When it comes to sweaters, cashmere is obviously the cream of the textile crop. It used to be that cashmere was always very exclusive and expensive and sold at only the most high-end stores. But now, any discount retailer has their own line of cashmere sweaters at very reasonable prices. So what is the difference? Why are some sweaters $1,000 and some only $100?
Well, as The Wall Street Journal educates us, the Loro Pianas and the Lands' Ends of the world are getting their materials from the exact same Mongolian goats, it is just that once sheared, the bundles of fibers travel to two very different worlds. The discounter's sweaters are being manufactured in China and in all of the sketchiness that surrounds their factory situation. The designer brand's cashmere is sent to Italy, where, who knows, it is probably hand knit by the descendants of Roman gods. Fine Italian craftsmanship doesn't come cheap, unfortunately, and as a result, the more expensive sweater usually has more interesting, intricate detailing and a more 'of-the-moment' style.
But that is not always the case. Take these two kimono-sleeve cashmeres. They are both simple yet stylish, but one is $600 dollars more than the other. One is made in Italy, and the other, well, isn't. Can you guess which is which?
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Very cute…but do kimono sleeves look good on everyone?
It’s quite obvious that the light blue sweater is the expensive one. And it’s way, way priettier than the blu-thing-y that always, always disapoints
how can you tell without seeing/feeling them in person?
Most luxury brands are shady about it. They make their stuff in China and ship it over to Italy to basically stick the tags on and maybe a finishing touch or two. The link is to an article on the subject. Bulgari and Tod’s completely failed in this regard.
Honestly I think that they’re both pricey. I mean im shure that I can find another sweater similar to both of these and be less than the so called “steal.”