Cashmere 101

For any woman living in a cold climate, cashmere isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. It’s also one of the smartest wardrobe investments you’ll ever make thanks to its longevity. One of the most expensive fibers in the world, cashmere quality can run the gamut so knowing what you’re buying is important. Here are some tips and best practices for buying and caring for your cashmere so it goes the distance:

1. You get what you pay for
   When shopping cashmere you’ll notice prices vary from retailer to retailer and brand to brand. While it’s tempting to shop deals, take heed. Lower quality cashmeres are 1-season wonders in disguise, losing shape easliy and pilling often. Buying less and better is the smartest credo when acquiring cashmere because, well, it’s worth every penny.

2. Know your Grades
   Cashmere comes in 3 Grades, a rating system that’s based solely on softness. Grade A is the highest quality and lightest weight, though 8 times warmer than wool (8 times!). Grade B is thicker and less fine while Grade C is the thickest, coarsest and often not considered as pure. These gradings are used by the trade only, so consumers need to first learn about the system, then touch-test to evaluate quality before purchasing. Look for the smoothest, softest and lightest weight when shopping quality.

3. Look at design details
   The smaller the gauge, the finer quality and higher grade the cashmere. So, if stitch details are tiny and difficult to discern, that’s a good thing. If you’re budget-conscious but don’t want to sacrifice quality, look for side seams since seamless cashmere sweaters are more costly to produce. And shop the big brands with deep cashmere inventory for the best value. They buy raw materials in bulk which ultimately means more value for the customer in both price and quality.

4. Store it smartly
   Store your cashmere neatly folded in a dry place with good air flow. Avoid plastic bags as they can trap moisture and also avoid cardboard boxes — they break down cashmere fibers over time and ultimately destroy them.

5. Hand pilling only!
   Never, ever use electric pill removers or razor blades to rid your cashmere of fluff and pills. Both can ruin sweaters in an instant, so don’t find out the hard way. Use only hand-held pill tools or a fine-tooth comb. Stay low-tech to preserve your cashmere!

See BestLifeOnline.com press feature here.