Why I think it’s worth investing in good quality cashmere

In the world of knitwear, cashmere is king. And when it comes to my closet, that sentiment prevails. As much as I love my wool and cotton knit sweaters, I have a soft spot for anything knitted from a cashmere yarn.

Wearing Uniqlo tee, Dr Denim jeans, To Sir With Love cardigan (old but this is a similar alternative and I love this one), Isabel Marant belt (affordable), 3.1 by Phillip Lim pashli bag, Dior heels, Mejuri necklace, Pandora earrings

I talked recently about where I like to spend and where I like to save when shopping for my wardrobe, and knitwear tops the list. During the colder months it’s an everyday essential and a building block of my style uniform, it’s practical, and looks chic when paired with the right wardrobe staples. If you’ve ever heard me chat about Everlane, one of the first things I always say is that it’s worth picking up one of their cashmere sweaters. Well today, I wanted to chat through the reasons why I think it’s worth investing in good quality cashmere that you’ll find yourself reaching for years from now.

If I told you that this oversized cashmere cardigan I’m wearing was over 8 years old, would you believe me? Impressively, this is one of the oldest pieces in my wardrobe (in terms of age), and it’s held up impeccably over the years. The yarn hasn’t bobbled (although cashmere is prone to, so don’t be disparaged if it does!), there’s not a single hole, and the colour hasn’t faded. This was an investment piece in all respects when it comes to that phrase, and something I know I’ll continue to wear for years and years to come.

No two cashmere sweaters are built equal, and yarn texture will differ between brands, but across the board, it’s an incredibly soft fibre that feels comfortable against your skin. I’ve personally found that extending the budget a little will net you a higher quality grade material, though the second hand market is a great place to look if you want to get designer quality at a more reasonable price point. For anyone with skin sensitivities that finds wool too itchy, cashmere is a great alternative, albeit a bit more of an investment.

Cashmere comes from the undercoat of goats – hairs which have incredible protection against the cold, making the fibre eight times warmer than sheep’s wool. A thick cashmere knit will feel light and fluffy to the touch, but keep you feeling super toasty and cosy when it’s worn. There’s a reason why cashmere has traditionally been worn as an additional layer for those living in cold climates; the fibres are seven times thinner than our hairs, which means that a sweater produced from 100% cashmere may look thin, but is actually an excellent thermal layer.

A classic cashmere sweater is timeless

I first added a crew neck cashmere sweater to my wardrobe four years ago, and despite how quickly trends have come and gone, it’s been a constant style staple for me, and a silhouette I see myself wearing 10, or even 20 years from now. Classic cuts don’t tend to date, so springing a little bit extra for quality will be a worthwhile purchase in the long run, especially after you’ve been hanging on to the same piece in excess of a decade!

For those thinking about investing in a cashmere sweater (for now or for later, depending on where you live!), I’ve picked out some of my favourites below.