Dating cashmere cardigan

[plousia]

This is such a silly question, but I can't figure it out so I've been sitting on this for a while. I don't want to list it if it's not vintage, but I'm just not sure.

There are no labels. It looks like there might possibly be the remnants of one in the side seam, but it's literally just one tiny scrap of a white thread that maybe once held a label on.

I am sure it is pretty modern, and not sure if it meets the 20-year requirement, but am not sure how to tell given that it's such a classic style.

Any help welcome.

 

[denisebrain]

You might have a look at this article: https://vintagefashionguild.org/blog/cashmere-sweaters/

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Just wondering how you know that it's cashmere if there are no labels? Some of the stuff can be so hard to tell by feel alone.

 

[retro ruth]

that looks like a stockinette rolled edge on the button band and cuffs. If I’m right you’ll be able to unroll it with your fingers, and it’ll roll right back up when you let go (unless it’s been stitched down, but that’s unlikely)

I think it’s a fairly modern way to finish an edge, I wouldn’t expect to see that any earlier than the 90s, and maybe not that far back . In hand knitting it’s now used quite a lot, but I don’t recall ever seeing it in older patterns.

Possibly part of the trend towards more unfinished edges in garments in general (deconstructed, frayed edges, seams finished on the outside, etc), which I think began in the 90s? As a trend it’s partly fashion statement, and I sometimes like it, but it’s also often conveniently a cheaper way to manufacture a garment, and part of the general downturn in the quality of clothing manufacturing.

I think you are right that it’s less than 20 years old.

 

[plousia]

You might have a look at this article: https://vintagefashionguild.org/blog/cashmere-sweaters/

Thanks, that's very interesting and I will keep it in mind to refer to in the future. It doesn't seem to have info that would help with dating this sweater, but I learned some interesting facts!

 

[plousia]

Just wondering how you know that it's cashmere if there are no labels? Some of the stuff can be so hard to tell by feel alone.

I'm pretty good at telling fiber by feel, as a 20+ years knitter and former yarn store employee, although not infallible. If it's not cashmere I'll eat my hat, though it's true it's hard to list it as such without a label.

 

[plousia]

that looks like a stockinette rolled edge on the button band and cuffs. If I’m right you’ll be able to unroll it with your fingers, and it’ll roll right back up when you let go (unless it’s been stitched down, but that’s unlikely)

I think it’s a fairly modern way to finish an edge, I wouldn’t expect to see that any earlier than the 90s, and maybe not that far back . In hand knitting it’s now used quite a lot, but I don’t recall ever seeing it in older patterns.

Possibly part of the trend towards more unfinished edges in garments in general (deconstructed, frayed edges, seams finished on the outside, etc), which I think began in the 90s? As a trend it’s partly fashion statement, and I sometimes like it, but it’s also often conveniently a cheaper way to manufacture a garment, and part of the general downturn in the quality of clothing manufacturing.

I think you are right that it’s less than 20 years old.

Thank you! Guess I'll skip listing this one for now.

 

[plousia]

Just wondering how you know that it's cashmere if there are no labels? Some of the stuff can be so hard to tell by feel alone.

You know, now that you asked this question, it made me doubt. It could be a cashmere blend, possibly. Unfortunately I don't have a known cashmere garment at hand to compare it with.

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

I have found true cashmere garments to feel "soapy" or like hand cream when touched.
A light film is present, if that makes sense.

 

[plousia]

Interesting. I wonder if cashmere goats produce lanolin like sheep do.

 

[Jen S]

I find modern cashmere feels very different from vintage. Modern cashmere is softer and fuzzier whereas vintage cashmere feels smooth and strong. And soft, but soft as in not at all itchy, not as in limp.

 

[plousia]

Many years ago I had a vintage cashmere cardigan that was a bit itchy. I think it was made from lower-quality fibres though.

I do have a vintage scarf I am fairly positive is 100% cashmere and comparing with this sweater, I would say the sweater if it's cashmere might be a blend, maybe with some cotton. It is smooth and soft, not really fuzzy, as you describe vintage cashmere. But no matter, as it doesn't seem it's old enough to sell as vintage anyway.

 

[Midge]

I agree that it looks modern. And I totally get you about knowing it's cashmere even without a label. I wear a lot of vintage and modern cashmere and am always looking for nice cashmere sweaters at second hand shops and have gotten good at identifying it if I may say so. I have a few items where the labels were cut out but they certainly feel and behave like cashmere - I have no doubt that they are the real deal. Seeing the close-ups, a blend is a possibility. I've got all sorts of cashmere blends in my closet - cashmere/silk, cashmere/cotton, cashmere/merino/silk... I think the trend to these is a modern thing too. The cashmere/silk definitely has that shine from the silk and none of the cashmere fuzziness. I find the fuzzier the cashmere in modern items, often they're the lesser quality. Or the lesser quality ones get a lot fuzzier a very quickly. And sometimes that can vary even within the same brand! I've got a secondhand cashmere sweater from Uniqlo that is amazing quality, nearly no piling, not getting fuzzy... so I once invested in a new-new Uniqlo cashmere because they were on sale. Guess which one I threw out after a few years? The new-new one. And the second hand one is still there, still looking great.

 

[retro ruth]

Interesting. I wonder if cashmere goats produce lanolin like sheep do.

Apparently it doesn’t. (I had to check).