Should I keep the Brora tank?

[LoveSandbanks]

I ordered a Brora cashmere tank in the sale. It's still £225 which I consider a pretty large sum for a single garment. The colour is amazing, I love the colour but I'm erring on the side of sending it back but then worry that I'll regret not keeping it?

It looks shit without anything underneath it (on me at least) and I had visions of wearing it over shirts. I don't currently have any shirts. The only thing I've got that I could wear under it are some long sleeved t-shirts.

Or I could order a few shirts to wear underneath it before I make a decision?

It's the ONLY item of clothing that I've bought this Winter, apart from a pair of loafers (from Russell and fecking Bromley). I have made a few things tho'

OMG. In short, is this an investment piece that will last forever, if I look after it, or is it too indulgent especially as I need to buy things to go with it (that I was going to buy anyway ...)

I am sympathetic, OP. I agree with other posters in that I think the V is too high (WHY do designers do this? If it’s going to be that high just make it a crew neck…), which makes is harder to wear if you have any amount of shoulder or boob.

Personally I like plain cashmere and would always choose it over patterned, but garment shape is everything to me! Deep v tanks are hard to find right now. I think the cardigan shape someone else has posted would likely be more flattering.

It might be that the lack of bra is distorting the image somewhat but it doesn't look great. Try it on properly today and see if you can make at least 5 outfits. I have about a dozen tanks and wear them almost everyday. From geometric vintage Primark ( I know),to Fairisle pendleton, via jigsaw topshop and m and s. They all add to the outfit pulling it together. I wear over vintage collared blouses, roll necks and sweater dresses. I have a 32 GG chest and they dont look frumpy at all. My arms aren't toned enough to wear them standalone. I have a few brora pieces but I'm not sure that one would make the cut for me.

Don’t mean to be rude but it doesn’t flatter you , v too high and it looks too small . You can buy much better .

I would also send it back. It doesn’t do anything for you. The high v, the colour and it is a little small on you.

Hmm … I’m so accustomed to having my choices and suggestions ripped to shreds here, that I’m reluctant to drag another person down for spending money on something I wouldn’t. But it’s pretty dull and doesn’t flatter you.

But more importantly, it’s causing you stress rather than ecstasy. And you’d have to buy other garments to make this one wearable? Seriously, why bother?

£200 is pretty standard for decent knitwear - but there's no reason why you shouldn’t be able to find something you actually love, that makes your wardrobe work better.

(I don’t buy from Brora, neither provenance nor design appeal to me.)

Is Margaret Howell on your radar? They’re right at the end of their sale, so some knitwear is within your budget. You can’t get better quality, provenance or wearability (as well as being permanently cool / fashionable / stylish). Take a look:

https://www.margarethowell.co.uk/

Or consider:

https://www.studionicholson.com/

Or (bearing in mind my ripped to shreds comment above,) the most joy it’s possible to have in knitwear form, and breathtaking made here quality:

https://www.lafetiche.com/shop/

(Scroll for beautiful, plain, sale items within your budget. Apologies if link draws endless tedious and repetitive posters to your thread. The jumpers really are lovely.)

For that much money I think you will definitely find something that looks better! I would send it back and I don’t think you will regret it!

I agree with the above completely. If you aren't sure how to make it work with what you have you won'y wear it and won't justify the cost.

It doesn’t sound as if tank tops work for the OP at all, though. But it’s so easy to fall in love with a colour and ignore everything else.

Honestly OP, you’re crazy
send the damn thing back. Far too much money for something so basic

J Lewis had their own versions of that ( round neck) for far less money.

It doesn't look worth over £200.

Sorry.

And it looks too tight on you to put a T shirt underneath.

£200 is pretty standard for decent knitwear

It really, really isn't. Most people cannot afford that kind of money.

J Lewis and Boden both had cashmere for more like £100 (reduced even more in the sales) and they are good quality.

I completely agree @Gremlings .

I actually prefer pure wool, whether that is merino or something else, to cashmere. Wool is easier to care for and looks better for longer imo but maybe that's just me.

No, no, and no. For that money you should be literally purring when you put some lovely knitwear on, not asking strangers to tell you it’s lovely when it’s not. Sorry.

Joining the chorus of ‘no’. You could have so much better for the money.
Look at the quality of these for similar money. I have the spiral vest and it is utterly beautiful.

It seems tight under the arms and the neckline isn’t flattering, so I think you should send it back too. For that kind of money, I think you should really love it.

Woolgatherers Workshop

Link didn’t work in original post..

Oh this is a rabbit hole here! “Decent” can have quite a few meanings.

For many, decent will just be natural fibres, and that’s fine. That’s the level of decent I tend to stick to myself, and for that Uniqlo, M&S and John Lewis all have cashmere at £100. However, even I noticed that many “nice” high street brands were charging £200 for cashmere this year. I fell in love with a gorgeous Jigsaw brushed cashmere jumper this year that I will not be buying!

For others “decent” knitwear will be natural fibres, British manufacture (or even handmade!), quality construction methods, etc. It’s not just a label, it’s a whole ethos that adds the value. That tends to be out of my personal price range, but I will not deny it’s a better quality garment just because I can’t afford it myself.

It doesn’t do anything for you.

I'm seriously considering adding this to my collection. It's so beautiful

I actually think it fits fine. I don’t hate the v neck either.
It sounds like you really like it so keep it 🤷🏻‍♀️
and make yourself wear it! 😆

I'm totally in favour of spending money on lovely clothes and I'm assuming the op can afford it. I just don't think Brora are worth that kind of money any more. I also dislike the way they trumpet their Scottish heritage while talking evasively about where their clothes are actually made - they're certified B Corp so they do meet ethical standards but when you drill down, little if any of it appears to have been made in Scotland.

I'd look for a name like Harley of Scotland who do knitwear in the most beautiful colours. I think they also have a collab with Celtic and Co at the moment (although there was no sign of any tank tops last time I looked).

From a fit point of view, I always upsize at least once with a tank top and I often prefer the fit of mens'. I also like the buttoned up ones because you can vary the neckline.

Harley is one of my go tos @Floisme , my oldest cardigan from them is from 2004. Harley also used to make for J Crew.

I completely get what you’ve said about Brora too, but in the sale I think it trumps what’s available quality wise on the high st

I agree. And a shirt would not fit under it.

Send it back. It doesnt fit you and its not flattering. It also looks cheap. Keep looking for that investment piece, you can do much better.

Omg woollen knickers. I’ve heard of these. My grandma wore them as a girl. £480 a pair… 🫣