topic Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase in Fashion

Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

granddi — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 14:32:11 GMT

I know this has been discussed. I am going through my closets and so frustrated that I have and still wear some QVC Precious Fibers cashmere sweaters from many years ago. There is minimal if any pilling and no loss of shape.

The IM cashmere hold up pretty good. I would give it a grade of B. Talbots grade B-. Ann Taylor grade C-. The Ann Taylor are in the donated box. I am looking at Nordstrom's in house cashmere and at less than $100, it is probably a wear one season and donate. Even NM items are just thin and flimsy.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

Carmie — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 14:49:02 GMT

I have several cashmere sweaters. My favorites are from Lands End, and the longest lasting ones I have are from Wanamaker's. They are way over 20 years old and look like new.

I have purchased one cashmere sweater from QVC years ago that has a Precious Fiber label. It was comfortable, but thin and the side seams would not lay straight. I wore it to keep warm at night at home because it was too tired looking to wear out in public. It finally got too ratty looking and I threw it out.

The cashmere sold years ago was better quality. Now it is so thin and wears out too soon.

My best investment by far was two pairs of navy blue 100% cashmere socks that I got on clearance at $5 each. When I washed them, the yarns shrunk and became tight. They are so warm and comfortable.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

Luvitorleaveit1 — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 14:57:33 GMT

This past weekend I started putting away my summer things and pulling out my fall/winter clothing and I too have Precious Fibers cashmere sweaters and IM that I brought a few years ago and they still look good. I also have a couple of cashmere sweaters and hats that I brought at Lord & Taylor I think it is their house brand that are still good as new, all my old cashmeres have little to no pilling or loss of shape.

I will keep the cashmere I have until they can no longer be worn because I don't plan on buying anymore. I have seen the cashmere in stores and the price tag some are so thin you have to wear a tank or something underneath otherwise you can see right through it.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

qvcaddition — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:02:40 GMT

Use to love PF. I have some from years ago , also a few wraps an d scarfs.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

Annabellethecat66 — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:04:57 GMT

I have quite a few cashmere sweaters I bought years ago on QVC. Most of them don't fit me now (too big). However, I just can't give them away. They're wonderful.

With the way I gain and loose weight, they'll probably fit by the time the weather changes....

I keep them in zippered bags and every now and then take them out, shake them, let them air out. They're so soft and (like someone said) surprisingly not hot but warm and comfortabel at the same time.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

151949 — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:07:04 GMT

I bought a cashmere sweater set at Macy's and found I can't wear it. Makes me very itchy and when I take it off I am all blochy. Saves me a lot of money as I love how soft it is & if I could wear it I'd be buying it. I gave those sweaters to my cousin who was very happy to get them.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

151949 — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:08:42 GMT

@granddi wrote:
I know this has been discussed. I am going through my closets and so frustrated that I have and still wear some QVC Precious Fibers cashmere sweaters from many years ago. There is minimal if any pilling and no loss of shape.

The IM cashmere hold up pretty good. I would give it a grade of B. Talbots grade B-. Ann Taylor grade C-. The Ann Taylor are in the donated box. I am looking at Nordstrom's in house cashmere and at less than $100, it is probably a wear one season and donate. Even NM items are just thin and flimsy.

I don't understand why you are frustrated that you are able to continue wearing your sweaters? Color me confused.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

stevieb — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:14:29 GMT

I think what she's saying is that most of the cashmere bought in days gone by was an investment purchase that lasted and held up, while a good bit of what she's seeing more recently is less so.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

granddi — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:36:21 GMT

@stevieb wrote:
I think what she's saying is that most of the cashmere bought in days gone by was an investment purchase that lasted and held up, while a good bit of what she's seeing more recently is less so.

Thanks for reading my mind. I should have just said I need to rant.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

bri20 — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:40:12 GMT

Isaac's cashmere is very nice - holds up well.

I still have some Precious Fibers cashmere that looks brand new.

