I’ve been searching for good quality cashmere sweaters at an affordable price for awhile now. $100 or less per piece is my prefered budget since there is a chill in the air for most of the year up here and I need a good stock of sweaters.
I purchased a couple of J.Crew cashmere tees and vnecks last year but I was disappointed with the quality. Since JC’s sweaters retail for $150-$200 each, I was expecting them to hold up with out much pilling. This year, I decided to try Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft and compare the quality to J.Crew. I have heard many good things about AT and ATL cashmere but after trying them myself, I feel I may have been too hard on J.Crew…
I ordered the Ann Taylor cashmere vneck in XXS. I was hoping to avoid a boxy fit by ordering the smallest size they make. The sweater fits pretty well but the fabric definitely stretches out. I find myself repeatedly pulling it down over my hips through out the day. If I don’t, the sweater bunched up and look a little matronly on me. I purchased the vneck in Crimson. I expected it to be a true red but it is not even close. The shade is actually a deep pink wine color. I think a name like Port or another wine inspired name would have been much more accurate. Today is the third time I have worn the Ann Taylor cashmere sweater and I am finding is wears very similar to my J.Crew cashmere. There is a small amount of pilling under the arms and along the sides of the sweater. The body under the chest is definitely getting fuzzier. I expect by the end of winter it will be a dead ringer for my JC cashmere. The Ann Taylor cashmere is thicker and plusher than J.Crew’s. However, I do think that J.Crew is the still the softest to the touch. The Ann Taylor sweater almost has a ribbed knit, which I don’t really care for.
Ann Taylor cashmere vneck
You may remember I mentioned getting fed up with the shape of my J.Crew cashmere and throwing it in the washing machine. Of course I used the extra gentle cycle and laid it flat to dry. Not even I am crazy or lazy enough to put it in the drier lol. After coming out of the wash, my sweaters actually look surprisingly better! They bounced back into a nice fitted shape and the knit is less fuzzy. I still need to hit them with a sweater stone but I am much more pleased with them than I was earlier this season.
On to Ann Taylor Loft… I purchased the cashmere scoop neck sweater in XXS. The fit was larger than the Ann Taylor XXS. It is boxier with a lot more fabric under the chest. The Loft fabric is not nearly as soft as the other two cashmere sweaters. In fact, it really doesn’t feel like 100% cashmere to me and it is slightly abrasive. The knit is not plush and definitely thinner than the JC and AT sweaters. I’d guess that it is closer to a 14g although it is not see through. Unfortunately I cannot comment on how it wears because I have decided to return it. I just don’t think it is worth the discounted $63 I paid.
Ann Taylor Loft cashmere scoopneck
I have always preferred the (original, pre-stretched lol) fit and the colors offered by J.Crew cashmere. After trying Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft, I think I will be sticking with J.Crew as long as I can keep them in good condition for at least two pr three winters. That said, I will continue to stay in my budget and stick with buying JC sweaters once they have been marked down to $80 or less.
L-R: J.Crew, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft
Have you purchased cashmere from Ann Taylor or Ann Taylor Loft? How do you think they compare to J.Crew? Also, who is your favorite retailer for cashmere sweaters at this price point?
This might seem like a strange suggestion, but you might want to check out Target’s Mossmio Black line of “Ultrasoft” sweaters. I have a few and have had one of them for several years. They truly are super soft (as soft as cashmere, in my opinion) and better yet, they are washable (lay flat to dry) and cost less than $20, usually. They also wear beautifully–no stretching, minimal underarm pilling (at least for me). They come in crewneck and v-neck in lots of colors. It’s a good cashmere alternative for me!
http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Black-Ultrasoft-Sweater-Ebony/dp/B0029MYBDY/ref=sc_ri_4
I wear Macy’s Charter Club cashmere sweaters. I can usually get them for around $60 if I shop at the right time. They are two ply and super soft. Minimal pilling, in my opinion. The only problem is that they don’t come in anything smaller than Small, and frankly, Small isn’t even fitted on me, and I’m 5’7″ and 120 lbs. For me, the quality is nice enough that I can live with the fit being a little blousy.
