Cashmere is considered one of the most luxurious materials in the world. It offers countless advantages, especially its softness, warmth and lightness. However, even among cashmere lovers there are many myths and misconceptions about this material. Let's look at the most common of them together.
Myth #1: Cashmere originated in Italy
Most of the world's cashmere comes from China and Mongolia. Although Italy is historically known for the production of cashmere clothing, the best cashmere is now roughly 80% processed in China and Mongolia. The raw material itself comes from cashmere goats, primarily from China and Mongolia, where harsh winters provide the right climate for the growth of long, fine cashmere fibers. Cashmere goats are also found in other areas such as New Zealand, Australia, India, Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan, but their production is much smaller.
Myth #2: Cashmere comes from sheep
Cashmere comes exclusively from Kashmiri goats. Wool, such as merino wool, comes from sheep. Kashmiri goats and sheep are two different breeds.
Myth #3: Animals are harmed in the production of cashmere
Cashmere is hand combed or sheared from cashmere goats during the spring when they naturally shed their winter coat. During this process, it is necessary to observe certain principles so that the animals are not harmed in any way. As in any industry, there are some cases of violations of these rules, however, the vast majority of farms are certified. When buying cashmere, look for transparent labels that state where their cashmere comes from. You will thus be sure that neither animals nor people are harmed in the production process.
Myth #4: Good quality cashmere does not pill
All cashmere pilling when worn. Pilling is caused by the mechanical friction of fibers and is common in areas that are stressed such as underarms or where you carry a purse. Anyway, the easy solution to lint is a lint remover, and that's it!
Myth #5: Cashmere should be soft and fluffy
Cashmere becomes softer with wear. If it's incredibly soft when you first buy it, watch out because the cashmere has probably been over-washed or treated with chemicals to make it feel that way. This can shorten the life of the garment.
Myth #6: Cashmere can only be dry-cleaned
You don't need to dry-clean your cashmere; you can wash it by hand. You also don't have to use a special cashmere shampoo (although you can). The baby shampoo is gentle enough to use on cashmere garments. In some cases, you can use the washing machine on a delicate or wool cycle, but we do not recommend this. Hand washing is best to maintain the shape of your cashmere garment and ensure its longevity.
Myth #7: Cashmere is too warm for summer
Cashmere can be worn all year round. It is hygroscopic, meaning it is naturally breathable. It can cool you when it's hot and warm you when it's cold, and it also wicks moisture away from your body. Cashmere comes in different plies (1-ply, 2-ply, 4-ply, etc.), which is the number of fibers that are twisted together to make the yarn. The higher the layer, the warmer the clothing will be, so choose 1-layer clothing (1-ply) for summer.
Myth #8: Not cleaning cashmere clothes will prolong their life
Everything you own wears out over time, and the same goes for cashmere. However, choosing not to clean cashmere will not extend its life. Cashmere can be safely hand washed and should be done so from time to time. If you don't wash your clothes at all, you run the risk of moths who love your cashmere clothes as much as you do.
Myth #9: Layer (ply) is an indicator of quality
A ply is the number of fibers woven together to make a cashmere yarn. 2-ply cashmere, where two strands of yarn are woven together, is stronger than 1-ply and as a result is less likely to show holes. Higher layers, such as 4-layer, add extra weight and heat, but don't necessarily mean higher quality.
Myth #10: Cashmere is expensive
Cashmere garments may be more expensive than others, but when you consider the benefits of cashmere, such as lightness, softness, strength and insulating abilities, as well as breathability and moisture wicking, the benefits outweigh the costs. With proper care, cashmere can last a lifetime. Maybe ours :)
Myth #11: Cashmere cannot be ironed
You can iron cashmere, but you need to follow a few precautions. Clean the iron first to prevent stain transfer, then set the iron to 'low' or 'wool' mode and turn the cashmere garment inside out before ironing. A steamer is also great for treating cashmere.
Myth #12: Pashmina is better than cashmere
Pashmina is the name of a textile from India that is used to make shawls. Pashmina is made from cashmere, traditionally from cashmere goats from India, Pakistan and Nepal. It is not necessarily rarer or finer than other cashmere garments. The term Pashmina is now often misused to refer to shawls made from various materials other than cashmere.
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