[SpaghettiMatt]

Does anyone have any experience with O'Connell's made-in-Scotland cashmere? Any idea who their maker is? I'm considering picking up a turtleneck...

https://www.oconnellsclothing.com/Scottish-Cashmere-Turtleneck-Sweater-Derby-Grey.html

 

[Flanderian]

Does anyone have any experience with O'Connell's made-in-Scotland cashmere? Any idea who their maker is? I'm considering picking up a turtleneck...

https://www.oconnellsclothing.com/Scottish-Cashmere-Turtleneck-Sweater-Derby-Grey.html

Everything I've ever bought from O'Connell's has been good quality and was offered at a price that was good value for that given quality compared to other full retail pricing for equivalent quality. I.e., they don't offer questionable quality, mark it up, and claim it's exceptional as do most other retailers now.

I've also found them to be very forthcoming when I've spoken with them by phone, so you might ask them who made it. Though in this instance they may be reluctant to avoid serving only as a basis for comparison shopping. And it's equally possible that the maker makes for others who charge even more and don't want O'Connell's pricing equated with their sweaters.

I.e., you'll get solid quality, won't get a bargain, but won't get gouged either.

I'm sorry, I've never bought cashmere from them, and have no idea who may have made the sweater. Though at that price, I suspect this sweater should be about as good as it gets. And if you don't like it, I'm sure you can return it.

 

[SpaghettiMatt]

Everything I've ever bought from O'Connell's has been good quality and was offered at a price that was good value for that given quality compared to other full retail pricing for equivalent quality. I.e., they don't offer questionable quality, mark it up, and claim it's exceptional as do most other retailers now.

I've also found them to be very forthcoming when I've spoken with them by phone, so you might ask them who made it. Though in this instance they may be reluctant to avoid serving only as a basis for comparison shopping. And it's equally possible that the maker makes for others who charge even more and don't want O'Connell's pricing equated with their sweaters.

I.e., you'll get solid quality, won't get a bargain, but won't get gouged either.

I'm sorry, I've never bought cashmere from them, and have no idea who may have made the sweater. Though at that price, I suspect this sweater should be about as good as it gets. And if you don't like it, I'm sure you can return it.

Let me be clear: I own three shetlands from O'Connell's and am immensely satisfied with them. They are far superior to the Harley Shetlands that I own. I think $500 is a fair price for a superlative cashmere sweater and am not trying to "shop around."

The problem, as I understand it, is that good cashmere knits are hard to come by these days, even out of Scotland. For example, I have heard that William Lockie is still producing great knits, but Johnstons of Elgin are merely okay.

I don't own any new cashmere knits but I do own a few vintage Scottish pieces, and even among those the quality is wildly divergent. The two Ballantyne (for Berk) single-ply knits that I own are amazing, but the Brooks Brothers two-ply knits (made in Scotland of Italian cashmere) are kind of shit.

I just want some second-hand reviews before taking the plunge or else some information about the manufacturer as a proxy for quality.

 

[Flanderian]

Let me be clear: I own three shetlands from O'Connell's and am immensely satisfied with them. They are far superior to the Harley Shetlands that I own. I think $500 is a fair price for a superlative cashmere sweater and am not trying to "shop around."

The problem, as I understand it, is that good cashmere knits are hard to come by these days, even out of Scotland. For example, I have heard that William Lockie is still producing great knits, but Johnstons of Elgin are merely okay.

I don't own any new cashmere knits but I do own a few vintage Scottish pieces, and even among those the quality is wildly divergent. The two Ballantyne (for Berk) single-ply knits that I own are amazing, but the Brooks Brothers two-ply knits (made in Scotland of Italian cashmere) are kind of shit.

I just want some second-hand reviews before taking the plunge or else some information about the manufacturer as a proxy for quality.

I hope someone with actual experience with the cashmere that O'Connell's sells can offer their assessment. This is a job for member Jamgood who now sadly no longer visits, but who had an in-depth understanding of the British knitwear industry, which I certainly don't possess. I've never delved fine quality cashmere.

I would again urge you to give them a call and ask some of these questions of them personally. I've found them to be welcoming, forthright and accurate with none of the usual gilding and nonsense you would receive from Brooks. At this price level, you certainly have every right to ask.