I have read that Capri has beautiful cashmere sweaters, etc. How do the prices compare to the prices here in the US?
I saw a great cashmere "cosie" (wrap around sweater) at Nordstoms but was around $250. Not sure how that compares.

Hi Cindi, one doesn't get bargains on clothes in Capri, they tend to be quite expensive, or at least that has been my experience. Regarding cashmere, it does depend on the quality of the cashmere plus the style etc. I do love cashmere sweaters and if one takes care of them they last for ages.

So far, I haven't found Italian knit items priced cheaper than US. Then again, check the labels--most of what I found in US seem to be Chinese import. I found Malo cashmere jacket last year in Milan--pricey, but very good quality, unusual styles.

I try to buy cashmere whenever I'm in the US since I find it usually cheaper there. There are vast differences in quality and prices, in Italy as in the US.
Check out this site; www.zenggi.com for a cashmere company based in The Netherlands and look at those prices!

FWIW I got this off the web:

--There are significant differences in the quality of cashmere, and therefore, the price of the fiber that can be used in a cashmere garment. There are variations in the fineness of the cashmere from various origins. There are also more subtle variations within origins. Finer cashmere is more expensive than coarser cashmere. Color also plays a role. The whiter, more expensive fiber needs less dye to color it. Dying harms the feel of the cashmere so this is important. Cashmere fiber is also priced by its length. Longer fiber is more expensive because it makes stronger yarn that pills less. All of these variables play a role in the cost variation between seemingly similar garments. Usually you get what you pay for.--

I would say that cashmere is much cheaper in the US than in Italy. Most of the less expensive cashmere for sale here in the US is imported from China. The quality is NOTHING like that of a Malo or Loro Piana (although J. Crew sells some items made in the Loro Piana factory, or so they say..the items are nice). A Malo cardigan costs close to $800 or so here in NY..maybe a bit less in Italy. I do not think you are going to find great cashmere in Italy for less than the $250 Nordstrom price, unless you hit a January sale. And certainly not on Capri. Good 4-ply cashmere from Italy or Scotland usually costs much more than that.. You might check prices on the JCrew web site to get an idea of what you can buy in the states, keeping in mind that the cahmeres sold in fine Italian shops are of a far better quality. Personally, I get the best buys on fine sweaters at the sample sales for companies like Malo and Loro Piana that are held in NYC twice a year. And at the January sales in Italy.

JCrew puts most of their cashmere sweaters on sale at the end of summer and the end of winter for $99.

Yes - but then there's cashmere and cashmere.

Few things are bargains in Italy (except at factory outlets of year old styles - esp leathergoods) and I can;t think of anything that's a bargain in Capri (that's like looking for bargains on Rodeo Drive).

You can find Italian cashmere at Century 21, I know people talk about that place being picked over but if you are in the NY, NJ area they have stores in Westbury, Morristown and a brand new one in Paramus. The shopping experience at those stores are totally different than in the city. Very organized shopping.

Italy is not about shopping. Most all products will be more than here--except silk ties in Bellagio and wine almost anywhere.

As of late, we haven't found anything overseas that is a better bargain than what you can find here, mostly because of the dollar being so weak. We only buy just what we like to have a souvenier, but don't look for bargains. Example: we looked at leaded ball wine glasses in Germany for $60 each; found the identical item here at home for $40.