Try Lord & Taylor’s cashmere! They offer so so many styles and colors, and they always have kick ass coupons so you can be sure to get a great price. I’m a huge fan, check them out!
I actually love Lands End cashmere. I have a 3 sweaters from last year, worn multiple times, washed multiple times and definitely not pilling. I am allergic to most wool and sometimes find cashmere itchy, but not the lands end ones. Also, being petite, I love that I can order my size and not have issues in sleeve length, body length, etc. They are also NOT boxy as some of the cotton sweaters LE sells. HTH
Great post!!! Has anyone tried Nordstrom-brand cashmere?
Laura- I will definitely check out those target sweaters, thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the suggestions ladies, I will look into each!
FaithJ- I haven’t tried Nordies cashmere but maybe someone else can comment
I’ve tried Nordstrom cashmere, and I like it- it fits pretty true to size, I wear an XS. I have 3 of their sweaters, and they’ve held up nicely for 2 winters so far. They also do have a petite department. HTH!
I’m sorry to hear that the quality is just not there. I only have 1 cashmere sweater (from J.Crew) but it was from several years ago. It is holding up really well – but I have heard that their quality just keeps declining. It’s a shame too, for the reason you mentioned, they are $200 a pop! I would definitely expect better quality…hmph!
I have to confess — I’ve been unable to “get” the fascination with J. Crew. I’ve shopped at J. Crew, at most, four times and all of that within the last 6 mos. or so. It never seems to be “all that” for me (Target is better quality IMO). I understand now that it’s because their best days are behind them. I can’t comment on AT, but since they are trying to emulate J. Crew, I’ll probably pass on them too. The best store brand cashmere in the $200 (or a little less) price range IMO is at Saks (at the end of season sales). It’s almost as good as Loro Piana.
I was interested in what someone posted on JCA the other day about frequent washing being *good* for cashmere . . . based on everything I’ve read I’ve heard it’s best to launder or dry clean clothes as little as possible so I try to spot clean and air out between wearings. My JC cashmere from last year looks so lousy that I’m willing to try a spin in the washer to see what happens.
I can’t seem to find the article on a google search, but a couple of years ago Mr. Hex showed me a story from The Economist that explained why cashmere quality is on the decline generally. IIRC it is because high demand has lead to cheaper Chinese cashmere from goats that are shorn more frequently (hence shorter fibers), in contrast to the better quality from the traditional locales. Or something like that.
Whether or not that’s the case, my older cashmere from JC, Nordstrom, LE, and the now-defunct tweeds looks so much better than my more recent purchases, which have all been JC. I was sorting though the strata in my sweater chest, and I think the decline in JC dates from around 2005.
I wish that LE had smaller sizes and more fitted shapes in their cashmere as most posters seem to say that the quality is great.
Love the topic! I have several J crew cashmere sweaters and they do pill. I tend to wear them sparingly to make them last longer. I also get out the sweater shaver every so often. I have tried Lands End but I think J Crew cashmere is much softer. I have an Ann Taylor cashmere from years ago and it has held up very well, but I have not tried any recent cashmere sweaters from them. I do have one cashmere short sleeved Merona turtleneck from Target from 2008 and it is one of my favorites! It is so soft and the price was so inexpensive. I was hoping they would bring them back this year but they didn’t. Shannon, I’m with you- I still like J Crew the best – the colors and styles are what hook me. But I always wait for the markdown before buying.
I recently bought a Hayden cashmere cardigan from Bluefly. I’ve worn it about three times, only for a few hours each time, and it is pilling. Maybe it is time for retailers to stop charging so much for cashmere.
