Some Questions and Answers about Cashmere

What is it like to wear cashmere?

That depends on the quality of the cashmere.

If you have ever been lucky enough to have worn both the high street budget quality and the luxury of the very best but expensive cashmere, you will feel the difference.

There is no comparison. The feeling of the best high quality cashmere against your skin, is the most comforting feeling. And knowing that, with gentle hand washing, the garments is going to last you for many years to come.

Wearing high quality cashmere also makes you feel very confident. You may have treated yourself or have had it given to you as gift, but either way, wearing your garments gives you a wonderful feeling of confidence. Confidence of knowing that you deserve to wear the very best.
We all desire some luxury item every now and then in our lives. Some days it might be just a box of delicious chocolates, a bunch of your favourite flowers, jewellery etc. But to have at least one piece of the very best cashmere in your wardrobe, is sheer indulgence. Just stroking the silken feel garment while you are wearing it, is such a wonderful feeling of opulence.

Why is the best quality cashmere so expensive?

The answer is, because it takes one goat alone, four years to produce enough wool to make just one cashmere cardigan or sweater. Years ago, royalty were the only people who could afford to wear cashmere.

Why are some cashmere cheaper than others?

The most expensive cashmere is taken from the underbelly and the neck of the Kashmir goat. The fibres from these places is longer and this length is what makes for much softer wool and less "pilling" of the yarn when worn.

The cheaper cashmeres are made from the shorter fibres, which are taken from the backs and legs. This yarn is less expensive and therefore can produce cheaper cashmere garments. However, it will not last as long nor will it wear as well as the best quality cashmere.
© AnneMarie-Callan 2006 http://www.annemarie-callan.com