Cashmere fabric boasts an ultra-soft touch and three times greater insulating capacity than wool, making it a premium fabric with lasting qualities. A good one should provide years of enjoyment!
Diamond recommends that consumers test a sweater’s quality by rubbing it on their hands; short fibers will appear as snags and pills on a hand rub, as will gauge, yarn quality and tension issues.
Style
Cashmere is a luxurious material, which offers immediate comfort and warmth. Once prized as one of Europe’s finest fabrics for formal dresses and other formal wear worn by European nobility, its association with high culture still defines cashmere today.
Cashmere wool is very lightweight and delicate, which limits its use in outerwear garments like trenchcoats or pea coats that typically utilize other types of wool fiber. Furthermore, due to its delicate properties, cashmere tends to be more costly than its counterparts.
Neiman Marcus offers many casual yet warm cashmere sweaters suitable for everyday wear that combine style with comfort, such as the Vince v-neck cashmere sweater on sale which provides the ideal blend of style and coziness. Wear it with jeans paired with black leather jacket for a sophisticated look or pair it with skirts worn over-the-knee boots for more casual attire.
Another approach to finding an amazing cashmere sweater is shopping sustainably. Most experts agree that ethical and responsible sourcing are essential. You can do this by searching for traceable yarns, eco-friendly dyeing techniques and brands who promote their sustainability initiatives on their websites – like Jenni Kayne’s elevated Fisherman sweater which uses traceable Mongolian cashmere with minimal environmental impact.
Cashmere blends can sometimes be seen, although this practice is unusual. Blending synthetic fibers with cashmere may add durability and stretchability; it could be particularly effective for socks. But be mindful that a lower quality blend might mean your sweater won’t be as soft or durable compared to all-cashmere pieces.
Care is also key when it comes to cashmere sweaters. Most care labels will suggest dry cleaning; however, you may also gently hand wash them – just avoid overwashing as this can damage the fabric’s elasticity. Also important: store cashmere sweaters in a cool, dry location away from moths by using natural repellents such as cedar blocks or lavender sachets and avoid stacking heavy loads on them as this can compress their fibers and lead to wrinkles.
Warmth
Cashmere is naturally warm, yet light-weight – making it perfect for layering. Unlike cotton or wool blends, cashmere breathes better than cotton or wool blends, so multiple wears between washes is possible without ruining its shape or keeping you comfortable throughout the day. Fabric softener may hasten this natural process further but this could damage its fabric quality; therefore be patient as your cashmere softens on its own with time.
Cashmere provides cozy warmth thanks to its ability to trap air, keeping you toasty without overheating. Furthermore, its light weight enhances its insulating capabilities even more effectively without bulk or sticking to your body.
To craft cashmere sweaters, the raw fibers from goat coats must first be collected and spun into yarn before being dyed (if necessary). Finally, this yarn can then be knitted into textile products like scarves, hats and sweaters.
When purchasing a sweater, it’s essential that you look for either 100% cashmere or high quality cashmere blend. Low quality cashmere will pill quickly while longer and thinner strands of Grade A cashmere tend to shed less or pill less frequently. When selecting cashmere fabric you can test its quality by running your finger along its fabric – loose fibers that ball up easily indicate low quality materials; to avoid this situation look for garments marked “100% cashmere”.
To minimize washing and pilling, wear your cashmere pieces five to six times before throwing them in the wash. A sweater spray may help refresh them between washes. If it becomes necessary, hand washing with cold water and mild detergent is usually best as putting cashmere pieces in the dryer may damage its fibers and stretch out of shape; should this happen accidentally it would be wise to apply sweater spray immediately afterwards to help retain its shape.
Softness
Cashmere differs from sheep wool in that it comes from goats’ fine undercoats, making it much softer, lighter, and warmer than other sweater materials. Although its soft feel might suggest its quality or durability, its value depends on many other factors including price, source of raw material used for production, mill reputation and brand commitment to sustainability.
Before purchasing a men’s cashmere V-neck sweater, it is crucial to read its care instructions thoroughly. Most brands recommend hand washing or dry cleaning in order to preserve its fibers. Laundering should take place using cold or lukewarm water with mild laundry detergent designed specifically for delicate fabrics; fabric softeners may damage yarn’s natural softness causing shrinking or felting of garment. Afterward, reshape and lay flat until drying has taken place naturally.
Cashmere sweaters should be stored in a cool, dark area away from direct sunlight and should ideally be placed inside of zippered plastic bags or cotton pillowcases for moth damage prevention. Natural moth repellents like cedar blocks or lavender sachets may also help keep garments free from insects and fresh.
Although cheap cashmere sweaters may be available, investing in high-quality cashmere will prove far more worthwhile as it will remain soft and comfortable over time.
As well as micron counts, look out for numbers indicating how many yarn strands have been twisted together to form fabric. Two-ply cashmere is considered of highest quality because it offers warmth without rigidity – the more plies there are in a fabric the thicker it will become.
While pilling is possible with any type of sweater, cashmere sweaters are especially susceptible to pilling. To reduce this risk, limit how often you wash it and don’t over-wash it; additionally, after each wear you should gently brush away any developing pills with a sweater comb or lint shaver.
Quality
Quality cashmere sweaters are essential, which is why experts advise buying from trusted brands such as Loro Piana (which produces some of the softest, pill-resistant sweaters available today) or Nakedcashmere (with sustainable designs that remain luxurious).
When looking at cashmere sweaters, pay particular attention to its length and fiber density. A longer fiber can make for a longer-term and softer wearing experience while finer fibers may be more delicate and fragile over time.
Keep an eye out for gauge (GG) and plly count when making purchases; these factors indicate how tight and warm a knit is. As previously noted, higher plly counts indicate more durable yarn; though there is no set industry standard regarding either gauge or plly counts.
Care for your cashmere sweater by hand washing it in cold water; never put it through a machine as this could stretch and damage its fibers. Reshape and lay flat to dry. Spritz with fabric freshener spray to deodorize and keep smelling clean!
Garnet Hill offers an easy, machine-washable sweater perfect for low maintenance requirements: this jersey-knit option available in sizes XS through L is made with ethically-sourced two-ply cashmere that has been certified by the Sustainable Fibre Alliance as having low environmental impacts and herder welfare considerations as well as animal welfare certification.
Nakedcashmere provides another high-quality yet budget-friendly option with this crew neck, featuring an attractively subtly ribbed neckline that creates a flat seam. In addition, the brand prioritizes sustainability: their yarns are recycled while its factory partners with the Sustainable Textile Exchange to promote environmental practices.
Jenni Kayne offers this turtleneck as an eye-catching option if you are willing to spend more. Crafted from luxurious cashmere sourced from Mongolia and Italy, its details add durability with features like its flat seam that reduces stress on stitches, two-tone pattern, and its fair pricing policy that supports herder welfare and ethical production.
