- The quality of cashmere depends on the fineness and length of the fibre.
- Origin, weight and finishing set exceptional cashmere apart from the ordinary.
- Good cashmere, well cared for, improves with time and lasts for years.
Soft, warm and light, cashmere is one of the noblest materials in the luxury wardrobe. But behind the same name lie very different qualities. Here is how to recognise exceptional cashmere.
The fibre makes the difference
Great cashmere is recognised by the fineness and length of its fibres. Drawn from the down of goats raised at high altitude, the longest and finest fibres produce a resilient yarn that pills little. Conversely, short fibres, often cheaper, make a knit that degrades quickly. Provenance, notably from Mongolia, is a mark of quality.
Recognising good cashmere
The feel, the weight and the finishing reveal the quality. Exceptional cashmere is soft without being fluffy, dense and supple at once. The weight, that is the amount of material, indicates the richness of the knit: a thick, heavy jumper says a great deal. Check the seams, the way the shape holds and the regularity of the stitch.
Caring for it to last
Well cared for, cashmere improves over time. Wash it by hand or on a cold wool cycle with a gentle product, then dry it flat without hanging. Folding is preferable to a hanger, which distorts. Occasional combing removes pilling. Investing in fine cashmere means treating yourself to a timeless piece that crosses the seasons.