Lord & Taylor's cashmere is very nice too.

I do not like cashmere blends or very thin cashmere.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:43:54 GMT

I think PF went downhill before it left QVC and maybe that's why it was gone. I purchased a PF twinset and it was so itchy and scratchy I couldn't wear it and I never had a problem with cashmere.

I have 2 cashmere sweaters from Kaufmann's (now Macy's) and they were great. The problem now is they are turtlenecks and I can't do that type of neckline anymore.

I bought a Diane Gilman cashmere sweater last year from HSN. It was only one ply so it's thin but that works for me because I get very warm sometimes now adays. LOL

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

ladyroxanne — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 17:53:17 GMT

i've been lucky so far in what i've bought over the years. land's end and nordstrom come to mind as very good quality also l&t. i have a couple others but don't remember where they came from.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

itiswhatitis — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:23:51 GMT

@granddi wrote:
I know this has been discussed. I am going through my closets and so frustrated that I have and still wear some QVC Precious Fibers cashmere sweaters from many years ago. There is minimal if any pilling and no loss of shape.

The IM cashmere hold up pretty good. I would give it a grade of B. Talbots grade B-. Ann Taylor grade C-. The Ann Taylor are in the donated box. I am looking at Nordstrom's in house cashmere and at less than $100, it is probably a wear one season and donate. Even NM items are just thin and flimsy.

@granddiYou need to up your budget for better Cashmere. Sounds like having to drink beer when you really want champagne. YES, the pricier items tend to be better.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

ECBG — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:24:51 GMT

When I worked for Dillards the first year after I retired from teaching I began to see retail and products from a different perspective.

We had some cashmere brought in that was thin and wasn't as soft as it should have been. People attacked the display to essentally get "something" for nothing.

Of course people want a deal. I totally get that, I want one. I do not, however, want the quality level brought down to bring the savings up. With the larger wardrobes of today, people don't invest in good clothing the way they used to. Where lux fibers were bought and warn repeatedly reducing the cost per wearing, today we want it "now" at a very low price, but that isn't reality.

Over all, good companies are disappearing or shown much less in faver of cheaper ones. Look at Rubbermaid and Pyrex. Instead of Pyrex, we see things like Fire King. We used to see those brands everywhere.

Good items are still out there if you're willing to pay.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

itiswhatitis — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:25:22 GMT

@151949 wrote:
I bought a cashmere sweater set at Macy's and found I can't wear it. Makes me very itchy and when I take it off I am all blochy. Saves me a lot of money as I love how soft it is & if I could wear it I'd be buying it. I gave those sweaters to my cousin who was very happy to get them.

Why not just wear a silk thermal top under it? I use this trick with itchy wool.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

SoX — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:53:53 GMT

@Lipstickdiva wrote:
I think PF went downhill before it left QVC and maybe that's why it was gone. I purchased a PF twinset and it was so itchy and scratchy I couldn't wear it and I never had a problem with cashmere.

@Lipstickdiva ...

I think you're right about this ... the very first year was fantastic and the colors were gorgeous. I still have a few of those ...

Fast forward to second year ... flimsy and shapeless. The Q has a habit of dumbing down once it has a winner.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

StylishLady — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 19:22:13 GMT

Love love my cashmere sweaters and wraps. They go so well with my leather skirts and pants which I also deem an investment.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

KathyPet — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 19:36:02 GMT

I find Lands End cashmere to be very good quality. I also have two of IM's cashmere cardigans, a cable knit cream colored one and a black and white jacquard which I really love. I also like Talbot's Audrey style cashmere.

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

SahmIam — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 20:06:40 GMT

I have 2 cashmere sweater sets that belonged to my mother; purchased in the mid 50's. OMG, the thickness and the softness is off the chart!!!!

I own lots of cashmere and some were more money than I care to admit...NONE come close to these 2 sets. *heavy sigh*

Re: Cashmere used to be an investment purchase

lolakimono — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 20:36:34 GMT

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