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Original poster

What makes a £400 cardigan 'worth it'?

161 replies

NiceSausage · 23/05/2023 21:39

I was thinking about this because the ONLY damn cardigan I have truly loved and which fits (perfectly) my ultimate criteria in many years of searching comes in at this price. Typical!

It is a cashmere loose fit v-neck from Johnstons of Elgin.
I have searched everywhere, from Poetry to Ebay to Vinted and have never been able to find the one in my mind. And then this turns up.

I could use my savings, which wouldn't be hurt by it, but it feels somehow off. I can't bring myself to do it. When I ask myself why, omitting financial constrains (which thankfully there aren't at the moment), it comes down to wondering whether the construction and source of this garment are actually worth it.

Does anyone know how this shit works?
How does a person qualify such expense for a transitory item? It mnight surely last for many years, but it isn't a holiday or a true life experience. I am not used to throwing money on expensive clothes.
But I adore it.

I don't want permission to purchase it, but would like some insider knowledge of why it costs what it does. I gather these are made in Scotland - great. But what does this cost truly cover? And is this just another item which lends someone status and not much else?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
BlackFlyChardonnay · 23/05/2023 21:40

Well, I need to see the cardigan.

crochetmonkey74 · 23/05/2023 21:42

Please can we see it

OP posts:
BlackFlyChardonnay · 23/05/2023 21:44

I think my criteria for determining if it's worth it are:

  • is it cashmere ✔️
  • is it timeless, rather than currently trendy?
  • could you wear it with many different outfits, and on many different types of occasions?
  • can you afford it? ✔️
  • do you really love it?

Imagine waking up tomorrow and they've all sold out and you will never own that specific cardigan. How would you feel? Gutted, or ambivalent, or relieved?

BlackFlyChardonnay · 23/05/2023 21:45

NiceSausage · 23/05/2023 21:43

Ok, might not be anyone else's cup of tea but it is the one i have been searching for, for years.

https://www.johnstonsofelgin.com/retail/light-grey-womens-gauzy-cashmere-cardigan.html

It looks pretty classic and timeless, so I think you'd easily wear it enough to get your money's worth.

Original poster
NiceSausage · 23/05/2023 21:47

Haha, no idea it if it's timeless, most might think it would be fitting for father ted, but it is my dream cardi! It has been in my mind for a long time and apart from the sleeve length (a bit too long), it is ideal.

It ticks the other boxes, but I would love to know what constitutes the price.

I make art and often sell originals for over £300, so I get the craft and work element, but even tho these are made in the UK, is the price a matter of inflation or is it justified?

OP posts:
SquirrelSoShiny · 23/05/2023 21:49

It's lovely but cashmere tends to get bobbles (if that's the right word?) which would put me off a bit.

Doggymummar · 23/05/2023 21:50

I would IMAGINE it's the quality of the wool. The style itself looks like many many cardigans SO it's not the design element. If you love it then get it.

electriclight · 23/05/2023 21:52

Whenever I have debated spending big sums of money on a luxury item, I have always ended up doing it, and never ended up regretting it. It is different if you splurge on a whim, or on something you don't really love, but that's not the case here. I hope you've already ordered it. Work out the 'per wear' price if it helps.

Original poster
NiceSausage · 23/05/2023 21:52

so what would be difference quality-wise to say john lewis (made in china?) and is china always bad?
I'm not that well up!

Unfortunately i actually can't find this style anywhere else. And i have really searched. Most are boxy, cropped, chunky or very long. This style is hard to find right now.

OP posts:
NatashaDancing · 23/05/2023 21:54

How does a person qualify such expense for a transitory item? It might surely last for many years, but it isn't a holiday or a true life experience

But clothes aren't a transitory item for me- holidays are. I'm not sure what a true life experience is.

Wiennetta · 23/05/2023 21:55

I’m guessing it’s cos it’s 100% cashmere and hopefully at that price point, v good quality cashmere. You can get cheap/thin cashmere. They also produce in Scotland so that’ll put prices up. And they buy some of their cashmere from sources with higher welfare/higher environmental standards.

As an aside have you looked at Navygrey and &Daughter? They both have grey cardigans at similar price points.

Original poster
NiceSausage · 23/05/2023 21:57

NatashaDancing · 23/05/2023 21:54

How does a person qualify such expense for a transitory item? It might surely last for many years, but it isn't a holiday or a true life experience

But clothes aren't a transitory item for me- holidays are. I'm not sure what a true life experience is.

I would mean something of an investment. And we are all going to differ in that of course. I am personally not familiar with dropping this much money on a single item of clothing, although I don't buy cheap stuff, am maybe more used to white co, etc.

I would usually spend this on travel or home.

OP posts:
electriclight · 23/05/2023 21:57

They claim to be using the finest cashmere and to still perform some parts of the process by hand.

But you are paying for the name, the fact that they've been doing it for 200 years, and the fact that they're paying UK overheads.

But you're also paying for the fact that it's your perfect, dream cardigan - and you can't find that anywhere else.

Order it and send it back if it is disappointing style or quality.

sleepwhenidie · 23/05/2023 21:57

It will be beautiful cashmere (and shouldn’t bobble). Comparable to Brora or Aethel quality and price. If you love it and will wear it for years then it will be worth it (the ‘what if it goes out of stock?’ Question by PP is always a good one!)

Original poster
NiceSausage · 23/05/2023 21:58

NatashaDancing · 23/05/2023 21:54

How does a person qualify such expense for a transitory item? It might surely last for many years, but it isn't a holiday or a true life experience

But clothes aren't a transitory item for me- holidays are. I'm not sure what a true life experience is.

Thinking further, Natasha, I am not you. Hence my OP.

OP posts:
Banjaxx · 23/05/2023 21:59

It’s gorgeous, treat yourself and love wearing it!

CovetedAsFuck · 23/05/2023 21:59

Something you’ll wear a lot, and take real pleasure or satisfaction in each time so that it plays a part in how you feel across many days, is probably just as significant as a holiday in terms of the impact it has. Maybe more so.

Original poster
NiceSausage · 23/05/2023 21:59

electriclight · 23/05/2023 21:57

They claim to be using the finest cashmere and to still perform some parts of the process by hand.

But you are paying for the name, the fact that they've been doing it for 200 years, and the fact that they're paying UK overheads.

But you're also paying for the fact that it's your perfect, dream cardigan - and you can't find that anywhere else.

Order it and send it back if it is disappointing style or quality.

This is helpful, thank you:)

OP posts:
Bluebells1970 · 23/05/2023 22:01

It's gorgeous. If you can afford it, get it.

I got a load of cashmere jumpers and cardigans from Woolovers this winter.. am so disappointed with the quality, one wear and it needs de-bobbling. I think most of the cashmere is inside my defuzzing tool Hmm

Dilbertian · 23/05/2023 22:01

Anything here?

www.purecollection.com/womens/cardigans?page=1&neck=40&fabric=58

fruitypancake · 23/05/2023 22:02

Life is short , buy the cardigan

Magicmagician · 23/05/2023 22:02

Have you felt it in real life? I think knowing if it’s lovely and soft and not scratchy at all would help with knowing if it’s worth it to you?

CottonPyjamas · 23/05/2023 22:02

I live around the corner from this place and my friend is a hand sewer there. She loves working there but was telling me about her orientation when she first started where she was shown how to shave down a thread in the higher end garments, if it was too thick. There really is an eye to detail. I have one of their 'cheaper' scarves (it was a Christmas gift) and it's sooo soft!

tribpot · 23/05/2023 22:03

Just make sure you protect it against moths! That would be my worry with such expensive cashmere.