After reading some excellent reviews of Nagrani socks on AAAC and the Style forum, I decided to try them. They are some wild stripe patterns in cotton with woven stripes. They are all cotton and I purchased them from the Nagrani site. I have many other socks in cashmere, cotton, and merino wool which are just as epensive ( the Nagrani were $35 per pair). After a couple of washes, the Nagrani began to pill; pills developed on both the background color and the stripes. Now, after about six washes, there are pills all over the socks. They are still wearable, maybe to the car wash. I e-mailed Nagrani about this problem, but haven't heard from them yet. I'm not trying to get my money back, but I did want them to know how disatisfied with their product I am. I washed the socks as I wash all my better socks: cold water on gentle cycle and line dry. I don't think that washing has anything to do with the excessive pilling, but a short fiber would. Just like to know if anyone else has had problems with Nagrani? These socks are definiely not worth $35!
Nagrani socks. Any problems?
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Sorry, I have no specific experience with Nagrani, but I am surprised an all cotton sock would pill. I know that very fine cottons, such Sea Island cotton, are delicate, but it's still surprising. However I do have other delicate socks I have to wash, and have evolved a system for laundering that minimizes pilling. I turn them inside out (A good idea if you think about it.) and place several pairs in a good quality lingerie bag, then launder as you've described. Seems to work pretty well.
I think you might also want to consider a good liquid fabric softner, as my experience is that it also help minimize pilling.
I think you might also want to consider a good liquid fabric softner, as my experience is that it also help minimize pilling.
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Supposedly Nagrani's biggest buyer is Oak Hall here in Memphis. The local paper ran a story about their socks and their relationship with the store. They have a dozen or so custom socks that are southern/memphis themed. While reading online, I clicked on the picture that went with the story. The high-res photo showed several men pulling up their trousers to show the socks. Every single pair showed major pilling. If my Pantherellas every pilled I'd throw a fit, or at least never buy again.
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I've got a problem with them. The idea of paying thirty-five bucks, or anywhere near it, for a pair of socks is just unimaginable for me.
I don't know about the quality, but if they were good enough and versatile enough that I would never have to buy another pair in my life, maybe.
I don't know about the quality, but if they were good enough and versatile enough that I would never have to buy another pair in my life, maybe.
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I've had mixed results with "premium" socks in general, including Pantherella. It's like buying a pig in a poke. Some are great, some are shoddy. That's one reason my workhorses are Gold Toe. At least they're consistent, and not terribly expensive.
To answer questions ....
I purchased six pair @ $35 perpair, and they all pilled badly. As I said, I buy good socks, usually OTC cotton or merino wool from Ben Silver, so I know how to take care of fine men's hosiery. I did put in a small amount of fabric softener. I don't believe Nagrani makes OTC since they make casual socks. Believe me, I'll never buy another pair of Nagrani. I'm just posting this so others can be aware, since they did get a good review here, which is where I first heard of them. Great designs, but what lousy socks!
As for the gentlemrn who wear Gold Toe or the one who would expect a lifetime of wear for $35, they can obviously wear what they desire. I only posted the price to show how diappointed I was with Nagrani. I usually buy cotton OTC and merino OTC from Ben Silver, and these run about $26 per pair, but I have been wearing them for years with no problems. But this is a forum for fine men's wear. Many members (I don't include myself in this) pay $1000 or more for their rtw shoes. So I don't understand why you would be surprised at $35 socks.
I purchased six pair @ $35 perpair, and they all pilled badly. As I said, I buy good socks, usually OTC cotton or merino wool from Ben Silver, so I know how to take care of fine men's hosiery. I did put in a small amount of fabric softener. I don't believe Nagrani makes OTC since they make casual socks. Believe me, I'll never buy another pair of Nagrani. I'm just posting this so others can be aware, since they did get a good review here, which is where I first heard of them. Great designs, but what lousy socks!
As for the gentlemrn who wear Gold Toe or the one who would expect a lifetime of wear for $35, they can obviously wear what they desire. I only posted the price to show how diappointed I was with Nagrani. I usually buy cotton OTC and merino OTC from Ben Silver, and these run about $26 per pair, but I have been wearing them for years with no problems. But this is a forum for fine men's wear. Many members (I don't include myself in this) pay $1000 or more for their rtw shoes. So I don't understand why you would be surprised at $35 socks.
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No, they are not worth $35. I have at least 20 pairs costing between $15-20 each. I have 4 pairs that pilled after the 1st wash and few that pilled after 3 or 4 washes.
I believe the hosiery mentioned is another example of a company charging money for the design, not the quality. I would recommend Pantherella or Marcoliani hosiery. I have also been pleased with what I have bought from Michael Toschi, but he only offers solids.
Since posting this thread, ....
I have received an e-mail from Nagrani. They say that they will send me replacements for the pilled socks and attempt to find out how the excessive pilling happened. Thanks to those who said they had the same problem. At least I know I was not alone with this problem. Marcoloni is the only other brand I know of that makes woven patterns besides Nagrani and Duchamp, so I may try them. To those who suggested other brands like Gold Toe, I am not interested. I'm not trying to get a cheap pair of socks, but one that works. Same with Pantherella, which to my knowledge doesn't make woven casual socks.
Don't underestimate the power of the Ask Andy foum. We are 17,000 plus strong, and manufactuers take notice when members post adverse comments.
I have received an e-mail from Nagrani. They say that they will send me replacements for the pilled socks and attempt to find out how the excessive pilling happened. Thanks to those who said they had the same problem. At least I know I was not alone with this problem. Marcoloni is the only other brand I know of that makes woven patterns besides Nagrani and Duchamp, so I may try them. To those who suggested other brands like Gold Toe, I am not interested. I'm not trying to get a cheap pair of socks, but one that works. Same with Pantherella, which to my knowledge doesn't make woven casual socks.
Don't underestimate the power of the Ask Andy foum. We are 17,000 plus strong, and manufactuers take notice when members post adverse comments.
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Sorry to hear about your problem and glad that it has a happy ending.
Like you I'm a sucker for woven socks (Thanks Apparel Arts
) so I have a few Nagrani. I have not experienced any pilling at all. As I move away from cotton and more towards wool I doubt I will be buying anymore.
Like you I'm a sucker for woven socks (Thanks Apparel Arts
) so I have a few Nagrani. I have not experienced any pilling at all. As I move away from cotton and more towards wool I doubt I will be buying anymore.
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4,101 Posts
Works how?
I'm not particularly enamored of Nagrani socks, but I've never had them pill all over on me. On the heels when worn with shoes that slip a bit in the heel, yes, but not all over. Short-fiber cotton and single-ply yarns are the probable cause of the problem.
As for spending the money on expensive socks, it's just like spending the money on any other article of clothing. It's all a matter of what your priorities are.
As for spending the money on expensive socks, it's just like spending the money on any other article of clothing. It's all a matter of what your priorities are.
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