Is Cashmere Worth the Cost?

Cashmere has a reputation for luxury, softness and warmth that few other materials can match. But with its premium price tag you might be left wondering: is cashmere worth the cost?

If you’re questioning why cashmere, and whether it is the right investment for your wardrobe, here is everything you need to know to make a decision.

What is cashmere?

Cashmere is a natural fibre that is used to create luxury clothing, accessories and homeware. It is soft, warm and feels beautiful on the skin.

Cashmere is created from the soft undercoat of specific breeds of Cashmere goats. The cashmere we use in our garments comes from Inner Mongolia, where the winters are extremely cold. It is these extreme conditions that make the goats grow an extra warm undercoat to keep them protected from the elements.

Where does cashmere come from?

The journey of cashmere begins in the spring when Cashmere goats naturally shed their winter undercoat. This undercoat consists of fine, downy fibres that are incredibly soft and insulating. Farmers carefully harvest these precious fibres, a process known as "cashmere harvest”, to create the luxurious material we know and love.

Is cashmere good quality?

Cashmere is renowned for its exceptional quality, and the cashmere we use is no different. We carefully source and process the highest quality fibres in our cashmere using only the longest and finest fibres for our knitwear. We manage each step of the process extremely carefully to ensure that all of the cashmere we use in our garments lives up to that standard.

It has an unmatched softness thanks to its exceptionally fine fibres. This gives the cashmere a soft, downy texture that is quite unlike anything else. It is also extremely lightweight, but still provides incredible warmth, trapping heat efficiently without feeling bulky. You will also find it has amazing breathability so it helps to regulate your body temperature.

Despite its softness and fine fibres, cashmere is also known for its durability and longevity. With proper care, cashmere can last a long time, making it a great investment in style and your wardrobe. Not all cashmere is created equally. Here is how to tell the difference between cashmere qualities.

Why is cashmere more expensive than other materials?

Cashmere is renowned for its luxurious softness and warmth, but it does have a reputation for being more expensive. This is down to a few different factors.

Firstly, the limited availability of true cashmere is a significant factor. Cashmere fibre is exclusively sourced from the soft undercoat of Cashmere goats. These goats produce a relatively small amount of cashmere each year, and for us, it has to be the best quality.

The harvesting process is labour-intensive and requires skilled workers to comb or shear the goats during the cashmere harvest season. This delicate procedure ensures the fibres remain intact and undamaged. There are then costs that come with careful processing. Because we only use the best fibres, there is some wastage in the process too.

The fine and delicate nature of cashmere fibres demands specialised processing techniques, including spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing, all of which require equipment and skilled craftsmanship. Quality control is meticulous. Fibres are sorted by colour and quality, tested for softness and fineness, and scrutinised for consistency.