Your questions on cashmere jumpers answered
Which is the best cashmere jumper?
If you’re after affordable and timeless cashmere pieces, you can’t go wrong with M&S. Its classic crew neck style is soft, warming, and a layering staple come winter – plus, it’s available in a bunch of colours for every taste. If you prefer cardigans, Jigsaw and Nobody’s Child styles will prop up your wardrobe for the season ahead, while Me & Em’s fuchsia vest is a stellar styling piece.
How to wash cashmere
If washing your cashmere is causing you concern, I asked Frej Lewenhaupt, co-founder of clothing care brand Steamery, to share some words of wisdom. He recommends hand washing your cashmere for “a more gentle process”. While you can wash some cashmere in the washing machine, “make sure to choose a gentle cycle suitable for wool garments and to use an enzyme-free laundry detergent that nourishes the cashmere wool”, says Lewenhaupt.
“If you get a stain on your cashmere garment, make sure to treat the stain directly and to use a gentle stain remover,” he added. You can “treat just the stain with stain remover and lukewarm water, and avoid washing the whole garment”.
How to dry cashmere
“When it comes to drying your cashmere garment, the most gentle way is to let it air-dry on a flat surface, to prevent it from losing shape,” advised Lewenhaupt. He notes you can also “put the garment on a towel and roll the garment into the towel, to press out the water very gently”.
How much do cashmere jumpers cost?
Cashmere jumpers tend to be more expensive than your standard chunky knit because of the type of wool used. The price can range from £80 upwards, depending on the brand. If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly option, fabric-blend garments such as the M&S merino wool with cashmere knitted top (£49.50, Marksandspencer.com) are typically more affordable.
How to care for a cashmere jumper
Rather interestingly, Lewenhaupt notes that cashmere jumpers “require less care than you might think, since they are naturally antibacterial”. It’s important to keep in mind that such garments shouldn’t be washed too often. “After using your garment, we recommend airing out your knitwear and spraying it with a fabric spray, if needed. Steaming your knitwear will keep your garment fresh in between washes,” he adds.
If you notice lint and pilling on your items, we’d recommend using a debobbler – such as Steamery’s fabric shavers (from £45, Steamery.co.uk) – which works wonders on knits. It extends the lifecycle of clothes and removes any unwanted lint, pilling, threads and fuzz.
Another important tip from Lewenhaupt is to store your cashmere jumpers folded, because putting them on hangers will make them lose their shape.
How long do cashmere jumpers last?
“When investing in a cashmere sweater, you get a very luxurious wool material with a silky feeling that is great for keeping you warm,” says Lewenhaupt. While it’s difficult to say how long it will last, he adds that “if you take proper care of your cashmere sweaters – washing less, steaming in between washes, and removing pilling with a debobbler – your cashmere garments will look great and last much longer”.
Cashmere vs merino wool: which is better?
Cashmere comes from goats and has a higher loft, which makes it softer than merino wool, which is derived from sheep. Another reason to opt for cashmere is that it can be warmer than merino. The downside, however, is that cashmere is not quite as durable or as easy to care for. As for which is best, it’s down to personal preference, as both fabrics give slightly different looks. Where cashmere lends itself to sleeker, more elegant designs, merino wool is ideal for chunky knits.
Meet the expert
Frej Lewenhaupt: Frej is CEO and co-founder of Steamery, a company which creates steamers and laundry products to prolong the life cycles of fabrics and clothing.
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