I love cashmere sweaters. But really, who doesn’t? Through the years I have accumulated a few and I tend to favor a v-neck style cashmere sweater over other styles. Earlier this past Fall, because I hadn’t added any new cashmere in a while, I bought (on sale) a camel colored v-neck from Lands End. I had read good reviews from other bloggers about Lands End’s quality for their cashmere and decided to give them a go. I have been very pleased with it — quality and color. (you can click here to see it).
When I visit thrift stores and second-hand shops, my cashmere radar is always engaged. I have had a hard time finding these types of sweaters lately. I fully suspect that they are being sought out and hoarded by crafty, Pinterest addicted women who buy them up to re-purpose into hats and gloves and baby diapers. Just my theory, mind you. But thankfully one got missed at my local Goodwill. HA!
While Brett and I were still “technically” sick with the flu, we decided one sunny day we really needed to get OUT. OF. THE. HOUSE. Goodwill was the destination–close by, wouldn’t take long to shop it. Brett found some amazing deals…a gorgeous Tommy Bahama button down and a Columbia pull-over (quite the “sexy cardi” on him ; ) ) for peanuts. I didn’t think I was going to find anything at first. Then I found a great navy blue St. John knit pencil skirt. I had a feeling it probably had a matching top somewhere so I scoured the racks searching (in vain) for it. Finally I asked a clerk, if she, by incredible chance, knew if there was a matching piece to it. In fact, yes!, there had been but it was badly stained so it got thrown out. C’est la vie. By this time Brett was itching to get back home and take his flu-induced afternoon four-hour coma nap. I told him I had just one more area to check and I was done. Off to the car he went to wait.
For whatever reason, I checked the tops in the Medium section…this is normally not done. I mean, I know sizes get put back in the wrong areas all the time and that yes, some Mediums might fit while others won’t. Frankly, I just don’t have that kind of stamina for shopping in Goodwills (or anywhere else for that matter). And after the futile search for the missing St. John top, I was fading fast…maybe nap time was coming for me too. I pushed myself to finish the “Medium” rack and hanging nearly at the end was this…:
…which would probably retail for $500 plus according to a quick search on Barneys website. Click here to see something similar. But I of course was able to get it for the whopping Goodwill price of:
Wow. A navy-blue and oyster/sand/light grey (not sure what to call it) striped V-neck cashmere sweater. I wore it for the first time on Sunday.
And don’t, for two seconds, think I didn’t have something vintage to wear with it! Of course I did. I had a lovely Coach Willis bag to carry and my “cutest ever” navy blue brogue pumps to wear:
My jewelry was modern… Seiko watch, Silpada silver bead bracelet, Silpada silver bead earrings and a silver, graduated bead necklace.
Hmmmm…a $500 sweater and a $400 skirt for $12.00 really isn’t too bad, is it? That sunny day visit to Goodwill truly turned out to be the only blessing from having the flu in January.
Have you ever found a great cashmere sweater second-hand?
Hope you all have a great start to your week!
~~Heather~~
