Whistles cashmere - what's the quality like?

[suntodayplease]

I tried on a lovely oversized navy jumper yesterday, perfect shape and style for what I'm after, but hesitated to buy. Can anyone tell me what the quality of their knitwear is like?
Many thanks

Ooh I think it's the one I like. I have a thin summer weight whistles cashmere that seems to be wearing ok, but have had disappointments with (non cashmere) whistles clothes that would make me hesitate too.

I've only got one cashmere cardigan from whistles, it's ok but not amazing quality. I bought it in the sale and think if I'd paid full price I'd have been disappointed.

magso it's the Ettie cowl sweater, is that the same one? I'm looking for something slightly oversized as I'm 8.5months pg so ideally it needs to cover a deflating bump and easy access for bf. have you seen anything else similar?

Suntodayplease,

I tried that one! I loved it!! I really want to buy it but can't just yet... Hoping they'll still have some left before the promo runs out. I am a size 10 (there are no XS on the Whistles site now) but I tried the small on and, while it was extremely generous, that's the style of the sweater. The sales assistant said it looked great on me (even I thought it looked quite nice and I am incredibly self-critical)
I don't have lots of experience of cashmere (I have tried Boden's which was coarse and scratchy for me, if that helps) but it felt like very high quality cashmere and very soft to me, not thin either (better quality than the other cashmere sweater I tried on there - the Lily sweater.) I have sensitive skin and it certainly didn't give me 'the prickles'... I did have a thin top on underneath when I tried it but my neck was exposed and the cowl wasn't irritating me. TBH, I'll probably wear a very thin layer under it (if I can buy it!) anyway for extra warm since I feel the cold.
I could also recommend the Elena dress which I got in green. Same great quality cashmere as the Ettie sweater. Very flattering fit. Again, no XS instore but I tried the small and it was great.
It really is beautiful and the shade is a very rich navy. I could see it looking great with skinnies and nice boots. I was thinking of trying to get it and putting it away to wear around Christmas (I think it's just too nice for every day).
Anyhow, I would say go for it. Hope I don't cause a rush on it...at least not on size 'S'

Magso, I got the Annie Sparkle top and it seemed to go baggy and look like something I'd had for a long time very quickly. I also bought some tailored trousers with a concealed button which came off (despite them being a little too big around the waist) on the first wearing. Thankfully I had bought them at John Lewis and they arranged a repair free of charge (I did have my receipt still but had bought them 3 months earlier since when they'd literally hung in my wardrobe). I thought that very fair of JL. I have a knitted navy jumper with sequins all over it that has stayed really nice... Anyway, I digress... The Ettie sweater (and Elena dress) both seemed great quality when I looked at them in the shop.
Not sure I'd buy a coat, for example, from Whistles. I usually go to Hobbs for a coat...they last really well, but I like the two cashmere things I saw in Whistles so I'll take a chance and scream blue murder in the shop if they fall apart

Sunday... I did see something similar on Hush's site which might suit you although it's not really a cowl neck so much as a semi-loose polo neck (but works out dearer than the Whistles+promotion Ettie). Maybe others can attest to the quality of Hush's cashmere or a promo code may be available? Here's a link to the Hush one anyway (2 colours, light grey and charcoal):

www.hush-uk.com/images/daywear/all/poncho_grey_marl.htm?image=%2F%2Bv%3A6464c2%2Fproduct%2FPON6-GRY-01.jpg

www.hush-uk.com/assets/+v:6ebf85/product/PON5-DGY-01.jpg

The White Company has this (more like a poncho) and I don't know for how long but AC237 seems to still be working for 20% off and free delivery.
whitecompany.scene7.com/is/image/whitecompany/RNCPS_AW13_369_F?$Flyout778x778$
and
whitecompany.scene7.com/is/image/whitecompany/CBCDP_AW13_24_F?$Flyout778x778$

Massimo Dutto also has this:
a kind of cape in navy or beige

www.massimodutti.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/duttigb/en/30220002/724510/2756013/ARAN%2BKNIT%2BCAPE%2BWITH%2BTURTLENECK%2BAND%2BLEATHER%2BBUCKLES

:)

