8 November 2009

Cashmere & Carry

The other day, I professed my love for a cashmere cardigan from Land's End. Well, it has arrived and it is sublime. I cannot say enough good things about this little beauty. To say that is gloriously soft is an understatement. When I wore it to work last Thursday, I couldn't stop touching it - it is just so scrumptious! It is also very well made - no hanging threads or ill-finished seams. The front button placket is faced in perfectly colour matched grosgrain ribbon, which appears to be hand sewn in place along one edge. The buttons are wonderful too - small, round, pearl-like and colour matched like the ribbon. It's these little touches that make this sweater well worth the price.

The park green cardigan sits at my high hip and has three quarter sleeves. I do wish it was a bit more shaped through the torso, but I think that going down a size would remedy this (I am wearing a regular small, but next time, I would order the regular extra small or petite small).

In the photo, I am wearing the cardigan with a pair of straw coloured linen Loes Hinse Hepburn pants (which I now lovingly refer to as my "wide-ass pants" after a poster on SG euphemistically told me that they make me look fat - gotta love the lack of manners these days) and a long sleeve round neck T-shirt in park green that was purchased along with the cardigan. I finished off the outfit with a cool faux-pearl necklace and a pair of my favourite double strap Clarks mary janes, in caramel leather. A simple, classic, easy-to-wear outfit, perfect for teaching.

Now, based on this shopping success, I'm eye-balling three other cashmere cardigans and a cashmere tee at Land's End (they're on sale 30% off right now) - I think I may have created a cashmere buying monster!

25 comments:

Michelle said...

you are kidding! I understand that on PR and SG we do post some unflattering photos of ourselves in asking for constructive criticism, but to say that someone looks fat?? that is ridiculous! I think your pants look fantastic, having struggled with pants fitting myself, would have been very upset if someone said something like that. and that cardigan looks divine.

Ann Made Studio said...

You look great in this outfit. Trust me "No" fat anything in sight :)
I have been looking at green cardigans ever since I saw Oprah wearing a gorgeous green one.

Anonymous said...

I buy all my cashmere at Lands End and have for years. I still have one from nine years ago!! It is a black turtleneck so you can imagine how much I wear it! They are far superb of quality than any department store.
The green is gorgeous on you!!

And so happy that Simone's results came out negative!! But sorry to fear of his accident!! Hope all is well.

Anonymous said...

And, of course, fear is suppose to be hear! I type too fast for my own good!

Dk's Wife said...

Lovely sweater, and to say you look fat is absolutely silly. BTW, I bought the Loes Hinse Pants Pattern, so I will be making a few pairs of wide ass pants myself ;)

BTW, I am happy to hear Simon is okay, but am very sorry for his back. I have a Doxie, and I know all too well how back problems can really bring a pup pup down.

Pam Erny said...

Shannon...you look great ! Always chic and lovely :)

Love the green and tan together..such a classic pairing. Great colors for us red-headed women!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

I totally understand the cashmere love. I went on a small spree a couple of years ago...but what I found is that I'm quite hot in pure cashmere with my own personal summers going on! I've found that I like a blend of cashmere and silk a little better...now I own 4 turtlenecks in all colors in that blend...scrumptious.

Your outfit is beautiful and isn't it amazing what people will say both anonymously and with their names on the internet!!

Vivian said...

I love Lands End cashmere-bought my first last year-and now want more!
You look fabulous in that outfit-absolutely not fat! I bought the pattern after seeing it on you.
My Goodness-how rude some people are!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely NO WAY do those Hepburn pants make you look fat! I think they make you look fabulous... hey wait, you look fabulous anyway.

NancyDaQ said...

I already commented on the SG comment on one of your previous posts, so I won't go there again! I'm still amazed that someone would call you out like that.

Anyway, I love your new sweater; it makes a very lovely teaching ensemble (or really, it's appropriate for anything). IMO, Land's End's sizing it a bit generous, going with a petite or sizing down might work well for you.

