Are cashmere scarves worth it?
As we’ve hopefully made clear, not all cashmere products are made equal. So why is a superior cashmere scarf worth the extra cost? Well a top quality cashmere scarf is made only using the finest, lightest and longest strands of cashmere. These are then treated with great care during the processes involved in turning them into the finest cashmere yarn. This is then woven into supremely soft garments that are made to last. Our cashmere scarves have not been treated with harsh chemicals, and have been handled only with the utmost care throughout. This results in a versatile, reliable, long-lasting garment that makes a great addition to any wardrobe. A high quality cashmere scarf is also a great gift idea.
How can you tell if a cashmere scarf is real?
So how can you tell real cashmere? Genuine cashmere is far softer than other fabrics. It’s not quite as straightforward as this, however. Inferior cashmere can feel just as soft to the touch as better quality cashmere, because it may have been treated with softener. This will give the illusion of quality. Once this softener wears off, however, the cashmere’s surface will feel more coarse. This is due to the looser weave used when making cheaper cashmere scarves. These products may also contain thicker, shorter or darker strands of material, whose presence will be seen and felt over time. By contrast, a cashmere scarf of the highest quality will improve in texture over time.
Are cashmere scarves expensive?
The price of a cashmere scarf will vary enormously. As with many things - if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is. It’s difficult for the authorities to control all product descriptions to ensure that all goods sold are really what they claim to be. An inferior cashmere scarf might well contain cashmere - but in what proportion, and of what quality? The best cashmere scarves have a higher price tag for a reason. They are made for longevity as well as warmth and style, and will actually become softer as the fabric ages.
What's the difference between Pashmina and Cashmere?
The species of goat is what determines whether a fabric is cashmere or pashmina. Pashmina is only made from a specific mountain goat breed known as Capra Hircus. In a way, pashmina is thus simply one type of cashmere. Pashmina fibres are thinner than strands of cashmere, and it is therefore not as robust. Hand spinning is the only way to make pashmina fabric, which makes the products very costly to produce. As cashmere is easier to weave and the strands are thicker, it is both warmer and more affordable than pashmina.
What is the difference between a shawl and a wrap?
While the terms can be used interchangeably to some degree, there is a subtle difference between a shawl and a wrap. A shawl is a more casual accessory - the sort of garment that is sometimes associated with story book peasants, for example. Wraps are more refined, and usually made with finer, softer fabrics. Such as cashmere. A typical shawl might not be regarded by some as sufficiently smart to wear for a formal occasion, such as a wedding, whereas a cashmere wrap would fit the bill perfectly. This makes a cashmere wrap more versatile, as well as being more elegant and comfortable to wear.
How do you wear a cashmere wrap?
There are two aspects to this question, the first being what sort of occasion can you wear a cashmere wrap for? Well the answer is - just about anything, as long as it’s not likely to damage the delicate fabric. You might not want to wear it when going blackberry picking, for instance, as the thorns could catch and tear it. For just about anything else, however, it’s ideal. Whether your day involves work or leisure, travelling, a formal occasion or family time at home, a cashmere wrap is the perfect accessory for adding glamour as well as warmth. You can drape it over you shoulders from behind, with the ends flowing down the front. Or you could wear most of it at the front, with one end to the back and the other to one side at the front.