Trying Hush again for you!
www.hush-uk.com/daywear/jumpers_cardis/poncho_grey_marl.htm
www.hush-uk.com/daywear/jumpers_cardis/poncho_grey_marl.htm

Oh, I am dozy! Sorry..they might do and not bad at 80 quid. But here's the cashmere ones! Plain crew neck.
The red is particularly red...(shame I can't wear that colour!)
www.hush-uk.com/daywear/jumpers_cardis/cashmere_oversized_jumper_grey_marl.htm

Leo thanks for all your links! I appreciate I'm about to come across very fussy, but I've already discounted all of those options either because of colour or shape! I really want navy and the whistles sweater is the perfect shade, and I need to wear it under a coat so that limits the poncho styles although I've got the white company cream one hiding in the wardrobe

I was undecided between the M and L, I'm happy with the oversized nature of the sweater, but I'm tall so always worry about sleeve length. Both more than accommodated my rather large bump when I tried it on, I'm going to have to risk it and buy now as if I wait the Grazia code will have expired. Hmmmm what to do!
Thanks again

I have a couple of Whistles cashmere items and, while they're not up there with Brora (for example), I love them and have worn them so much. No problems with the quality. Cashmere will be just so lovely to wrap yourself in when baby comes and you feel like you need nurturing yourself. So cosy.
They can be bloody enormous though, if undecided go for a M.

Sunday, yes it was the navy cowl sweater I fancied. It certainly looked good quality, and felt very soft. I dropped some hints to DH but don't think he noticed. I will have to look out for the Gracia code if it isn't too late. That's how I got last years whistles jumper (not cashmere and still a favourite) via John Lewis.

I tried that today. The cashmere is lovely but even in XS I just looked like I was wearing a massive jumper and nothing special so it wasn't worth it for me. I have a small frame. I think sometimes their stuff suits taller people; sounds like you should go for it (I agree in the M)

Magso, I can PM you the code later if you like... You do need the mag if you actually go into store though (they ask you to fill in your deets). If you order online you just put the code in.
Magicberry: can I ask what size you are? I am a ten and tried the small (no extra small in stock so I've no idea how it'd look). The small did look massive on me but I figured that was the style... I really liked it and while it was also on the long side on me (I'm only 5ft3) I thought it looked okay... I did love it... The xs is sold out online so I'd have to ring around the stores to source a xs.. Hmm, not sure what to do now... Would appreciate knowing your height and size to help me decide whether or not to go for it - it is a beautiful shade of navy...
Hi Suntoday,
I would go for the medium if I were you...the small was very big. I can't really advise on the sleeve length except to tell you that I am quite short-limbed at only 5ft3 and I don't remember the sleeves being way too long or anything (I did try it on really quickly though). The model looks very tall on the website and the sleeves look fine on her so maybe worth going for? Your bump is going to be very happy snuggled up in cashmere (I agree that it is a beautiful shade of navy which is what really drew me to it) :)

Thanks for all the advice, decided to go for it in M after studying the models arms/ sleeve length for way too long! Roll on the baby making an appearance sooner rather than later and weather cool enough to wear it!
pleased its long enough to cover my maternity jeans which inevitably I will need to wear for the foreseeable future

Leo, that is very kind. I think from what you say I would need a xs as I am 5ft1 and a small framed but top heavy 8-10. I didn't have time to try it on when I saw it and they didn't have an xs. I love cowl necks, warm and flattering without the strangling factor!
Sunday hope it wears as beautifully as it feels and looks.

I know this is an old thread but did anyone buy the cowl sweater in the end as I really like it too but only want to pay so much if it is going to wear reasonably well...

I did buy it and disappointingly I wouldn't say the quality is great, I've a similar style from Boden and the quailuty of the cashmere is much better. The whistles one us really quite thin so I've been layering underneath already and even though I washed it in a cold wool setting in my machine I think the arms gave shrunk v slightly. That saying I do love the colour and style so it gets a fair amount of wear. HTH

Thanks for the reply suntoday. I have a three month old baby so am also drawn to the flattering (loose) style. Bit disappointing if its worse than Boden cashmere but they have just knocked 50 quid off so that might swing it.