What makes a £400 cardigan 'worth it'?

[NiceSausage]

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?

This is the image showing the arm length comparison (cream version on model)

I also like this grey hoodie from Poetry..

Loro Piana is indeed in a different league to Johnstones, but then it should be at 5 times more for a similar cardigan. Quality is unrivalled.

It's gauzy so I don't think it's worth it. Gauzy cashmere will wear through very quickly. Had it been a medium or heavier gauge yarn then perhaps

To be honest, looking at some of the photo's of it now I don't like the way it hangs. It isn't quite slouchy, more as if the seams are pulled.
Always a good thing to let something percolate in your mind for a while prior to shopping!

The images of the grey one were nice, I think it was tunnel vision

I think you answered your own question OP.

How long have you been looking for your perfect cardigan?

And you found it. And it's not cheap. Perfect things are never cheap.

And then the question is, what does this perfect thing mean to me?

How valuable is it? Why do I want it? What will it bring to my life/wardrobe?

And ignore the 'precious' posts, there's absolutely no point owning something so desired and then not using it.

Moths? I've had moth problems, moths love dark and dusty corners,

Keep your wardrobes clean, keep all your corners clean!

If you do have moths parasitic wasps are the best for long-term solutions. Three cycles and they are done for. Top up once a year.

Washing? Take no notice of the madness around cashmere, I put £1k pieces in the washing machine in a delicates bag, 20 or 30° with a wool wash.

Depending on weight I either hang to dry or press and then hang.

There's absolutely no point owning something that you're too scared to wear because of care of cost.

It's entirely possible to own expensive clothing, and wear it as everyday. There-in lies the joy.

Don't deify, it's just clothes, no matter how beautiful and precious, they have utility, use them, love them, that's why they exist.

Wise words...I have no problem taking care of things; cashmere, silk etc., but do tend to keep for best, which is ridiculous and annoying.
I have some moths, and many remedies....what are these parasitic wasps?
Can you tell me more? Where do you get them?

If you can afford it then go and buy it - enjoy it. Every time I doubt whether I should spend a lot of money on something, or try to decide whether its worth it and end up talking myself out of it I ALWAYS regret it and spend months kicking myself for my indecision.
Go for it @NiceSausage - you know you want to :) (Its gorgeous by the way but buy yourself a Cashmere storage bag to protect it from moths).

Order it and try it on with several different outfits. If you truly love it straight away, keep it. The slightest doubt, return.

Hi, I mentioned earlier that on closer inspection I didn't like the shape or proportions of the cardigan so am still looking for a nice, slouchy cashmere alternative!

I think the slouchy 90's/boyfriend style is off the market right now so sadly it will either involve waiting for it to return or locating an excellent stroke of luck second hand.

This has been such an interesting thread. So informative.

Parasitic wasps - I just googled this out of interest and it's like something out of a horror story https://www.pestfreegardening.co.uk/products/clothes-food-moth-control-with-trichogramma

Basically you introduce these tiny wasps into your wardrobe/drawers, they seek out and destroy all the moth eggs and then they die.

Nature is amazing. But also terrifying.

WTF!

I'm glad it's not just me who was, shall we say, surprised by the casual mention upthread of parasitic wasps as a solution to cloths moths @CharlotteRumpling ! (I may never sleep again)

TBH I am not very stylish, and my cashmere- hardly any- is Uniqlo or M and S. But was still reading because this thread was interesting. And then horrifying!

@CharlotteRumpling & @tribpot

Parasitic wasps are the best if you're going to have cashmere.

Really.

I use Darhonfli.

They are just small cards with the wasps in.

It's very clever.

You can't see them really.

(Well you can a bit when they hatch, but they are tiny. Really tiny ).

I wear cashmere and own about 10 pieces. Mostly Brora. I'm allergic to wool and cashmere is the only way I stay warm in the winter.

I'm not a rich person by any stretch.

I do find the cashmere lasts a very long time, often several years being worn regularly. Fitted jumpers tend to get holes under the arms within a few years tho.

I've bought cheaper cashmere but I get an allergic reaction and I believe cheap so called 100% cashmere is mixed with other materials like wool.

I have had no problems with moths. Just make sure to keep your drawers or closet closed all the time.

Expensive cashmere has to be hand washed. I ruined it in the past putting in the wash.

Is this the only Style & Beauty thread in the history of Mumsnet that requires a content warning?😃

I’ve just signed up to the Johnston’s of Elgin newsletter and came back to this thread to say that they give 10% off your first order with the code HYTEN. I see you have decided against the cardigan, though, @NiceSausage

Have you tried it on? Are you quite tall? The model is 5'9 and is wearing a small. The sleeves look quite long already and so does the torso. I'm 5'3 so this would be really long on me.

Not RTFT.
It's your dream cardigan so if you want it and have the money, get it.
You could spend that sort of money buying lots of 'it'll do' clothes that you won't even like.

It’s always worthwhile to RTFT …

I came here to say exactly this. I have lost cardis to moths and I was gutted even though they were a quarter of the price of the one being discussed here.