All of my J Crew cashmere sweaters pill like crazy! I do love their colors but I am over them because of the lousy quality. After one wearing they look awful.
I cannot comment on the Ann Taylor sweater but I agree with the other posters about LE, they have good quality. I have started wearing JC 2009 cashmere sweater, it does feel different from previous years, my v-neck is stretching out after 1 wear. I am still not convinced that the 2009 JC version is any better than others years, I have read comments on other JCA blogs about receiving the JC Henley V-neck with a twisted seam. I believe the quality is declinng everywhere, I saw a cashmere sweater at BR it was so flimsy, and they usually have good quality cashmere.
Has anyone used the Cashmere Wash detergent by the Laundress to care for their sweater?
Great idea for a post! I also bought a Hayden brand cashmere (stylish/nice colors/fit well but not all that soft or thick) on Bluefly last year and wore it only once to then find it pilled pretty bad (underarms, typical places). I wear my cashmere less frequently but I buy J Crew cause they get me with the amazing colors, style and fit! I baby it and buy it on sale and I don’t think it’s that bad. I use baby shampoo to hand wash my cashmere, all the same stuff posted from that article on the JCA (my long-winded commentary from a diff blog I read). Ralph Lauren made the best wearing, thickest cashmere several years ago but I haven’t purchased recently. I love lots of Target items but a lot of the poly-type, Mossimo camis look pretty bad after a couple wash/wears. I don’t think JC quality is even comparable to Target and I am not knocking Target but it’s not quite the same IMO. J Crew still gets most all my $. Who knows…I think all retailers really have shown declining quality on the whole. Things truly are more disposable:(
Sweetsy- I agree, it is a disposable society we live in right now. I worry the economy will never turn around until our country learns to appreciate lasting quality over CHEAPEST.
Hex- I was the same way. Last year I barely washed my cashmere at all. The machine wash shrunk it up nicely but I don’t think it will be a long term pill solution for me. When it came out of the machine, the knit was smoother but once I wore the sweater all day is was fuzzy as hell again.
Jennlynn- I haven’t tried the cashmere wash but I think I will. Maybe that is part of the problem.. The fibers drying out.
Carole- I can understand why you don’t get the crew. Your style is positively avant garde compared to JC lol. Be careful though, it’s slippery slope. Once you go jcrack…
Hi again, Shannon! My earlier comment was intended to reflect on the quality for the price at J. Crew. They have *plenty* of cute things, but are *very* pricey for what you get. You’re right about how I would style the pieces for myself though.
TTYS, Carole
Shannon I have used the Cashmere wash save your money Woolite does the same thing. The Laundress soap makes the sweater soft and has a lavender scent, it does nothing for the pills. When I washed mine in cold water using this soap my sweater shrunk, and I have washed many sweaters by hand and they never shrunk.
While i admit i’ve only purchased hats, scarves, and gloves (rather than sweaters), I quite like Nordie’s cashmere. No pilling. I haven’t tried AT or Loft; i haven’t been enamored with any of their styles in cashmere. I’ve found that JCrew’s 12-gauge cashmere pills while i’ve had no issues with their lower gauges such as the 3-gauge Pavia sweater or the Butterfield from last year. Love them. I have to agree with Carole on the Saks cashmere. No pilling there either.
Unfortunately, i think the cashmere from most retailers is in decline, thin, or pilling, or other issues.
My name is Marie and I am a cashmere addict, LOL! All my cashmere though, I have bought on sale. Most of it is from Jcrew, I’m a fan of their crewneck & their henleys. My favorite are their Nolas (6-gauge) from last year, I bought all the 4 colors at close to $100 after the season sale. The lower gauge Nolas have not pilled. For the 12-gauge crewnecks & henleys, the pilling is minimal & not disastrous. Few strokes of the sweater stone and it’s gone. I’ve tried Land’s End but while there is less pilling, it is thick and not as soft as Jcrew’s, plus it’s boxy and the colors are meh. Probably because I wear it less, it does not pill as much. I’m probably in the minority but overall, I think Jcrew is a better value. With their recent 30% off + free shipping, I was able to stock up on their cashmere crewnecks for $74. I limit my Jcrew cashmere purchases only to the fall/winter season. Their higher-gauge spring cashmere is not a good value, it’s thin, snags & loses shape easily.
