about cashmere
Cashmere has long been known as “soft gold.” It is said that as early as the 15th and 16th centuries, residents of Kashmir in India began using locally produced goat cashmere to weave various lightweight, soft, warm, and beautiful shawls, which were exported to Europe. These shawls became highly favoured by European fashion enthusiasts, and thus the name “cashmere” was derived from the region of origin.
All About Cashmere
what is cashmere?
Cashmere is a thin layer of fine down that grows beneath the outer coat of goats, close to the roots of the coarse hair. It begins to grow in the winter to protect the goats from the cold, and it naturally sheds when the weather warms in spring. Cashmere is primarily harvested from cashmere goats, and depending on the breed, it can be classified into white, grey, or brown cashmere.
Globally, cashmere goats are mainly found in regions between latitudes 35° and 55° north and longitudes 5° and 120° east. These regions are concentrated in mountainous and highland areas of central Asia, particularly along the Himalayan range and the Mongolian Plateau.
The Difference Between Cashmere and Wool:
Sheep produce wool, while goats produce cashmere.
This is the most significant difference between sheep and goats.
Sheep’s wool is soft, elastic, and highly crimped,
Whereas cashmere from goats is soft, lightweight, warm, and fine.
Both wool and cashmere are natural fibres,
Making them not only excellent for insulation
But also lightweight, biodegradable, and eco-friendly materials.
All About Cashmere
Where Does the World's Finest Cashmere Come From?
The finest cashmere in the world is produced on the Inner Mongolian grasslands in China, specifically from the Erdos Plateau region. This is due not only to the region’s harsh natural environment but also to the presence of the rare, purebred Albas Cashmere Goat.
On the Erdos Plateau, at longitude 105°E and latitude 40°N, where winter temperature differences between day and night can reach up to 50°C, lives the renowned Albas White Cashmere Goat. These small, noble goats have fine, soft hair that resembles a baby’s hair, with a pair of small horns beside their delicate pink ears. They are considered aristocrats among goats, being purebred Albas goats.
Due to the desert-steppe location, with its dry, windy, and arid climate, and an annual average temperature of just 6.4°C, the region experiences harsh extremes. In the cold, dry winters, night-time temperatures can drop to -30°C to -40°C, while summers are hot and dry, with highs reaching 36.4°C and annual rainfall ranging between 200 and 400mm. The lively and resilient Albas White Cashmere Goat grows up in this extreme environment, which fosters the development of its unique cashmere. The demanding natural conditions give these goats strong limbs and agility, enabling them to withstand the harsh winds, snowstorms, and intense sunlight. They are remarkably adapted to the arid climate, with a calm and gentle temperament.
Civilizi sources its cashmere directly from the Albas goats of the Erdos Plateau in Inner Mongolia!
Is all cashmere the same?
Short answer: No. Long answer: Below.
The quality of cashmere is correlated to the different grades that
exist. There are three grades: A, B and C.
Grade A: la crème de la crème. It has 15-16 microns width per hair.
Grade B: the medium ground, around 16-17 microns width per hair.
Grade C: is the lowest quality, measuring around 17-21 microns width per cashmere hair.
So, contrary to what may be typically believed, the thinner the cashmere, the finer the construction. This ensures top quality for the final product.
Geography also plays a part in how cashmere is produced, causing the quality of the cashmere practices and products to change. The finest cashmere is produced in the region of Mongolia. This is due to the harsh winter conditions of the region, causing cashmere goats to grow finer, denser hair, that produce the top raw materials for cashmere touchable, wearable pieces. For this reason, their limited quantities make them an exclusive and expensive material.
And, the question of the century (well, of this section):
How can you tell which is which? Use your senses. In other words: touching is believing!
You’re in the presence of 100% Grade A cashmere if:
It stretches and goes back to its natural shape.
Once you run your hand, it does not shed small threads.
It feels like soft, melt-in-your-hands fabric.
Why is cashmere typically so expensive?
Cashmere grows in response to the climate and is classified as a rare and specialised animal fibre. It is often referred to as “soft gold” due to its limited production, accounting for only 0.2% of the world’s total animal fibre output. While a single sheep can produce several kilograms of wool each year, a goat typically yields only around 150 grams of cashmere annually.
From the collection of raw cashmere to the creation of a luxurious garment worn on your body, over 200 intricate processes are involved. Many of these stages cannot be performed by machines and require skilled manual labour, such as the initial sorting of raw cashmere, warping, jacquard weaving, and embroidery. High-quality cashmere is traded by the gram, earning it the title of the “gem of fibres.”
