Johnstons of Elgin vs. Loro Piana: Brand comparison [2026 updated]

Johnstons of Elgin delivers heritage-rich luxury through traditional Scottish craftsmanship, offering high-quality cashmere and wool at a more accessible price point. In contrast, Loro Piana operates in the ultra-luxury tier, defined by its use of exceptionally rare fibers like vicuña, innovative Italian textile technology, and significantly higher prices. While both brands champion understated elegance, Johnstons of Elgin focuses on classic, durable pieces, whereas Loro Piana is synonymous with modern minimalism and extreme softness.

Let's compare these two masters of fine fibers to help you decide which brand is the right investment for your wardrobe.

Johnstons of Elgin: The Heritage of Scottish Craftsmanship

Founded in 1797, Johnstons of Elgin is a Scottish institution with over two centuries of expertise in crafting fine textiles. The brand is for those who appreciate authentic heritage, traditional manufacturing, and timeless style. Their core customer values durability and classic design, seeking versatile luxury pieces like sweaters, scarves, and blankets that are made to last for generations.

• Product mix: A focused collection of luxury essentials including cashmere and wool sweaters, scarves, coats, and home textiles like blankets and throws.
• Price point: Luxury, but relatively accessible. Cashmere scarves are typically in the $200–$400 range, sweaters cost between $300–$700, and blankets start around $400.
• Quality & Materials: Known for exceptionally soft and durable cashmere and merino wool, sourced from reputable producers in Mongolia and Australia. Their traditional Scottish manufacturing process results in excellent pilling resistance and long-lasting quality.
• Style & Aesthetic: Classic, timeless, and understated. The designs draw from Scottish heritage with a focus on versatile, natural colors like navy, grey, camel, and cream.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run true to size with a classic, comfortable fit that isn't overly tailored, making it ideal for layering.
• Sustainability & Ethics: Highly committed to responsible fiber sourcing, using eco-friendly dyeing processes, and supporting their local Scottish community and workforce.

Johnstons of Elgin offers an excellent balance of heritage, superior quality, and value, making it a great choice for foundational luxury knitwear.

Shop Johnstons of Elgin: johnstonsofelgin.com

Loro Piana: Italian Ultra-Luxury Textiles

Loro Piana, founded in 1924, is an Italian brand at the pinnacle of the luxury goods world. The company is revered for its mastery of sourcing and processing the rarest and finest natural fibers available. Loro Piana caters to a discerning, elite clientele who seek refined, modern pieces that prioritize material excellence, unparalleled comfort, and quiet sophistication above all else.

• Product mix: A complete ready-to-wear collection for men and women, including outerwear, knitwear, trousers, and accessories, all centered on exceptional textiles.
• Price point: Positioned at the very top of the luxury market. Cashmere scarves can range from $500–$1,500, sweaters often cost $1,000–$3,000, and coats made from rare fibers can exceed $5,000.
• Quality & Materials: Unmatched in materials. Loro Piana is famous for its vicuña - the rarest animal fiber in the world - as well as baby cashmere and other exclusive textiles. Their innovation in fabric finishing creates a remarkably soft, light, and silky feel.
• Style & Aesthetic: Minimalist, modern, and clean. The aesthetic is built on sophisticated, neutral tones and timeless silhouettes that blend traditional Italian elegance with contemporary style.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is precise and consistent, with a tendency toward a slightly tailored, sleek fit that flatters the body without being restrictive.
• Sustainability & Ethics: A leader in sustainable and ethical sourcing. The brand works directly with communities in places like Peru and Mongolia to ensure the welfare of the animals and support local producers.

Loro Piana represents the ultimate investment in material quality and minimalist design for those who want the absolute finest textiles in the world.

Shop Loro Piana: loropiana.com

Johnstons of Elgin vs. Loro Piana Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference between the two brands is significant and reflects their market positioning. A classic cashmere scarf from Johnstons of Elgin might cost $250, while a similar style from Loro Piana would likely start around $600 and go up dramatically depending on the specific cashmere grade.

This gap widens with clothing. A Johnstons V-neck sweater in merino wool or cashmere could be around $500, while a Loro Piana equivalent sweater in top-tier cashmere may cost over $2,000. Loro Piana’s use of materials like vicuña places some of its items in a price category of their own. Johnstons of Elgin provides entry into high-end knitwear, while Loro Piana serves the ultra-luxury consumer for whom price is secondary to material purity.

