Review of Grana Silk and Mongolian Cashmere Clothing

I’ve been eying silk and cashmere items for a while now because they are the most versatile pieces I seem to own in my wardrobe, not to mention the most comfortable. I don’t even fuss about drycleaning because I have a handwash setting on my washer, and I also use these dryclean-at-home kits:

You might be wondering how I keep cashmere or silk clean with a toddler, and some days it is a no go when he comes at me with his sticky fingers, but that’s why you need to find well-priced pieces so you don’t fuss about them too much.

I also tend to be a generally fastidious person, so I don’t get dirty.. often.

So when Grana came along and generously asked me to review a few items (honestly, of course), I jumped at the chance.

(Psst! Use my referral at Grana for 10% off your order)

This is what I picked out:

GRANA NAVY LONG-SLEEVED SHELL SHIRT

WHY I BOUGHT IT

I wanted something that would work casually and for the office. I like double-duty pieces that I don’t need to think about — I just throw it on and go. I plan on wearing this (when I go back to work next year) tucked into pencil skirts, or open over pants, perhaps even belted.

It’s also casual enough (for me anyway) to wear alone with some jeans and go out with Baby Bun, along with a long necklace or something chunky at the neck.

SIZING

True to size! I took the small and it fit perfectly, as a US 4 size in general with a general loose feeling that is not too tight but not too loose and billowy. If I wanted my shoulders to fit a little better and looser, I would size up to a Medium, which is like a US 6, but then it would be larger in general.

COLOUR

The colour was also exactly as shown online and it is navy blue. I can’t stand it when the online sites don’t show the correct colour and when it comes in the mail, it is lighter or darker than what it should be. This was not the case.

CUT

It fits slightly looser around my body but that’s what I wanted, and it looks just like in the model, which is what I expected:

GRANA SILK SHELL TANK TOP

WHY I BOUGHT IT

I wanted something that would work casually and for the office again. I also really like that it is a colour I can’t seem to find in stores, the perfect olive green that is not too yellow or too blue. A true army green.

It’s also casual enough (for me anyway) to wear alone with some jeans and go out with Baby Bun.

SIZING

True to size! I took the small and it fit perfectly, as a US 4 size in general with a general loose feeling that is not too tight but not too loose and billowy. I wouldn’t need to size up at all. There are no problems with the fit in the shoulders because it’s sleeveless and so it fits well. I would even suggest sizing down to an XS if you wanted something a bit more fitted and not as loose as on the model, but obviously it might be a bit shorter in length.

The armholes are cut loose enough and doesn’t feel too tight or loose, my bra was properly covered at the sides.

COLOUR

The colour was also exactly as shown online and it is the perfect olive green as you can see.

CUT

The cut fits well on my body just like in the picture but since it is a looser cut, it doesn’t hug my body and so when I lean over or down, it obviously gapes open and shows my entire bra and stomach. I’d have to wear a tank top underneath for modesty as I do lean down and bend over a lot with a toddler.

It’s not low cut at all, but when I bend down to help my toddler, everything gapes open.

 

It’s the right cut and size, as well as length as a tank top. Not too long to be a tunic top and not too short.

GRANA QUALITY OF THE SILK

When I took it out and felt it, it felt weighty and luxurious, and that is surprising for the price ($45 USD). It looked well made, and the silk felt good.

GRANA QUALITY COMPARED TO EQUIPMENT QUALITY

My other favourite brand for silk has been Equipment, particularly their button up shirts. With Equipment, I pay about $200 USD per shirt on sale, but the retail price is really $300 USD.

Grana silk shirts are $45 USD by comparison, so about 1/6 of the price.

But how do they really compare side by side? When I held the two pieces together, I can feel that the Grana silk is slightly thinner, but not so thin that it feels cheap or too shiny or flat that it doesn’t feel soft and luxurious (Kate Spade, I am looking at your silk-but-feels-like-polyester skirts!)

Again, the silk is very good for its price point, and the cut is not too low (I hate lowcut tanks). It is work appropriate as a shell, and the colour is perfectly true to what I saw online. I received this exact shade of olive khaki green.