Make a cashmere comb your best friend. When pills inevitably come, just use a sweater comb to brush them away. Use a bit of pressure when combing, but don’t be rough!
How do I care for cashmere?
It takes a little work to take care of your Cashmere garments. But this will ensure its forever-wear and tip-top shape. Here’s some advice for the ultimate Cashmere Care or CC:
Lesson 1: No machines, please. This lovely fabric should only be washed by hand with cold water, as the fabric becomes fragile when wet. Using a mild soap or detergent is also recommended, and letting it air dry is vital to its shape and durability.
Lesson 2: Say no to fabric softener. A little known fact is that cashmere becomes softer as time goes by. Chemical softeners can damage the fabric and limit its durability, so be sure to keep it simple with the washing routine.
Lesson 3: Wash a little, wear a lot. Another day, the same outfit! Because of its breathable nature, cashmere can be aired out for use the next day.. and remain fresh for a little while longer.
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OK, BUT HOW DO YOU STOP CASHMERE FROM PILLING?
The fact is that all wool and cashmere is going to pill. But a few easy tricks can make a difference:
Use sweater spray instead of washing occasionally. Try to wear your pieces 5-6 times between washes. Lightly spray and leave your sweater out for a bit before putting it away.
All About Cashmere
What does gauge mean?
Gauge is the number of stitches or rows of yarn per inch and describes how tightly the item is knitted.
Cashmere garments tend to be made in 6 common gauges, from 1.5-gauge to 12-gauge. The smaller the gauge number—for example, 3-gauge cashmere—the heavier the yarn is applied, so the cashmere appears thicker and more dense. In 12-gauge cashmere, on the other hand, the yarn is applied more finely, so the cashmere has a more open look and is lighter in weight. Rule of thumb: If you are looking for lightweight cashmere, a higher gauge is best. If you want something warmer, go for a lower gauge.
ALL YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
You have a couple of options: a delicate cycle in the washer or washing by hand. We recommend a gentle hand wash with a mild soap or detergent and then an air dry. This is how to take care of cashmere to help keep its shape and make sure you’ll be loving it for years to come.
When it comes to how to wash cashmere, you should also avoid fabric softeners. Cashmere has this incredible knack for getting softer over time all on its own, so just do your part by not overwashing and you’ll be golden. You’ll also discover that caring for cashmere is easier than you think…it’s highly breathable and you can go a number of wears before it needs a true wash.
You already know cashmere is expensive. But why is cashmere so expensive?! There are a few reasons why you see inflated price tags from our competitors—one is that they’re usually operating with less efficient business models that require big markups to cover costs. But cashmere is also a pretty rare material, since it can only be collected from goats once a year and every cashmere sweater requires a pretty substantial amount of it since the yarn is so fine. Not only that, but there’s the luxury factor—this premium fiber is incredibly soft, super warm (three times more insulating than sheep’s wool, for instance), and in demand. It’s a recipe for a cozy-but–expensive sweater, But Civilizi has decided to change this traditional model. Our Products affordable, amazing quality, and available in timeless styles you’ll wear for a lifetime.
Our cashmere is Grade-A quality and made to last a lifetime with the right care. One longevity-boosting trick is to try to wear your cashmere pieces between five and six times between washes. A great sweater spray can help you pull this off—just spritz your sweater to freshen it up and let it dry before you put it away. You can buy a fabric spray at the store or DIY your own: we like a mix of 90% water and 10% vodka.
When it is time to wash, see the question above and follow those steps.
You’re not doing it wrong! Pilling is a natural byproduct of wearing (and loving!) your cashmere. We’ll recap some of the tips from questions above, because they’ll help you learn how to keep cashmere from pilling:
Minimize washes: Try to wear a few times and refresh with a sweater spray in between.
Use a cashmere comb: this is your go-to tool for how to care for cashmere sweater pilling. Just brush away any developing pills with a bit of gentle pressure.
One of the things that makes cashmere such an amazing wardrobe essential is that it’s beyond easy to style. How to wear a cashmere sweater, you ask? It’s more of a challenge to think of how not to wear it, to be honest. Here are a few of our fave ideas for how to style a cashmere sweater, but know that no matter what, you’re going to look flawless.
Add a bit of gold: Delicate earrings or a few layered necklaces play up that v-neckline or add extra polish to your cuffs.
Top with a blazer or jacket: Cashmere is warm but also keeps you comfy so you won’t overheat. The fine-gauge weight is a dream to layer.
Pair with luxe bottoms and skirts: Our favorite combination is a cashmere sweater and a silk skirt (we’re biased). But you can change the feel in a flash with a ponte pant for work and denim on your days off.