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 ...)

Agree with you because actually sometimes certain clothes look nicer on a regular person !
I’m stuffed then because I am short so with that reasoning then I look crap in everything and actually I look nice in some things

Check out Nearly New cashmere online . They have great quality stuff for a good price.

As for M&S cashmere - it’s fine for the price point. And I have quite a few every day priced from there. But compared directly with Brora or other higher end brands the quality is really inferior.

Absolutely, the first me and em cashmere jumper I got, and I use them as it’s the only cashmere pieces I have past markies, I couldn’t believe it was even the same material, it’s fine for fhe price point, but in no way comparable. With the more expensive stuff you can tell my look, touch, feel of it immediately.

however I exclude the ops vest as it just doesn’t look good at all for the price point and if she’d not said it was cashmere I’d not have guessed. But as it doesn’t work on her that maybe what’s putting me off.

Mine is the full sized lk150 it can definitely knit mohair and cashmere. It’s very versatile.

My test is always, does it arrive and I want to wear it THAT DAY. If I don't, or I keep putting it on and taking it off, or if I feel I need to buy all sorts of other pieces to make it work, it near guarantees that it will hang unworn in my wardrobe.
Send it back. I am always in favor of paying for high quality but this isn't the right shape for you. Too tight, too high a v-neck. And it doesn't go with anything in your wardrobe. (Those saying that a 100GBP cashmere sweater is lovely and just as nice don't know much about cashmere. I recently bought a $500 cashmere sweater (from the Italian brand Falconeri) and would NEVER buy inexpensive cashmere again. I also have a Brunello Cucinelli cardigan and a Loro Piano cashmere sweater. Both were over $2000. The Falconeri is the same quality of yarn. Cheap cashmere is made with shorter fabrics, so it pills, bobbles, and loses it shape pretty quickly. It is from China rather than Mongolia and the cashmere goats are raised in factory-farm settings, their fur pulled roughly, and coarser fur from all over the body body. Compare this to the highest quality cashmere, where the yarn is brushed from the parts of the goat's body which have the softest, longest, fibers, the undercoat, during the natural shedding cycle. A goat in these conditions will produce about 4 oz of fiber a year! 4 oz!! This expensive cashmere feels like the softest, but also densest fabric you have ever touched. It is plush but also has an almost gleam to the fibers. And it will stay gorgeous for years. I completely understand that, for some, 100 pounds for a sweater is A LOT, 500 unthinkable, and 2000 plus sickening, but real fabric costs. If my budget was smaller, I would be looking for the brands I know are superb second hand instead).

I was going to say, OP, the body underneath looks fabulous!!! 🤩🤩🤩

The top... less so.

I'm a maniac for ordering the wrong thing. These things happen!

I love the idea of a tank and they always look cool on models, but I've tried a few and cannot make them work. They just make me look square, top heavy and depressingly meh. I'm tall, maybe they look cute on shorter people?

I don't think it's to do with the neckline, it's more the short length and the added bulk from whatever it is you're wearing underneath. Which has to be the right colour and texture to work. Also, tanks 'n' shirts aren't warm enough on their own, so then you have to wear a cardigan or jacket... so what's the point!

All in all, a problem garment. And that's a lot of money to pay for one. I'd return.

Agree with others. Too pricey to not be a 10/10 thing you feel amazing in. I would return it.

This is an interesting post because I bought a Brora dress. It really isn't as the image portrayed, and I still like it and (like you), I love its colour but it doesn't fit perfectly... and I will need to buy other items to go with it!

I do not usually have issues with clothes not fitting as expected but at the same time, I have not sent back the dress, and had the same conversation with myself that you are having!

I almost feel as if it's a case of, 'You were the one indulgent item I bought for myself to wear, and if I send you back, I won't buy again.'

I think I would urge you to send it back and not get stuck with something expensive that you might never wear, like me! :) I bought the dress in the middle of last year; I haven't even taken it out of the box since. In fact, I have no idea where it even is.

And what's crazy is I just bought two shirts from Temu and they are amazing! I love wearing them ... and they cost me about a tenner each. I think Temu is upping its game. Also had many items from Amazon Haul and love those too. All these cheap items fit perfectly and don't need me to spend on other items.

Sorry to say but I agree with PP saying it doesn't fit very well. For that price you deserve to look and feel like the proverbial million dollars. I think you need a more generous fit.

Try looking elsewhere and definitely do not buy Brora at this price. I have actually rediscovered Benetton for their lovely wool knitwear at very reasonable prices.

It doesn’t look like it costs 200£, I’d send it back

I’d go with a straight or crew neck long sleeve underneath and see how that works - I think the photo you’ve shown has a t underneath with the neck lower than the v of the tank, so that makes it look a little unbalanced. Also if you’re going with navy trousers, a navy top underneath could look good and give you a bit of colour blocking that will make the tank stand out more.
If you like it and will wear it, then go for it, although I do agree with others about checking Vinted for a bargain.

I think it looks nice enough for a high st buy but I wouldn't of expected it to cost that much.
I've nothing against spending big bucks for investment pieces but if you are spending that much then you should already have several items/outfits from your wardrobe in mind that it will work with, at least then you know it will get some wear.

I’ve got one from next that looks loads better than that (we’re the same size) for less than £30

I agree - this one is much much better!

Brora is really high quality wool, I doubt the Next one is. The style itself might look much nicer though.

No, it's too short for your shape and looks like it came from peacocks

Sometimes the cheaper stuff is less upkeep though. I've only ever had a couple of natural fibre items and they got eaten by something....the synthetic stuff however is inedible and so good as new!😂

If you’ve moths you can get little ceder discs on amazon to place in your wardrobe which gets rid of tnem.

I really like it but agree that it’s not £200 good.
Honestly, I think you could pick up an ancient St Michael’s version in a charity shop. It’s an absolutely classic style and colour.

I don't think the tank's worth the money. Plus you're finding it tricky to style & for that reason alone I wouldn't keep it.
Why not look at Nearly New Cashmere they have a range of new Cashmere tanks that are from the UK/Scotland. They're thick cashmere apparently & in a range of colours for under £100.

I agree it's a bit too average-looking for that price. £40 on Vinted, fine - but otherwise no ...

I like the looser shape of this wool one, if you're stuck on the burgundy/navy combination?

https://www.wyselondon.com/products/fleur-merino-tank-deep-fig

I also like this - cashmere, but camel (which also goes with navy & I think this might be the look you're aiming for??).

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-cashmere-sleeveless-knit-vest/camel/p113835631

Wool & V-neck, though only navy or pale pink - but again shows it with a T-shirt & loose trousers.

Personally I don't like shirts under them - they always disturb the line of the knitwear & look lumpy & bumpy. Long- or short-sleeved T-shirts are much better.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-v-neck-merino-wool-sleeveless-jumper/navy/p113744926

I'm sure you could find similar in a plum/burgundy dark red colour. I like the Whistles & Boden ones posted above in those colours.