That's a lot for a lambswool sweater!

Ben Silver has some at $215
https://www.bensilver.com/Lambswool-Shawl-Collar-Cardigan,20544.html
Also heard good words about Black Sheep:

 

I've seen some of the new J. Press sweaters in the store, and they are really, really substantial and nice. I quite liked the fair isle ones, actually, though they are expensive too. The shawl collar sweater is extremely thick and nice.

That's a lot for a lambswool sweater, I'd agree, though that Ben Silver one seems thinner. Still, the Press one is so thick that you won't be able to wear it for a few months--certainly not in DC, where the OP is located. So you could always wait for it to go on sale, if you have your heart set on it. If you simply can't wait, I think I'd go another route.

 

Ditto. I haven't seen it in person but a $450 sweater would need to be spun of gold for me to buy it.

 

That's a lot for a lambswool sweater!

Ben Silver has some at $215
https://www.bensilver.com/Lambswool-Shawl-Collar-Cardigan,20544.html
Also heard good words about Black Sheep:

Thanks, but the Ben Silver does appear from the photograph to be thinner.

 

I've seen some of the new J. Press sweaters in the store, and they are really, really substantial and nice. I quite liked the fair isle ones, actually, though they are expensive too. The shawl collar sweater is extremely thick and nice.

That's a lot for a lambswool sweater, I'd agree, though that Ben Silver one seems thinner. Still, the Press one is so thick that you won't be able to wear it for a few months--certainly not in DC, where the OP is located. So you could always wait for it to go on sale, if you have your heart set on it. If you simply can't wait, I think I'd go another route.

Any word on their next sale?

 

You big spender you.

 

J. Press will have its fall/winter sale sometime in November. Although it's not been till late November in the past, recently the sale has started earlier--in the first week or two of November. Frankly, you wouldn't need a sweater of that weight until November, and it'll be 25% off.

Orvis has had thick shawl collar sweaters in the past. They won't be as nice as this one from Press, but you'll certainly save money.

 

I agree that $450 is very expensive for a lambswool sweater. And with Press you're not likely to find out who makes the thing, so divining its value beforehand might not be possible. The Ben Silver is from William Lockie, as are most of their sweaters (the WL in the code gives it away), though there are a few from Hawick Knitwear. I have to say that the Press cardigan looks exceptionally thick; you can likely wear it as a coat through December. It might be a good idea to consider how much use you are going to get out of it indoors.

 

love shawl collars. for consolation check the price of Drake's offerings .. https://www.drakes-london.com/iconic-four-ply-cashmere-shawl-collar-cardigan-1346

yep, over $1k

 

That's a lot for a lambswool sweater, I'd agree, though that Ben Silver one seems thinner. Still, the Press one is so thick that you won't be able to wear it for a few months--certainly not in DC, where the OP is located. So you could always wait for it to go on sale, if you have your heart set on it. If you simply can't wait, I think I'd go another route.

The thing is, most British makers does these for half the price. For $450 you could probably get someone to hand-knit one for you.

Will be trying the one from Black Sheep this year: https://www.westaway.co.uk/blacksheep/black-sheep-the-jacket.html

 

i have a friend that does a lot of kniting and when we discussed price it would work out more than the store. I bought the BB cashmere (made in China) and it is a very thin but for FL. it works well. I have a cotton one also from BB. I thought about the one from Ben Silver but optted for the one from BB. Ben Silver has two types this year.

 

But, the camelhair at Drakes is not too much more than the J. Press. Has J. Press gone the JAB route and begun posting retail prices that no one actually pays? Their prices seem much higher than I remember.

 

I agree with others, that does seem like a bundle for a sweater. I've been drawn to this one for some time: - but have been holding out because I thought it (price is in Canadian mind you) to be a bundle. Quality is supposed to be very good.

 

The thing is, most British makers does these for half the price. For $450 you could probably get someone to hand-knit one for you.

