Cashmere: What is it? How is it made? Where does it come from?
Discover the history, characteristics and reasons that make this fabric a premium and sophisticated choice.
Cashmere is one of the most prestigious and luxurious natural fibers in the fashion world. At Scarf Me, we specialize in offering the best material, bringing pieces that combine elegance and comfort for the modern woman.
But what exactly is cashmere and why is it so highly valued? Let’s take a closer look at this unique material and understand what makes it a perfect choice for your wardrobe.
Cashmere: what is it?
Cashmere is a natural fiber obtained from the soft undercoat of the Hircus goat, native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia, such as the Himalayas and Mongolia. This breed of goat inhabits high mountains, around 4,000 to 4,500 meters high.
The fiber is known for its smooth and lightweight texture, so it offers an unparalleled user experience.
Unlike other wools, cashmere fabric has superior performance. It is extremely soft to the touch and offers exceptional thermal comfort, making it ideal for cold climates.
Furthermore, cashmere provides thermal insulation without adding weight, ensuring a feeling of lightness and comfort.
What is the origin of cashmere?
Hircus goats develop an inner layer of fine, soft hair, known as a "duvet", to protect themselves from extreme temperatures. This covering protects the animals from intense heat and also from severe cold, which can exceed -30ºC.
Therefore, real cashmere is collected during the spring, when goats naturally shed this protective layer. Collecting the yarn is a complex and delicate process, carried out with care so as not to cause pain to the animals.
Historically, cashmere was once a material worn by royalty, prized for its rich and sophisticated appearance. The name "cashmere" derives from the region of "Kashmir", which is famous for its production of this precious fiber.
How is cashmere fabric made?
The cashmere production process is artisanal and requires skill and experience.
After collection, the fibers undergo rigorous screening to remove impurities and separate the finest hairs. The fibers are then spun into delicate yarns, which are woven to create items such as sweaters, blouses, pashminas and cashmere knitwear.
The fineness of the fibers, which can be up to 15% finer than merino wool, contributes to the exceptional lightness and thermal insulation of genuine cashmere garments. The result is superior quality garments that are warmer than wool pashminas .
How to preserve cashmere items?
Taking good care of cashmere is essential to preserve its quality and durability. To preserve cashmere garments, it is recommended to wash them by hand with cold water and a mild soap.
Avoid twisting the pieces. Instead, gently squeeze them to remove excess water. Let the pieces dry in the shade, spread out on a flat surface, to prevent warping.
Proper storage, by folding cashmere and storing it in a dry place, is also essential to maintain its softness and prevent pilling. Learn more about how to care for cashmere .
Why is cashmere so expensive?
Cashmere is considered one of the most expensive fabrics in the world, and this is due to several factors.
Firstly, each Hircus goat produces only a small amount of fiber per year, making cashmere a rare commodity. It is estimated that each animal produces 200 to 300 grams of yarn annually.
Furthermore, the production process is extremely careful and artisanal, from collection to weaving. The quality and durability of pure cashmere also justify its high value, as well-cared-for pieces can last for decades.
Which is warmer: Wool or Cashmere?
Compared to regular wool, cashmere offers superior thermal insulation capabilities. Therefore, cashmere is often preferred for cold climates.
The structure of cashmere fibers allows them to form an air barrier that traps body heat more effectively than wool. This means that although cashmere is extremely lightweight, it is warmer and provides comfort on cold days.
Therefore, in the cold months, instead of wearing a wool coat, choose to complete your look with an elegant cashmere poncho .
How do you know if cashmere is original?
Identifying real cashmere is not as simple as it seems, but there are some characteristics that help guarantee its authenticity.
Firstly, genuine cashmere is extremely soft to the touch and has a natural shine, which is not found in synthetic fibers, such as viscose pashmina .
Another tip is to check the fineness of the fibers, as high-quality cashmere is incredibly thin and light. Finally, buying from reputable brands like Scarf Me is a sure way to guarantee the authenticity of the product.
What is the difference between cashmere and pashmina?
Although they are used synonymously, cashmere and pashmina have subtle differences.
Unlike sheep's wool garments, pashmina and cashmere are produced in small quantities. Pashmina is a noble variety of cashmere, made from the hair on the neck and belly of the Hircus goat.
On the other hand, cashmere is made from the remaining fur, extracted from other parts of the animal's body.
Tips to increase the durability of cashmere fabric
To maximize the lifespan of your cashmere garments, avoid wearing them continuously. That said, alternate them with other garments to reduce wear and tear.
Avoid contact with harsh chemicals or perfumes directly on cashmere fabric, as they can damage the fibers.
Another important tip is to use an appropriate pill remover to keep the pieces looking smooth and elegant.
Scarf Me Cashmere Collection
Scarf Me offers pure cashmere in neutral tones, such as white and gray, and also in bold colors, expanding the style possibilities for our customers.
We work with 3 main types of real cashmere sold:
Cashmere Unique
Cashmere Unique is not only made from the rarest and purest cashmere, but it is also 15% finer than the cashmere found in the animal's undercoat. The fiber has a soft, velvety feel to the touch.
Rare and exclusive, when embroidered, a Unique Cashmere piece can take up to 1 year to be finished, as the process is done manually by a local artisan, from separating the fur, joining the weft to finishing the embroidery.
Furthermore, its rarity comes from the limited quantity of production of this hair, since it is necessary to gather material from approximately 7 animals.
Thanks to the natural structure of the fiber, the Cashmere Unique Scarf Me has incredible thermal insulation properties. The air trapped in the small spaces between the fibers forms a natural barrier that helps to contain body heat and prevent the cold from reaching the skin. The finer the fiber, the greater the insulation and the softer the touch.
Baby Cashmere
With its precious fiber and incomparable softness, obtained exclusively from the young of the Hircus Goat, Baby Cashmere sets a new standard of quality.
Baby Cashmere stands out from the rest due to the limited amount of fur extracted, as well as its delicacy and softness.
Only once in a kid's life, when he is 6 years old, can he shed his fur. During this period, a kid produces no more than 80 grams of extraordinarily soft and precious cashmere, a very small quantity compared to the 250 grams that can be collected from adults.
Breeders collect cashmere yarn delicately through a process of combing the animals, which separates only the excess fur from puppies that have been shed naturally.
This process takes place between May and June, a time of milder temperatures, when puppies no longer need to protect themselves from the cold and the natural process of shedding their fur occurs.
The Baby Cashmere Scarf Me has a light damask, a type of jacquard, forming smooth and firm patterns, which give an even more sophisticated and unique shine to the pieces.
Diamond Cashmere
Diamond Cashmere is one of our favorites. Its composition is made of 50% cashmere and 50% modal.
Modal is a natural and self-sustainable fiber, produced from the extraction of wood pulp.
Its main characteristics are its strong colors as it is a fast-absorbing fiber, and its smooth surface is responsible for its silky shine, especially when mixed with other fibers, such as cashmere.
This combination is responsible for the soft and smooth touch of our Diamond Cashmere, which gets its name from the patterns formed by the weave of the two fibers.
Because it is a silkier piece and due to the high water absorption of both cashmere and modal fibers, Diamond Cashmere is suitable for any occasion, as it is cool on hotter days, but also has its thermal benefits in winter.
At Scarf Me, we are committed to providing the best in women's cashmere, with a high-quality collection. Our original cashmere is carefully selected and crafted by expert artisans, ensuring that each piece is a masterpiece of luxury and sophistication.
