Best place to buy decent knitwear?

Bitsy_Beans

The thread about wardrobe essentials prompted me to post about buying cheap knitwear from the supermarket. It doesn't seem to last (or is it just the way I wash it?!!!).
Anyway where do you buy your winter knitwear from and how long does it last? One season or several? Does it pill much or become shapeless? Or does it look good as new?

Your recommendations please

Bronnie

I got a black scoop neck sweater dress from Sainsbury's last year, reduced to £6. Really comfy, kept it's shape and washed well. Pilling wasn't really a problem and I wore it lots for everdaywear. It survived the wardrobe clearance, but need to try it on this season for fit. Well done Sainsbury's ,,,but the problem is there's no guarantee their other stuff will wear so well...it's a case of suck it and see!!
Also have Asda fine knit plain black round neck cardis for work. Around a fiver They are pretty good too washed on the correct programme...but the colour has faded on these quite quickly though...one season wonders I reckon but ok for work ( don't need to be too dressed up, just tidy!!)
Reckon much supermarket knitwear is probably intended for 1 season then chuck...whether this is value for money or not is therefore debatable!!

jeannieblue

The cheap supermarket ones are probably not meant to last long, hence the price. Though I do find Asda's ones last a couple of winters, and they are practical. A V neck for a fiver... can't be bad! And I find they wash up well and are good for work etc. Most of their clothes seem to be ok.

You do get what you pay for. But in saying that, I was given a voucher for Dorothy Perkins and bought two jumpers last winter - they were lovely, but after just one wash, bobbles everywhere and it 'moulted' the bobbles and bits. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better!!

eyeonspain

Marks and Spencer knitwear in the sales

Hollyberry

Wallis knitwear in the sales too. Washes well, keeps its colour, some great and unusual items as well as basics.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I buy mine anywhere realy,just whatever takes my fancy.
I have anything from some cashmere woolies costing me a small fortune to M&S and a few primark sweaters and cardi's I payed pittance for.
I don't ever have any trouble with my knitwear and have some that have lasted me over 20 years and still look fine.
I either hand wash the expensive stuff then put it in a washbag for a quick spin and the reshape or just put it in a washbag to go into the washing machine 30 or 40 degrees.
Never have a problem with anything realy and any bobbly bits I remove before washing.

geri1965_2

BHS is very good for knitwear.

katieclampet

In the past I've bought some good quality items from principles, debenhams and m & s, (usually in the sales) that have lasted well. I have also bought the odd item from primark, which has been v cheap and lasted v well. I always turn my clothes inside out, button or zip up, before I put them in the washer. Less bobbling, colours last better & dry quicker.

pattycake

katieclampet wrote: »

In the past I've bought some good quality items from principles, debenhams and m & s, (usually in the sales) that have lasted well. I have also bought the odd item from primark, which has been v cheap and lasted v well. I always turn my clothes inside out, button or zip up, before I put them in the washer. Less bobbling, colours last better & dry quicker.

That is good advice katie with regard to washing. In fact I turn all my washing inside out etc before putting in the machine in order to cut down on pilling.

The best knitwear for durability is items with cotton in them. However, I do not find them to be warm enough for winter wear. I have got cotton cardies which I have had for eons which look as good as when I bought them. They are much washed as they are in pastel colours. However, I have no recollection of where I got them from!