subject: Why Cashmere Clothes Stand The Fashion Test Of Time [print this page] Cashmere clothing is in a league of its own due to its extremely soft, luxurious feel and warmth.
The material is derived from the hair of the Cashmere goat, native to the Mongolian desert. In this area, temperatures at night time plunge to as low as minus 40 degrees centigrade, meaning that the goats grow hair that is extremely warm in order to insulate themselves. The Cashmere goat is also found in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, China and Afghanistan. It is the soft under down of the goat's coat which is used in clothing, and this is separated from the coarse upper coat by means of a process called de-hairing.
The percentage of the hair contained within clothing can vary greatly. It is often mixed with silk which makes it cheaper to buy. Always check the label to make sure you are buying the amount of the wool that you want.
As with many luxury market items, you should be wary of fakes. Buying from a reputable source should safeguard against this, but there are many imitation garments around; usually the fine hair is blended with sheep's wool and sold as pure, when it is not.
Cashmere care
The material is easy to care for, and should last for many years, providing you are gentle with the garment. It's best to hand wash it in lukewarm water with a good quality soap, and make sure you never wring the garment out as this will spoil it. Simply place it on to a big towel, and roll it up to squeeze out any excess water, then leave it to dry flat on a clean towel. Don't hang it up to dry or it may stretch out of shape. You can iron once dry on a very low heat. Failing this, have the garment dry-cleaned.
The moth is the enemy of all things cashmere; the most important thing you can do for your garment is to keep it clean, as dirt attracts moths. Try to store the garment in a sealed bag which will also guard against moths, and not on a hanger. If you don't want to wash your garment yet, you can place it in the freezer overnight in a plastic bag, and this will kill any moth larvae that may be hiding in the fabric, ready to nibble the material.
You may notice, after wearing your new garment a few times, that a little amount of pilling occurs around the areas that the wool touches, such as the sleeves. This is simple to remove; either pick the tiny bobbles off by hand, or with a special comb, a fabric shaver or de-fuzzing device. The garment will feel even softer after this.
by: Dominic Donaldson
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