Cashmere Sweater Hierarchy

[Rubenowl]

off topic but was curious if anyone had feedback on Kiton Cashmere sweaters. I have Cucinelli cashmere and it’s great wanted to know if it’s better or just as good as cucinelli, since it’s a significant investment. Seems very soft but idk how the quality is overall

 

[Hchaud99]

A caveat regarding these vintage knits is that most of them have been « mothproofed » using a toxic chemical agent that is added to the yarn in the dye bath at the same time as any coloring that is added to the yarn, which has been found to be carcinogenic.

Any additional info on this? What years were these chemicals used? What specifically was added to the yarn? Thanks!

 

[DorianGreen]

Hi Tobias, SF

Im sorry I come across as opportunistic. I’ve been enjoying the thread a lot and thought I’d find someone on here who could appreciate this cardigan within it’s proper context.

I’ve put the ad on the style forum buy/sell page, but I saw many people mentioning their ads on here. I did not know it apparently was not the done thing, at least not for new members. Which I am obv

In terms of contributing: I’ve dated it with the help of some other people (some of them from this thread,#3,636) and have contributed the label to the fashion archive database so other people can benefit from it.

Does someone else on here feel like this is overpriced b/s/t?

I’ll gladly change the price on the listing or take the ad down entirely if it causes offence.

Personally, I always appreciate having the chance to see pictures of vintage kniwear, as it was allegedly of superior quality.

Your camel hair cardigan looks gorgeous, lovely colour and great make, and the price doesn't seem overdone to me. Wishing you to find a fan who can give it the love it deserves.

 

[DorianGreen]

Hello,

In my opinion and according to vintage label sites, it would be from the 50s. Moreover, on the excel file for ranking brands, Ballantyne is not noted in the "merino" and "wool" tabs, should they also be noted 5+ in these two categories for old Ballantyne ?

Thanks to all

Ben

I'd say that Ballantyne was excellent in all aspects and by all materials. I had a rollneck in geelong lambswool that felt amazingly substantial, densely knit and precisely constructed.

 

[ben5494]

A caveat regarding these vintage knits is that most of them have been « mothproofed » using a toxic chemical agent that is added to the yarn in the dye bath at the same time as any coloring that is added to the yarn, which has been found to be carcinogenic.

Hlo,
Do you have additionnal information on this point ?
Thanks

 

[DorianGreen]

A comparison among shawl collar cardigans, by Permanent Style.

https://www.permanentstyle.com/2024...ared.html?mc_cid=61a1b866eb&mc_eid=277eb01ada

 

[whorishconsumer]

I have a question regarding preferred fit that I'll ask here, although technically concerning lambswool. I received my Colhays shawl collar cardigan today, and while I was initially dismayed at the size being wider and baggier than I expected, am coming around to the style.

The fit on me is more or less the same as this sized-up cardigan is on Simon Crompton:

In fact, the above cardigan looks to also be Scott & Charters. The fit and proportions on me are near exact to that above, although the sleeves are perhaps a touch more ballooned and the body a bit shorter on the Colhays, and on my frame.

I'm a tall guy and not as slim as I used to be (250 lbs), so it's to be expected that garments scaled to fit people with my frame are going to be a bit blown out in one respect or another. I just envisioned a slimmer fit, at least in the sleeves. However, there's definite appeal to swaddling oneself in an excess of fine wool material, the sweater being already indulgent as it is.

What's the preference here for how one wears a chunky, shawl cardigan?

 

[Iskander]

I have a question regarding preferred fit that I'll ask here, although technically concerning lambswool. I received my Colhays shawl collar cardigan today, and while I was initially dismayed at the size being wider and baggier than I expected, am coming around to the style.

The fit on me is more or less the same as this sized-up cardigan is on Simon Crompton:

In fact, the above cardigan looks to also be Scott & Charters. The fit and proportions on me are near exact to that above, although the sleeves are perhaps a touch more ballooned and the body a bit shorter on the Colhays, and on my frame.

I'm a tall guy and not as slim as I used to be (250 lbs), so it's to be expected that garments scaled to fit people with my frame are going to be a bit blown out in one respect or another. I just envisioned a slimmer fit, at least in the sleeves. However, there's definite appeal to swaddling oneself in an excess of fine wool material, the sweater being already indulgent as it is.

What's the preference here for how one wears a chunky, shawl cardigan?

I think that is good if its primary purpose is lounging around the house, but I would personally prefer a neater fit if I was wearing it to out and about.
What size did you get?

 

[Rowyourboat]

I like my sweaters/turtlenecks to be more fitting but the shawl collar ones I have are chunky and looser fitting and I like that about them. I think it's personal preference IMO

 

[Johnny80]

I have a question regarding preferred fit that I'll ask here, although technically concerning lambswool. I received my Colhays shawl collar cardigan today, and while I was initially dismayed at the size being wider and baggier than I expected, am coming around to the style.

The fit on me is more or less the same as this sized-up cardigan is on Simon Crompton:

In fact, the above cardigan looks to also be Scott & Charters. The fit and proportions on me are near exact to that above, although the sleeves are perhaps a touch more ballooned and the body a bit shorter on the Colhays, and on my frame.

I'm a tall guy and not as slim as I used to be (250 lbs), so it's to be expected that garments scaled to fit people with my frame are going to be a bit blown out in one respect or another. I just envisioned a slimmer fit, at least in the sleeves. However, there's definite appeal to swaddling oneself in an excess of fine wool material, the sweater being already indulgent as it is.

What's the preference here for how one wears a chunky, shawl cardigan?

The more classic shawl cardigan should be wear as relaxed/classic fit...like in the picture above or at maximum a size down but no less. The more modern shawl cardigan should be more fitted, in general classic have more room in the arms etc with front pockets, while the modern style/fit is with narrower arms and vertical side pockets

 

[DorianGreen]

Personally I prefer a snugger fit and consequently I size down when I order a shawl collar cardigan, as I know that they are "generously" sized.

This indicates though that a looser fit is traditional for this garment: it's up to you to embrace it or not.

By the way, my latest purchase is a Colhay's cashmere one in my usual size M (I didn't size down this time) and I also like the more comfortable fit.

 

[whorishconsumer]

I think that is good if its primary purpose is lounging around the house, but I would personally prefer a neater fit if I was wearing it to out and about.
What size did you get?

48

Personally I prefer a snugger fit and consequently I size down when I order a shawl collar cardigan, as I know that they are "generously" sized.

This indicates though that a looser fit is traditional for this garment: it's up to you to embrace it or not.

By the way, my latest purchase is a Colhay's cashmere one in my usual size M (I didn't size down this time) and I also like the more comfortable fit.

There's a cashmere 46 that I'm considering exchanging for. However the fit between the lambswool and the cashmere is very different, and I fear the latter too small for me. I also like the chunkiness of the lambswool one.