What is Cashmere?
Cashmere is a textile that is known for being luxurious, warm, and super soft. It has been used for centuries to make clothing like sweaters, scarves, shawls, hats, gloves, socks, and cardigans, as well as home accessories like blankets and throws.
In addition to being warm, insulating, and comfortable, cashmere is also lightweight making it perfect for layering or wearing in the colder months. As a fabric, it is truly timeless and never goes out of fashion. Here is everything you need to know about this soft, easy to wear fabric.
What is Cashmere Made of?
Cashmere is primarily composed of the fine, downy fibers found in the undercoat of cashmere goats. These goats are mainly found in regions with harsh climates, like Mongolia, Tibet, and parts of China. To survive the seriously cold temperatures, they’ve developed a soft and insulating undercoat. It is this undercoat that holds the key to cashmere.
Our cashmere comes from Mongolia, where temperatures can reach -40 degrees, meaning these beautiful goats grow a longer winter coat that is shed as the weather warms up.
What Material is Cashmere?
The material that makes up cashmere is essentially the fine and soft fibers that naturally shed from the cashmere goats during the spring months.
These fibers are carefully collected, and their quality is assessed based on factors like length, thickness, and color. The highest quality cashmere fibers are fine and uniform in texture, making for the softest, coziest feel.
Why is Cashmere so Soft?
Cashmere's exceptional softness is down to the type of goat that the fibers in the fabric are made from. The softest cashmere is based on the thickness and the natural crimp of the fibers.
Cashmere fibers are extremely thin, measuring about 14-19 microns in diameter. This fineness gives them a soft, downy feel that sets cashmere apart from coarser wools. The fibers have a natural crimp or waviness, which makes them feel even softer. This crimp creates tiny air pockets within the fabric, enhancing the insulating properties of cashmere and making it exceptionally soft against the skin.
Why is Cashmere so Good?
If you’re wondering why cashmere is so popular and sought-after for everything from clothing to homewares, there are really four main reasons that it is so good:
- Exceptional warmth: Despite being so lightweight, cashmere is also remarkably warm too, making it ideal for cozy winter wear. It traps heat effectively, keeping you snug in cold weather.
- Breathable: Cashmere lets air circulate to regulate your body temperature. This means it keeps you warm when it is chilly and cool when it is hot. You will be comfortable whatever the weather.
- Durable: High-quality cashmere is known for its durability and longevity. With proper care, cashmere can last for years, making it a worthwhile investment in style.
- Luxurious: Cashmere is known for being a luxurious, sophisticated fabric that can completely elevate your look.
Cashmere is far more than just a fabric, it is testament to the incredible properties of nature's finest fibers. From the fine undercoat of cashmere goats to the delicate craftsmanship that transforms these fibers into beautiful clothing and accessories, cashmere is a cozy and elegant choice. Whether you want it for warmth, style, or for its luxe feeling, you never regret wearing cashmere
