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Raw material -

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.

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Cashmere wool -

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.

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"Mantle of kings" -

Cashmere has been described as the "mantle of kings" for its luxurious, velvet-like texture.

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Production process -

The intricate cashmere production process requires fibers to be separated by hand from the animals' coats. It's a time-consuming process.

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Centuries-old industry -

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.

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Cashmere goat populations -

Besides northern India, there are sizeable cashmere goat populations in China and Mongolia. The animals are also bred in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and Kyrgyzstan.

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Cashmere shawl -

By the 18th century, trading in cashmere had introduced the iconic cashmere shawl to the Western world. England and France were enthusiastic clients.

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Imperial approval -

Joséphine Bonaparte, Empress of France, was an early customer of cashmere. She was rumored to own hundreds of shawls.

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Fashionable and expensive -

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.

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Why is cashmere costly? -

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.

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Cashmere suit -

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.

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Jump in popularity -

But where cashmere truly became popular was in the manufacture of jumpers, sweaters, and cardigans.

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Cashmere sweater -

Cashmere fiber is hollow. It's therefore extremely soft and light. Sweaters work almost as undergarments, their fine texture delicate to the skin.

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Thermal insulating qualities -

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.

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For all seasons -

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.

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Accessorizing with cashmere -

Besides jumpers and sweaters, pure cashmere can be can dyed and spun into yarns and knitted into all sorts of accessories.

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Cashmere beanie -

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.

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Cashmere scarves -

Scarves, together with gloves and socks, can all be knitted using pure cashmere.

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Custom cashmere -

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.

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Cashmere suits -

Cashmere and cotton blends are a good choice for formal office wear or lighter summer-weight suits.

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Cashmere coats -

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.

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Winter warmer -

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.

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Caring for cashmere -

Cashmere is a naturally delicate fabric and needs to be treated and cared for as such.

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Cleaning cashmere -

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.

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Washing cashmere sweaters -

Cashmere jumpers and sweaters are best turned inside out before washing. Soak for five minutes before gently squeezing and rinsing.

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Dry cashmere flat -

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.

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What ruins cashmere? -

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.

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Can cashmere be dry cleaned? -

Ignore what the label says, at least on occasion. Over time, dry cleaning cashmere will damage and break down the fabric's delicate fibers.

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Long-term investment -

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)

See also: Bizarre fashion trends form each decade

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