Suzy Hutchinson / 01 January 2025 / Categories: Opinions, Internet, Online Retail, Websites

Laycuna Cashmere Socks From Brand Alley

I used to be in TK Maxx a couple of times a week. I loved their accessories especially the lingerie and socks. I am partial to luxury versions of both, Pantherella made in UK cashmere socks at £50 plus per pair, Brora cashmere, possibly closer to £100, Johnston’s of Elgin, another brand I love out of my price range. I used to rummage and always find my cashmere socks in TK Maxx. Not anymore.

I’ve tried the White company, they are a bit cheaper but the reason is they are not so nice, a bit thin and more of an ankle sock than a pair you can wear with wellies or longer boots.

Last year we bought the John Lewis ribbed ones in the M/L larger size, cashmere socks will shrink a bit even when very carefully hand washed. They retailed for £35 but I waited until the 20% off and bought a load for gifts for £28.

These were a good deal, I’ve been wearing these all year. They are 3:4 in length, they came in a lot of colour choices, they were made in Italy and my big toe nail didn’t go through them in 12 months. This was a result.

This year I actually did better than the John Lewis ones. I purchased a pair of Laycuna 100% cashmere socks on Brand Alley, sort of the online equivalent of TK Maxx. It said the Laycuna socks were originally £89 on sale for £35.

I bought navy, red and grey (once again sorry no black) and these socks are super thick and luxurious. Like walking on very expensive carpet:

The quality of Laycuna socks is way better than the John Lewis equivalent, the only thing to note is the Laycuna socks did bobble after some intensive wear. A few weeks in wellingtons walking the dogs every day. I was able to pick all the bobbles off, hand wash them and bring them back to like new state beautifully. The only place I can see wear is on the heels where they are thinner. They were made in China compared to Italy for the John Lewis ones where the human rights record for garment workers is better.

When shopping for cashmere, I find it useful to know where the garment was made and by who because it’s easier to work out how good it’s going to be when you cannot feel the textile before making your purchase.

I am not sure if Laycuna London is an actual brand, I cannot find a website and social media pages go straight to brand alley so I am assuming this is something created by Brand Alley, a brand within a brand like TK Maxx used to do a lot: (to sort of fool consumers into thinking they are getting something cheaper because TK Maxx or Brand Alley have purchased in bulk direct from the brand.

That said the socks even if Brand Alley did produce them in China and then just called them Laycuna London for the purpose of selling them with the “discount” were still better quality for the price than anything else I could find.