Buying Guides

Learn what to look for before you buy. Plain-language guides that explain which features matter and which you can ignore.

Buying GuideWomen’s cashmere knitwear

Ply and gauge: 2-ply cashmere is tougher and warmer than single-ply; finer gauges look smarter, chunky ones feel cozier.

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideDesigner dresses

Fabric: silk, wool crepe and good viscose drape and breathe; heavy polyester feels warm and looks cheaper.

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideWomen’s leather jackets

Leather: lambskin is soft and light but delicate; calf and goat are tougher.

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideWomen’s luxury down jackets

Fill power: 700+ fill power down gives more warmth for less weight; check also the fill weight.

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideWomen’s luxury coats

Fabric: a high share of wool or cashmere (80%+) keeps you warmer than blends with polyester; double-faced wool is warm…

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideMen’s luxury boots

Construction: welted boots can be resoled and handle wet weather better than cemented ones.

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideMen’s loafers

Fit at the heel: loafers have no laces, so heel slip is the main problem; size down if your heel…

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideMen’s dress shoes

Construction: Goodyear-welted and hand-welted shoes can be resoled many times; Blake-stitched shoes are sleeker but resole fewer times.

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideMen’s luxury sneakers

Sole: a stitched cupsole or Margom sole can be resoled and lasts years; glued chunky soles are not repairable.

Updated 6. Nov 2026

Buying GuideWomen’s luxury sneakers

Construction: stitched (Margom or cupsole) soles can be replaced; glued soles cannot.

Updated 6. Nov 2026