled, I also have two cardis from Sainsburys Tu about a couple of years ago and they are good also .. but i've lost a lot of weight since then though so may have to ebay them (or just wear them as lounge tops at home , which might be a better bet as I never seem to get much for stuff on ebay these days best ) but have just got a new 'seconds' M&S cardi from an ebay business seller for £30 here and here for sweaters its arrived and looks good , well see (btw this seller also does M*S heatgen thermals too.. very good -I'm not the seller nor know them)

[Fozzleyplum]

Would agree about Johnson's of Elgin; their mill produces the Brora garments. If you're ever driving on the A9 near Pitlochry, stop in at the House of Bruar. They sell Johnson's cashmere and often have it in their clearance shop. The cashmere/silk mix is also very soft and hardwearing.

[Corygal]

Johnstons is heaven - thick and soft and lingeringly delish, gets better with age too.

[MaeMobley]

I was not impressed with Boden & Landsend cashmere.

Has anybody bought NPeal? or Tse?

I agree with others regarding Scottish vintage cashmere.

[hermioneweasley]

J Crew is excellent

one from La Redoute has gone a bit bobbly

[Laska42]

If any of you have the cash for Johnstons of Elgin (I dont) they have 20% off today
code LAE2013

[FreshLeticia]

Hmm, I have a selection from Tesco to Brora. One of the best quality ones is an old Johnstons one, it has gone dense and smooth. I am currently on the sofa in PJs wearing a dusky pink Brora ballet wrap cardi I found for £8.
Even the Brora ones pill at first but i find that after a few washes and shaves they settle down and remain the same for years.
I also have quite a few Woolovers cashmere merino cardis and they are good too, machine washable as well. With all of these I think it is important to stick with classic shapes and colours.
Fashion shapes and 'this season' colours are ridiculous in cashmere frankly.
Anyone have any White Company or Wrap London cashmere? Are they decent?
Also I have a Figleaves grey drape cardi which i have worn over my PJs for years but which is sadly 'going home' with holes in the elbows. Anyone darned cashmere successfully?

[belledejour]

I have two items of White Company cashmere – both very disappointing, the wool feels like lambswool.
Another vote for Repeat...am sitting typing in snug Repeat scarf, not a bobble to be seen after 3yrs.
Also agree J Crew is good.

[SauceForTheGander]

I have some from Hush and Brora. Brora good but way to expensive and stressful to own as a result. I won't buy again. Hush is reasonable and do a nice navy.