I like Charter Club and LE cashmere. I also have a cardi from Bloomies, a house brand, that has worn like iron with minimal pilling. I wash in the washer inside a sweater bag, on delicate, using baby shampoo as the soap, and dry flat. My sweaters are softer and fuzzier (not pills, but plusher) since I started this.
In general, though, I’ve decided to just stock up on merino. It’s just easier to deal with and wears like iron. I’m at a stage where I don’t really need the extra warmth, and our climate is in Missouri just isn’t as cold as it used to be.
Ooh this is a great post! I love cashmere comparisons as I’m always on the hunt for less than $100 cashmere. J. Crew, I think, is a bit over-rated & always cut too short for my torso. The sizing is also all over the place. However, you are right – the softness is beyond compare. My favorite is the pricey Black Label Ralph Lauren slim cut…but at $300+, it’s mainly out of my budget. Old Navy had some amazing cashmere hoodies last year and I scored a few for less than $40 (none this year, boo). I’ve tried Target’s Merona brand and it’s pretty decent, though more itchy. Bloomingdale’s Aqua (on sale) is probably my best bit. Good fit, soft, and long enough to cover my torso. I am interested in the Target ultrasoft sweaters that Laura talked about…worried about pilling though.
I have three Macy’s Charter Club cashmeres that have held up well for me; we’re going into our 5th winter together. The hand has body and warmth, and there’s minimal pilling. I air them out after each wearing, shave back the pilling, and spritz them from a distance with a favorite perfume, each of course with a different favorite perfume, and send them to the dry cleaners twice each winter.
I am a big fan of the jcrew cashmere sweaters though I have to agree that they are thinner and not quite the same quality that they used to be. I didn’t like their henley this year but the ruffle v-neck was a fantastic quality, felt like old school jcrew cashmere! Gotta pick and choose I guess! I also fell in love with Martin+Osa cashmere this year (in the under $200 category), I purchased their v-neck and v-neck cardiagans in about 6 different colors and have been wearing them like crazy for the past couple of months with minimal to no piling. They’ve been on and off sale and I just picked up several more for like $40-$50.
Great comments. Although I cannot comment on either AT, ATL, or JC cashmere I have to confess that back in the mid 90′s I bought a cashmere sweater from an outlet shopping mall near Washington, DC. It died about two years ago unfortunately. I believe that it was from a Chinese manufacturer. It was a thick black ribbed (entire sweater was ribbed not just neck or cuffs) mock neck boyfriend fitting style sweater. I have done multiple searches and can’t come close to duplicating it. Anyone out there that could help me locate something even remotely similiar to what I had? Seems to me that all the cashmere that I am seeing is so thin and probably would pill like crazy. Looking forward to any help that anyone can offer,
Thanks for the review! I am wondering, though – did you purchase the petite ann taylor sweater in xxs or the regular one in xxs? I’m thinking on buying one online, and our measurements are similar.
Hi Kat- I have the regular, not petite, XXS. I was worried the petite would not have enough sleeve length. I do have a little extra length in the regular and the sleeves seem to stretch with washing
Do you ladies wash your JC cashmere in the machine on delicate? Is there a lot of shrinkage?
