7 secrets on the purchase of cashmere, according to the stylists
Soft to the touch does not always mean that a garment is of high quality.
For most of us, the word cashmere is synonymous with sweet and comfortable. By definition, it is the fine wool of the underlaying of cashmere goats (or in cashmere). But why, then, a cashmere sweater $ 50 and other $ 500? The answer is that all the cashmere is not created equal, but the ways to identify the underwater material are not so simple For average buyers . This is why we turned to stylists to get their best secrets on the purchase of cashmere. Read the rest to find out why a clothing label is only going so far and what is, surprisingly, not a dealbreaker.
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1 A clothing label does not tell you.
We have all been there. You enter a store and see a table full of "cashmere" sweaters at an advantageous price. But before running towards the register, examine the tag up closely.
"In clothing and accessories, cashmere is often mixed with other fibers," explains Holly , a Personal style coach and consultant . "Look at the label inside a clothing or the materials section of an online list - this should tell you what fibers are included and have percentages for each type of fiber." A 100% cashmere article will just say that and will not include any other percentage of fibers.
But even if something is entirely in cashmere, the material is available in three grades, a rating system that specifies softness. "Grade A is the highest and lightest weight, although always eight times warmer than wool. The grade B is thicker and less fine while the grade it is the thicker, the rude and often not considered pure ", sharing Elizabeth Kosich , personal stylist at Elizabeth Kosich style . The rankings are generally only used by the profession, but some brands will note it, generally if it is an A.
In addition, the location of goats can also make a quality difference. According to Hao Rong , founder of the clothing and accessories brand Cashmere of state , "The interior of Mongolia is one of the best origins."
2 But the label also has a secret clue.
Do you try to determine if something is actually 100% cashmere? Don't just look at what the label says, but how it is affixed to the garment.
"If labels and labels are glued to the product, cashmere is not real," explains Rong. "True cashmere pieces will have sewn labels because the glue cannot stay long in real cashmere."
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3 There are some simple "tests" to discern the quality of cashmere.
According to the Mongolian cashmere brand Naadam, "the cashmere fibers are Six times finer only locks of human hair. "They are also" some of the only fibers in the world that are hollow. "So not only is the material incredibly soft, but it is also ultra-light.
However, their hollow nature makes them easy to mix with other fibers, many of which can feel as soft as pure cashmere but do not hold as well.
To determine if what you feel is a Class A cashmere, Sissy Aerenson , owner of the clothing store based in Delaware Peter Kate , recommends keeping the garment to the light "to see if knitting is consistent rather than unequal". AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
And speaking of tight knitting, Rong points the stretch test. "Gently stretch the part of the garment - see how long it takes for cashmere rebounds to its original shape. The low level cashmere will remain in its stretching form / will become distorted. The pure cashmere will rebound immediately. ""
4 Watching the seams is a good way to find an affordable high -end cashmere.
As Kosich notes, the production of a seamless sweater is the most costly cost. "If you are concerned about the budget but you do not want to sacrifice the quality, look for side seams." These will not be as visible and will not necessarily affect the overall quality.
But pay attention to the gauge (how much something is sewn) of the seams. "The smaller the gauge, the finest quality and the higher note the cashmere. So, if the point details are difficult to discern, it's a good thing," adds Kosich.
5 Pilling does not mean that cashmere is bad.
The lower the note of the cashmere, the more it will be the most subject. "When you buy in stores, you can spot high quality cashmere with its comfortable and light sensation and a minimum height of" plush "visible fibers due to the woven texture of longer hair," explains Aerenson.
But even the best cashmere can be prone to a pire after a lot of wear. In these cases, Kosich advises you to always use electric movers or razor blades. "Both can ruin the sweaters in an instant." Instead, it recommends a portable pill tool or a fine tooth comb.
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6 This is why the best cashmere is so expensive.
On their website, State Cashmere explains that it takes four to five cashmere goats to make a sweater. "The process of combing and collecting the under layer under is quite a high intensity of labor As the undercoat must be separated from the external layer by hand, "they note, adding that cashmere is collected only once a year.
In addition, there are only so many cashmere producing goats in the world. “Cashmere is rare compared to wool; more than two million tonnes of sheep wool are produced each year, while Just under seven tonnes de Cashmere is produced during the same period, "Sharing the land of the clothing brand.
7 Use your freezer to keep the cashmere fresh.
No matter how much you spent in cashmere, you will want it to last as long as possible, and for it to happen, the work does not stop in the store.
First, be sure to store it correctly. Kosich recommends a dry place and has a good flow of air. "Avoid plastic bags because they can trap moisture. Also avoid cardboard boxes-they decompose cashmere fibers over time and ultimately destroy them," she adds.
And, of course, only dry cashmere depending on the specific care instructions of an article. In general, Lands End advises dry cleaning twice a year - in the middle and the end of the season.
After each individual wear, Lands End suggests placing your garment in a plastic bag and putting it in the freezer to kill odors and bacteria. "When you remove your freezer clothes, put it on a hanger, give it a spray spritz in cashmere-a refreshment of clothes that contains a small cedar oil and hang it in the bathroom during your shower for Steam, "they say.