Will be trying the one from Black Sheep this year: https://www.westaway.co.uk/blacksheep/black-sheep-the-jacket.html

Fiddler be great if you can report on it: thought I'd try this one: https://www.whiteofhawick.co.uk/products/Lord-Cardigan.html# by White of Hawick, which looks quite good too

I have this shawl neck: the quality of the NZ Merino is great, very warm and hasn't pilled at all.

https://www.roddandgunn.com.au/Shop/Knits/KELBURN KNIT/Kelburn_Knit.html

 

I paid about that amount ($450) for a camel hair shawl cardigan from Orvis a few years back. A wool cardigan at that price seems a bit over priced, but to each his own. LOL. Alas, it seems threads on shawl cardigans and shoes/boots consistently end up costing me $$! Thanks to the references provided by fiddler, leisureclass and Pliny, it looks like this thread will prove historically consistent!

 

Shawl collars are great around the office: a nice charcoal or navy is more comfortable than wearing a jacket but still warm, and allows one to decide how much tie to show.

 

I agree with others, that does seem like a bundle for a sweater. I've been drawn to this one for some time: - but have been holding out because I thought it (price is in Canadian mind you) to be a bundle. Quality is supposed to be very good.

I was just looking at these last night. Epaulet shop has these in their own colours I think, but they're quite a bit more expensive. The NWKnitwear stuff looks like it's worth the price, both in quality and production. I'm definitely going to look into it once I have the cash to spare.

 

Get yours from Black Sheep or Whites of Hawick (https://www.whiteofhawick.co.uk/products/Lord-Cardigan.html). I doubt anyone has use for an even thicker cardigan... especially nowadays.

 

I very seldom comment on price because we're all of different means, but I too was taken aback by the price of the J. Press model.

 

A few comments.

A. I'm a fan of the shaggy dog and even I'm sweating just looking at that cardigan. Your (the OP) profile says Washington D.C. so I'd say unless you actually live outdoors, that's going to be overkill.

B. I'm guessing that the cost has more to do with its being made in Scotland than any other factor. I just placed an order with Ralph Lauren for a shawl neck cardigan for $185 and on the table nearby there were cable-knit shetlands that were made in Scotland for $375. The associate said the "made in Scotland" part was the primary factor in the price being so high.

Do with those comments what you will, but if you're just looking for a nice navy blue model, this is the one I just ordered.

 

Ditto. I haven't seen it in person but a $450 sweater would need to be spun of gold for me to buy it.

Or at least spun of pure Mongolian cashmere to justify that amount of money on a cardi.

 

A few comments.

A. I'm a fan of the shaggy dog and even I'm sweating just looking at that cardigan. Your (the OP) profile says Washington D.C. so I'd say unless you actually live outdoors, that's going to be overkill.

B. I'm guessing that the cost has more to do with its being made in Scotland than any other factor. I just placed an order with Ralph Lauren for a shawl neck cardigan for $185 and on the table nearby there were cable-knit shetlands that were made in Scotland for $375. The associate said the "made in Scotland" part was the primary factor in the price being so high.

Do with those comments what you will, but if you're just looking for a nice navy blue model, this is the one I just ordered.

Thanks, Mr. English. I will give it some thought. However warm and thick the shawl cardigan may happen to be for wear during the DC winter, at least it may be worn unbuttoned allowing for more air circulation. I can't imagine that it would be warmer than my Shaggy Dogs (which I also happen to be fond of, sir).

I see that you will respond to my thread in the forum, but not a private message? :icon_scratch:

 

thanks for the steer to Westaway knits - I've just ordered a lambswool v neck pullover from William Lockie.

Not specifically about shawl collars, but would anyone care to comment on the maker William Lockie - quality, comparison with other makers - and how do their knitwear products stack up against say John Smedley, another farily well-regarded caledonian competitor? I'm something of a cashmere novice, and I'd value any comments about whether it's worth paying premium for the longer and finer fibres found in the reputable Hawick firms. I'm interested in getting a cashmere shawl collar or regular cardi, and they're quite the investment.

 

B. I'm guessing that the cost has more to do with its being made in Scotland than any other factor. I just placed an order with Ralph Lauren for a shawl neck cardigan for $185 and on the table nearby there were cable-knit shetlands that were made in Scotland for $375. The associate said the "made in Scotland" part was the primary factor in the price being so high.

I don't think that's true - Whites of Hawick, which I recommended above, produces their sweaters and cardigans in Scotland and their shawl collar cardigan actually works out 25$ cheaper than the Chinese-made RL (before shipping, but nonetheless).

 

Lockie is one of the better manufacturers.