Cashmere jumpers - differences between brands?

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

I want a black crew neck cashmere jumper for the winter. I had one last year from John Lewis and went straight through the elbows. I've saved that one to harvest the yarn for repairs in years to come but it isn't really salvageable as a smart jumper for work.

Are there any major differences between, say, M&S and Uniqlo and Woolovers in terms of quality? They all look the same online and just interested in whether anyone has tried several brands and found one type better than another. JL have already sold out of the style in my size.

I really rate Uniqlo cashmere, though I find I have to size up - and I bought some John Lewis in the sale which I found really unimpressive, however, if you want high street cashmere that is AMAZING quality, I can really recommend Gap, I have Brora jumpers but prefer my Gap ones - that's how good it is!

The difference in quality (and sizing) between an M&S cashmere jumper bought 4 years ago and still my favourite, and one bought 2 years ago is noticeable. The newer one is thinner, smaller and disappointing.

I've got Brora cashmere bedsocks (!) and fingerless mittens and they are seriously warm and quality.

I'm glad I clicked on this thread. I have just ordered a cashemere combe, having never heard of them before today. I have a merino jumper that pills dreadfully, and have just bought a cashmere jumper, so hopefully they will continue to look good for the foreseeable future.

Cheaper cashmere isn't always ethical, have a look at what happens to the goats that produce the cheaper brands.

Brora is by far the best but not cheap. Their sales are decent but you’re unlikely to get anything in black.
I got a black boyfriend style cardigan, size small, for 50% off 2 weeks ago in the Kings Rd store, I’ve had several other amazing bargains from there over the years. I also find Uniqlo pretty decent though. And a cashmere comb is a must regardless of brand. Like just about everything from there these days JL is shite.

I’ve got a couple of the boyfriend style from Pure and they’ve been very good and lasted several winters. They are half the price of Brora. My Boden ones are all fine too. I’ve also got a nice one from Me & Em but that was more expensive and is a chunkier weight. I also like the fine merino crew neck sweater from Celtic & Co for work, warm but very lightweight and tidy for Teams calls.

If you’re anywhere near Scotland the outlet shops in or near the mills have some brilliant bargains in top brands. That’s where I get mine though I have a couple from M&S that have been nearly as good.

I tried Uniqlo recently but was very disappointed, the cashmere jumpers were very thin and not a patch on my John Lewis cashmere jumpers. I've just got one from woolovers, quality seems good but too soon to say whether it will pill.

Thank you all for the suggestions 😊

The last John Lewis cashmere cardigan I bought went into holes on the seams around the neck and sleeves.

They wouldn't allow an exchange because I had bought it a few months earlier although I had only actually worn it a few times. I offered to send it to them to assess what was wrong and sent photos but they wouldn't budge. I won't be buying from them again.

@faustina

I really rate Uniqlo cashmere, though I find I have to size up - and I bought some John Lewis in the sale which I found really unimpressive, however, if you want high street cashmere that is AMAZING quality, I can really recommend Gap, I have Brora jumpers but prefer my Gap ones - that's how good it is!

Agree. I have cashmere from Brora, JoE, Jumper 1234, Skull 360 or whatever it's called, Uniqlo, M&S, and Gap, and the Gap stuff is by far the best.

Thomas Pink is worth a look - the quality is as good as Pure used to be and the price is on a par with M&S

My Uniqlo from last year is a horrible Bobbly mess my 5 year old jcrew is still perfect despite being machine washed.

I have just bought an n peal form the outnet which I am hoping will wear like my j crew one. I do find the more expensive brands are better sadly. Haven’t had M&S or JL though.

I’ve got 3 cashmere jumpers from Hush and they’ve held up well. Run a cashmere comb over them occasionally.

Pure used to be good as did JL, my older JL cashmere is less pilled than the more recent one

All cashmere pills, so definitely pick up a good cashmere comb. Nearly all of my jumpers are from Eric Bompard. With care, they've lasted me many years.

To care for them, I: machine wash each in sweater bags on cold gentlest cycle with a gentle cashmere/wool soap, reshape and lay flat to dry, store folded in cedar-lined drawers to keep away moth. Use cashmere comb whenever I notice pulling, usually a little bit two or three times per season. Everything gets put away freshly washed with cedar at the end of the season.

Cashmere comb is a must. Have m and s ones over 4 yrs old and perfect. Last one bought 2 years ago had to take it back as not a patch on older ones. Have two jeager ones both bought in sales. Never date about 8 yrs old now and as g99d as new. Cold wash in woolite dry flat.

I used to live in a quite swanky bit of London (we had fantastically cheap rent from a very nice landlady) and I used to buy all my cashmere from the charity shops round there. Expensive Scottish cashmere (especially vintage) does not bobble and is SO much better quality than high street stuff. It's often 4 ply too so way warmer.

try Repeat cashmere

Hobbs cashmere is really good, and so is JL for the price. I’ve got a couple of la redoute cashmere jumpers and while I agree they are lower quality they’re the only cashmere jumpers I have that haven’t really shrunk over the years.

My husband wears House of Bruar cashmere and I agree it’s really good, hard wearing and thick. I’m looking at a long haired cashmere cardigan from all saints which is super thick - i think buying in person is better as you can see how thick and tightly woven each piece is

I’m relieved that other people have had problems with JL cashmere - although sorry that others have had the same issues. I thought it was me, but I’ve had holes appear at the seam on 3 out of 4 items I bought. Such a disappointment as they weren’t cheap and I thought I would have them for years.

I find JL cashmere really thin. I much prefer my M&S cashmere, I’ve just bought a few M&S this season and happy with the quality.
I do like Pure Collection too.
Can’t afford Brora and also I like to have plenty so I can rotate them/aren’t spending the whole time delicate washing