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Cashmere wool is a fiber obtained from the cashmere goat. These sturdy, sure-footed beasts call the Himalayan region of Kashmir and the East Asian steppe home.
Cashmere has been described as the "mantle of kings" for its luxurious, velvet-like texture.
The intricate cashmere production process requires fibers to be separated by hand from the animals' coats. It's a time-consuming process.
Cashmere wool is prized for its soft, fine, and delicate qualities, and because it's three times more insulating than lamb's wool. The goat's wooly undercoat is what becomes cashmere.
Cashmere wool production dates back hundreds of years to at least the 17th century. The material gets its name from the northernmost Indian region of Kashmir.
Besides northern India, there are sizeable cashmere goat populations in China and Mongolia. The animals are also bred in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and Kyrgyzstan.
By the 18th century, trading in cashmere had introduced the iconic cashmere shawl to the Western world. England and France were enthusiastic clients.
Joséphine Bonaparte, Empress of France, was an early customer of cashmere. She was rumored to own hundreds of shawls.
Following in Joséphine's exotic taste, women in French high society began dressing in Indian muslin and cashmere shawls. As such, the accessory became more intricate in pattern, with a price tag to match.
But where cashmere truly became popular was in the manufacture of jumpers, sweaters, and cardigans.
Cashmere is costly because it takes the wool from three to four goats to make just one coat. Factor in the fabric's luxurious quality, and you have one of the most expensive garments on the market.
The 20th century saw cashmere become more accessible to the general public. And the material was also being used increasingly in men's fashion. Pictured is a wool cashmere wedding suit from 1922.
Cashmere fiber is hollow. It's therefore extremely soft and light. Sweaters work almost as undergarments, their fine texture delicate to the skin.
The minute air chambers inside the fiber also act as a thermal insulator to lend the material the exceptional property of thermo-regulating the body relative to external temperatures.
This makes cashmere a material for all seasons. It's warm and soft, but at the same time light and resistant, its hollow fibers keeping the wearer warm and dry.
Besides jumpers and sweaters, pure cashmere can be can dyed and spun into yarns and knitted into all sorts of accessories.
Cashmere beanies, ribbed hats, and cable hats are super comfortable and warm to wear. And all sit on the head as if sculptured onto the skull.
Cashmere fashion extends to custom-made apparel. Cashmere wool can be woven into a variety of styles and it has some natural stretch, so it will not lose its shape.
Scarves, together with gloves and socks, can all be knitted using pure cashmere.
Cashmere and cotton blends are a good choice for formal office wear or lighter summer-weight suits.
Coats are one of the most desirable items made from cashmere. The fabric's relative resistance to wear and tear is one good reason to invest in one.
A cashmere coat is a fashionable wintertime asset in that the fabric is better at trapping heat without extra weight or bulk. And cashmere is rain-friendly, though if you don't properly dry the fabric it could stretch or shrink.
Cashmere is a naturally delicate fabric and needs to be treated and cared for as such.
Cashmere garments should always be handwashed. Use liquid soap or premium hair shampoo with two-in-one conditioner in clean 30°C (86°F) water.
Cashmere jumpers and sweaters are best turned inside out before washing. Soak for five minutes before gently squeezing and rinsing.
Avoid using a tumble dryer to dry cashmere. It's not wise to rub it dry either. Instead, dry your garment flat, away from direct heat and sunlight.
Cashmere does not take kindly to chemical additives, such as scents, and dyes. Overuse of fabric softener is also detrimental to the fabric's natural fibers.
Ignore what the label says, at least on occasion. Over time, dry cleaning cashmere will damage and break down the fabric's delicate fibers.
Purchasing cashmere is an investment. And looked after properly, your cashmere garment will help enhance your figure, and your fashion status, for many decades.
Sources: (ScienceDirect) (Pura Cashmere) (The New York Times)
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Cashmere is known as the "mantle of kings" for its delicate, super soft appearance and luxurious texture. Indeed, it's often referred to as the jewel in the crown of fabric. Cashmere is a rare and precious material, and expensive! Yet investing in a sweater or coat made from this cozy natural fiber can only enhance your figure and fashion status. But where does cashmere come from, and what exactly can you do with it?
Click through and find out why cashmere is so cool.
How cool is cashmere?
Reasons to dress in the "mantle of kings"
FASHION Clothing
Cashmere is known as the "mantle of kings" for its delicate, super soft appearance and luxurious texture. Indeed, it's often referred to as the jewel in the crown of fabric. Cashmere is a rare and precious material, and expensive! Yet investing in a sweater or coat made from this cozy natural fiber can only enhance your figure and fashion status. But where does cashmere come from, and what exactly can you do with it?
Click through and find out why cashmere is so cool.