Tell us about the brand. Do you like it?
Tell us about 2 ply v's 6 ply. Is 6 ply worth the extra price?
http://www.johnstonscashmere.com/retail/mens/cashmere-and-merino-sweaters.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnstons_of_Elgin
I've been becoming a real knitwear snob lately, but maybe not enough of a snob to buy these vicuna scaves:
http://www.johnstonscashmere.com/retail/accessories/vicuna.html
Pretty good stuff; perhaps not up to the quality of the old Scottish stuff which is no longer made (RJMan, IIRC, wrote of the demise of the best of the Scottish cashmere makers a few years ago -- Ballantyne or someone like that, whose brand is now used but product made in Italy), but the cashmere is well made, soft but doesn't pill very much.
Often available here for much less (always additional discount codes for 20% off): http://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~elgin-sweater/?perPage=96
I don't know that the additional plies add too much, though they will be heavier and warmer, so it may depend on what you want them for. I don't know that the heavier weight/warmth would be so great for Australia. I bought my wife a heavy (I presume 6 ply) sweater from Johnstons a number of years ago, and it is lovely.
Johnston s is probably some of the best stuff you can still get out of Scotland. I have a cardigan, two v necks and a cable knit from them.
Last edited by The_Shooman (2015-10-08 08:35:36)
Last edited by The_Shooman (2015-10-08 16:51:45)
A great thread.
I am struggling to find good sweaters, be it in wool or cashmere.
I used to buy Cordings' lambswool sweaters. Standards fit, not slim. Robust. But there are not "keepers", if you know what I mean. Disposable.
Then I tried N Peal, mainly because I was mesmerized by the Art Deco feel of their little shop in Burlington Arcade. Well, slim fit, tiny V-neck openings. Metrosexual stuff.
Tell you what are bad value...Smedley's. They just seem to gain holes from nowhere. My longest serving sweater is a cashmere and silk mix by Sergio Nesci of Rome. Fantastic quality but I only bought it because it was 70% off in a sale. I'll be gutted when it finally gives up.
I've been looking at those sleeveless cardi's on Cordings site. They look nice but I'm not keen on buying them online without trying one on first.
Would you recommend the Paine knitwear Cat? Seen a nice crewneck in burnt orange a few days back in lambswool. Didn't really look at it properly. Just caught my eye in the window.
Well, the knitwear at Cordings is no-nonsense, sturdy stuff - nothing fancy, nothing fashionable. Reasonably priced, and available in many colours. You cant go wrong.
To quote Bop:
"The provincial English country look I see on my tours of this great isle are Corgi socks, Magee jackets, various own brand cords that look like they're just rebranded pakemans, Cheaneys & Loakes...and those geometric, inca style belts from Argentina they sell as dog collars as well...the shirts are normally Fynch Hatton and the jumpers are Alan Paine, Peter Scott or Johnstons...Gurteen always rears its ugly head
The colors are jewelled...the fabric is tattersall...the over checks on tweeds are loud...the underwear is novelty..the shoes are the best bit...the socks are striped...there's a lot of paisley cravats.."
I have not seen a cravat in a long time.
Ha ha ha Fnych - Hatton, they look like Peek & Cloppenburg's ground floor shirt department's special.
And Gurteen - just looked it up. How great. Proper non-i-gent territory. Bet their customers drive a Rover (as in Rover 75).
Lands' End used to make great sweaters. I have a couple of old (probably from the '80's) cotton crewnecks that are practically bulletproof. They're so thick and heavy that if they were made of wool I probably couldn't wear them without dying of heatstroke. Over a button-down and under a tweed jacket they're just the ticket for a cold day. No overcoat needed.
I can't speak about their current lineup, but they might be worth checking out.
I fondly remember Peter Scott's knitwear, ordered online at "The Mens Room"(?)
The best cut jumper I have is a Peter Scott...is has a cut that actually compliments a persons shape with out looking fitted or tight...a bit like those shirts that ralph did that made fat men look thin