Hi Marina, I always wash my cashmere (inside out) in the machine on wool/delicate and I put them few (max 5) minutes in the dryer, and hang them on a hanger. My cashmere look very good even after years (some of them are 10 years old.
i am a huge fan of jcrew but i must say their prices continue to increase while the quality decreases. i am not paying almost $40 dollars for a t-shirt that you can basically see right through. unfortunately i did pay full price for the striped tuxedo shirt and regret it. looking at it closely it is not high quality and after the second washing it has come apart at the seems. i will only buy things on sale there and now try to expand my shopping to other stores with cheaper prices and better quality. by the way…..the gap t-shirst are so much softer and last longer than jcew t-shirts. all my long sleeve shirts have shrunk and they just do not hold up as well.
Great blog! I am addicted to cashmere, and have purchased pretty much every brand there is in my quest for a perfect cashmere sweater like in the good ol’ times when cashmere was thick and did not pill. My best recommendation is Scottish cashmere, nothing compares. I buy a lot from Johnstons of Elgin, they are the only vertical mill remaining in Scotland — meaning that they purchase the goat hairs and spin it, dye it and make sweaters and all kinds of amazing knits –. Their cashmere DOES NOT pill and it is incredibly soft.
My second fav would be Brooks Brothers — look for anything that’s made by Colombo or Loro Piana. And my third is Ralph Lauren’s Black Label. It is a hit or miss with RL’s cashmere. I have bought sweaters that did not pill, and others that started pilling like crazy after a couple of wearings.
I love this blog! Like everyone here I am addicted to Cashmere. After it wears out I can’t give it up and I use it to sleep in the winter — this last winter when it was so cold and we had 30 inches of snow I wore mine layered and it kept me incredibly warm — that and silk T-shirts
As far as the comments — This year I loved the AT Lightweight Long Cardigan. I bought three of them and had to give them away to my sisters who live abroad thinking I could get another one. I’ve been looking for another one and that’s how I found this blog. They kept selling them out and I can’t wait for them to bring that sweater back. It was absolutely beautiful and wore really well.
I also like Vince and agree that Saks and Brooks have great cashmere that does not pill. For everyday office cashmere I go with Charter Club which depending on the store sometimes has nice designs but tends to be on the dowdy side but it is extremely inexpensive after Christmas. I have never bought at JC because of the prices, this year I loved their spring line but I couldn’t afford it.
I also recommend going to Loehman’s before the fall season. This year they had Theory cashmere for 80-120 and it was all over the stores later that season.
I also wash my cashmere in the wash on delicate with woolite and have discovered that with washing you loose a lot of the piling and it gets softer and fluffier and I actually love that. I have and Eddie Bauer crewneck that has lasted about 10 years this way and still looks great and has kept its true black color.
Anyway — bottom line I buy my cashmere whenever and wherever I spot a bargain — this year it was Ralph Lauren Black Label long cabled sweater coat at their Last Call. I know it will look amazing next year.
SO LADIES CASHMERE CASHMERE CASHMERE ROBES CASHMERE SWEATER DRESSES CASHMERE SPRING TANKS CASHMERE GLOVES CASHMERE SOCKS YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH CASHMERE!
Great information on this blog. I have found so far that the Neiman Marcus brand cashmere sweaters are excellent. Unlike some I get them at the outlets. They are pricey at full cost so the outlets are where I go. I probably have 10 or so of this brand so I would recommend them with some stars.
==) I actually just yesterday ordered a JCrew cashmere sweater so I’ll see how it hold up. If it doesn’t hold up for more than this year I’ll just not buy them again. I have gotten several from Banana Republic and have really enjoyed the feel and also they don’t stretch out of shape.
Thanks for everyones comments
I own about 20 (?) cashmere sweaters that I pretty much live in. My very favorite ones that have held up (Confession: I wash mine in the washing machine on super-gentile and dry them in the dryer on the lowest heat setting) are my Gap, J Crew and Ann Tayor. I have a bunch of no-name brand ones which are fine, but the fit isn’t as nice as my Gap and Ann Taylor.
I know it’s kinda sacrilege to wash them in the washing machine but they come out so clean and fluffy that it’s hard to justify dry cleaning them because it’s more expensive and they don’t feel as clean afterwards.