Talbots also has a ton of cashmere this year, and generally, I've been pretty happy with their sweaters. Their fit is more body conscious though.

Carolyn, another cashmere blend you might want to try is cashmere with cotton. I have a couple of sweaters made from this blend, and it's delightful.

wendy said...

Oooh, I'm totally going to raid your close... I LOVE lands end sweaters and clarks. Hmmm... now how to sneak in canada and get around Simon? ;-)

I'm glad to hear he's in better shape- I hope he recovers from the slip soon!

Maggie said...

Now that is one classy outfit. And what a great shade of green! So I'm not the only one that can't keep my hands off cashmere. the first time I bought a sweater...Land's End, by the way...I thought, "So this is what rich people have been raving about all those years!" Glad us poorer folks can now afford it. The matching Tee is a nice touch.

gwensews said...

Let me tell you--you do not look fat. Not by any stretch of the imagination. People are stupid.

Debbie Cook said...

Love the cardigan - great color!!

I saw that comment on SG and nearly choked. Please keep on wearing your Hepburn pants and capris without another thought. They look great on you - and do NOT make any part of you look wide.

Carol said...

Oh I love that cardigan. I'm wearing a cotton cardigan today that is just a touch darker than yours, but I like yours better. These colours really suit you.

JodieK said...

I've been a "lurker" for a while, but as a teacher myself I can totally appreciate the need for comfort and style. I'm into cashmere blends as I'm a Home Economics teacher and my classroom is ofter steaming hot between the kids and the ovens. I've worn Clarks' shoes in the past (although my "school" shoes are now Beautifeel and they're awesome) but I think it's time for a new pair and another look.
And for the "wide-ass" pants - holy cow!?!! What is UP with some people. How rude!

And as dog owner myself (although I'm pretty confident that my dog figures she owns me), I'm so glad to hear that Simon is in the clear in regards to the cancer scare, although poor baby, about his back.
Have a good week at school!
Jodie

Vicki said...

Well, I think you look gorgeous. Great colour on you.

Marji said...

Enjoy the cashmere! I'm with Carolyn in that I simply get too hot wearing it these days. Scrumptious though. Love the color combo...love the green.
I missed the "fat" comment - but why doesn't it surprise me?
Glad to hear Simon doesnt' have cancer, but sorry to hear he's hurt. Geeze, if it's not one thing, it's another.

Trudy said...

Love your cardigan. Looks very luxurious.

You don't even look close to fat in those pants. I think they are very flattering on you. And, anyway, even if you did, how rude of someone to say that! Hard to believe that anyone would have the nerve. Isn't it?

janine said...

You dont look fat. You inspired me to make and buy pants just like your Loes HInse ones. ( sadly I cant get these patterns in Australia. ) Janine

Anonymous said...

You look perfectly put together. I think the pants has casual chic written all over it. Love the park green of the cardigan very much too.

Kitty Couture said...

Lovely outfit! This shade of green looks great on you.

I want a cashmere cardigan too... Sigh! ;)

amber said...

That is a beautiful color on you. I'm glad you were happy with the cardigan and I def. think you should add a few more to your collection. :)

Don't feel bad about that silly commenter. I had someone post a few weeks back that the dress I had on just didn't work and I needed to lose 20lbs. ::eyeroll:: Some people are just bitter and hateful.

Nancy K said...

I am in love with cashmere. You can never have too much of it! We keep the house relatively cool, so I do love how warm it is for something so light weight.
What ever happened to if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!? You look lovely in those pants! I am sitting here in a cashmere v neck in the same color, so I am very tempted by a cardigan.
By the way, you can always take int he waist a bit with your serger if you want it to be a bit more shaped.

Meg said...

Hi from a cashmere addict. Another good source for cashmere is J. Crew, which uses Italian cashmere house Loro Piana for its cashmere. Pricey but exquisite! I watch for sales with J. Crew. Glad to hear your pup is doing better.