Quality & Materials

Both brands offer exceptional quality, but their focus differs. Johnstons of Elgin is a master of durable, high-quality cashmere and wool. Their products are made to be worn and lived in, offering fantastic softness combined with robust construction that resists pilling and lasts for decades.

Loro Piana, however, operates on another level of fiber rarity. Their expertise is in sourcing and weaving materials like vicuña and baby cashmere that are known for having the finest fiber diameters, resulting in an almost weightless, supremely soft hand feel. Their innovation also extends to technical fabrics with weatherproof treatments. While both are excellent, Loro Piana’s materials are often more delicate and exclusive.

Style & Aesthetic

Both brands prefer timeless elegance over fleeting trends. Johnstons of Elgin grounds its aesthetic in its Scottish roots, offering classic cable-knit sweaters, traditional tartan scarves, and simple, functional silhouettes. The feeling is cozy, heritage-inspired, and slightly more traditional.

Loro Piana’s aesthetic is pure Italian modernism: clean lines, understated colors, and perfection in simplicity. Their look is refined, sleek, and effortlessly sophisticated. It is luxury that never shouts, appealing to those who want impeccable tailoring and a minimalist feel. Johnstons leans classic and heritage, Loro Piana leans modern and minimalist.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands provide accurate and predictable sizing. Johnstons of Elgin generally offers a classic fit that allows for easy movement and comfortable layering. It’s designed to be functional and timeless without being overly boxy or slim.

Loro Piana's fit is typically more tailored and follows the body more closely, consistent with its sleek Italian design sensibility. Outerwear maintains a sharp silhouette, and knitwear is often cut to drape elegantly rather than hang loosely. For a more structured, tailored fit, Loro Piana is often preferred, while Johnstons is ideal for classic comfort.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal priorities: tradition and value versus extreme luxury and modern minimalism.

Choose Johnstons of Elgin if:

• You appreciate deep-rooted heritage stories and traditional, time-tested craftsmanship.
• You are looking for an excellent balance of luxury quality and a more accessible, reasonable price.
• Your personal style is classic, and you prefer timeless pieces like a perfect crewneck sweater or a checked scarf.
• You want durable luxury goods that are meant to be worn regularly and last a lifetime.

Choose Loro Piana if:

• You seek the absolute finest and most exclusive materials in the world, and budget is not your primary concern.
• The unparalleled softness of fibers like vicuña and baby cashmere is your top priority.
• Your aesthetic is modern, minimalist, and quintessentially elegant.
• You are buying a true investment piece and want the status that comes with one of the most respected names in ultra-luxury.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Loro Piana or Johnstons of Elgin more expensive?

Loro Piana is significantly more expensive than Johnstons of Elgin across all product categories. Piana's positioning is at the highest end of the luxury market, largely due to its use of rare fibers like vicuña, which commands a much higher price than standard high-quality cashmere.

Which brand has better quality?

Both brands offer outstanding quality, but they specialize in different areas. Loro Piana is superior in terms of fiber rarity, softness, and textile innovation. Johnstons of Elgin excels in creating durable, robust, and expertly crafted cashmere and wool that offers remarkable longevity and pilling resistance for its price point. Your definition of "better" will depend on whether you prioritize absolute softness or long-term durability.

What is Johnstons of Elgin famous for?

Johnstons of Elgin is famous for its vertically integrated Scottish mills, where they have been processing wool and cashmere since 1797. They are renowned for their classic cashmere scarves, sweaters, and tweed fabrics, all produced with a focus on heritage craftsmanship.

What is Loro Piana famous for?

Loro Piana is famous for being the world's foremost purveyor of ultra-fine and rare natural fibers. The brand is particularly known for its exclusive use of vicuña and baby cashmere, as well as for its innovative fabric treatments that create unbelievably soft, lightweight, and often functional luxury textiles.

Are Johnstons of Elgin products made in Scotland?

Yes, a key part of the brand's identity is that its products are made in its own mills in Elgin and Hawick, Scotland. They control the entire production process from raw fiber to finished garment, ensuring exceptional quality control.

Where are Loro Piana products made?

Loro Piana's products are proudly made in Italy. The brand operates several state-of-the-art mills in Northern Italy where its expert artisans process raw fibers and craft them into finished textiles and garments.

Which brand is better for a classic cashmere sweater?

For a durable, timeless, and high-value classic cashmere sweater, Johnstons of Elgin is an excellent choice. If you are seeking the softest possible feel and a modern, sleek fit with price being no object, Loro Piana offers an unparalleled product.