WOULD I BUY THESE SILK PIECES AGAIN?

I’m already eying the blue, the red, and all the other colours they have to add more silk shells to my wardrobe. Basic, silk tank tops.

CASHMERE JOGGING PANTS

WHY I BOUGHT IT

 

I like having warm legs during the winter. Cashmere or wool was on my list for a set of sweatpants. I was thinking I’d wear cashmere sweatpants over leggings but I have just been wearing them as-is and have been feeling warm, cosy, and swathed in cashmere the whole day lounging at home.

They TOTALLY FIT THE BILL.

..AND POCKETS. Did I mention that there are POCKETS.

SIZING

True to size! I took the small and it is loose but not too loose. It would be the right size for a US 4.

There is a drawstring for the pants, but I didn’t need to use them, the waistband is wide and thick enough to hold up everything. The length of the pants are also long enough for my legs and a little looser (I am 5’6″), and the bottom of the pants are a thicker waistband for the bottom of the pants (to stay closed, and not ride up to let in any drafts), rather than a thick elastic that cuts into your ankles.

Very comfortable.

COLOUR

The colour was also exactly as shown online. A perfect light grey.

CUT

I have been OBSESSED WITH THESE PANTS. I want another pair or two. The cashmere is soft, and only in the very slightest do I feel a few fibres on my super sensitive eczema-laden skin but not itchy enough to bother me.

Frankly, unless you plan on paying thousands for high-end cashmere (or even if you do), this is the best you’re going to get at this price point ($149 USD).

I find them soft, and very VERY warm. I don’t know why I held off on cashmere jogging pants for so long, but I need to fix that stat.

I’ll be buying a few more pairs to wear in the wintertime (inside of course, not outside).

I’d show pictures but they look just like the model.. but WITH POCKETS.

GRANA V-NECK CASHMERE BOYFRIEND SWEATER

WHY I BOUGHT IT

I really like neutral v-neck cashmere sweaters, and they are classics with ankle pants and ballet flats, or with some high-rise jeans tucked into boots for the winter.

 

SIZING

True to size! I took the small and it is loose but not too loose. It would be the right size for a US 4 if you want that cut. I could even size down to an XS.

It is also a boyfriend cut, so it means it’s looser, so you could probably size down if you wanted it tighter, or just buy their regular cashmere v-neck that isn’t a boyfriend cut.

Very comfortable.

COLOUR

The colour was also exactly as shown online. A perfect navy blue just like the navy silk shirt.

I am not sure if this is because the cashmere was dyed navy blue but I found it slightly stiffer than the cashmere jogging pants. I’d buy this style again for sure, a classic v-neck, but only in the greys (the heather grey is really pretty), and not in a colour that is too dark because of the difference I felt on my skin must have been from the dye.

It is still comfortable but not as soft and puppy-snuggle-like as the grey cashmere jogging pants.

CUT

The cut is loose and a real boyfriend style but not too oversized that you feel like you could have purchased that in the men’s department.

 

GRANA QUALITY OF CASHMERE

It’s very good for the price point. I think it’s on par with J. Crew, but Grana costs $99 USD instead of $300 USD.

I think the grey jogging pants are phenomenal and I am buying a few more pairs of them once I can justify the purchase.

GRANA QUALITY OF CASHMERE VERSUS J. CREW CASHMERE

Their cashmere depending on the colour, is on par with the feel and value of J. Crew cashmere. I would say stick to the LIGHTER coloured versions of the cashmere, rather than black or navy blue because I think the dye does something to the fibres.

I really like the cashmere and the thickness is a good value for the price point.

It’s also warm, as all cashmere.

WOULD I BUY GRANA CASHMERE AGAIN?

Yes, if it was the lighter shades, greys, and DEFINITELY THOSE JOGGING PANTS. They’re killer.

Thank you again, Grana for partnering with me on this post, all opinions expressed above are my own.

If you are interested in trying out some of the pieces above, please consider using my referral code for 10% discount over at Grana.