15 Best Cashmere Sweaters to Cozy Up in Fall 2023
glamour.com(and ) that can instantly elevate any outfit and last for years if treated properly. (Pro tip: Use a to minimize pilling.)As a shopper who indulges in the fabric and a fashion editor who has seen, felt, and tested countless cashmere from a wide range of brands through the years, I can attest that the best cashmere is available at all price points, from to luxury brands.
But, first: How do you know if it’s good cashmere?To define that, let’s start with the basics. According to the (CFDA), cashmere is a type of wool with fine fiber that comes from the undercoat of a specific breed of goats that originate in Asia; most of the world’s highest quality cashmere is sourced from Mongolia.
Because of the climate the animals live in, their coats are dense to withstand cold temperatures. The longest and thinnest fibers produce the softest and most durable cashmere, which is considered Grade A on the A to C scale that determines cashmere quality (some brands, like , lay it out in their FAQ pages).You’ll often see the terms “gauge” and “ply” listed as well.
The former applies to the amount of stitches used per inch of cashmere, and thus how tight and warm the weave is. The latter refers to the number of threads twisted together to form a piece of yarn; the higher the ply, the stronger the yarn.If this all sounds very time-consuming and complex, it is—cashmere production is limited and deeply reliant on environmental factors, the (NRDC), a nonprofit working with activists and lawyers to confront climate issues, that the current demand for virgin cashmere exceeds supply in a sustainable way.
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