Is cashmere a necessity? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is cashmere a necessity?

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Looking at the great J.Crew article in this week's Link Love, I noticed some cashmere sweaters touted as basically solid, a bargain, and a solid bargain.

And I remembered how often I had seen this item, a cashmere sweater, included as a wardrobe staple on list after list of major bloggers and magazines, and video after video by anyone promoting a capsule wardrobe.

I always wondered if I'd get one, but here I am in my 40s, thinking, do I really need one in the end?

There are so many great cotton, acrylic, and any other material sweaters that you can throw in the machine these days. They look great, lots of them. And the cashmere ones are always hand wash.

Additionally, many of us live in places where a "luxe" look is not a necessity, and a great cable knit in a fun color will get us by.

People say how much they love their cashmere, how great it feels, but I'm just starting to wonder if it's becoming obsolete as a "staple."

Thoughts?

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Dressing

42 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Peri

Veteran

I don't like it and have vowed not to buy any more. I find even the best...of course, the affordable best, not the celebrity best...to be slightly itchy. And then also, my climate is milder, so often they are too hot. Others will have different answers.

Helena

Veteran

No cashmere here! It itches. I stick with cotton and cotton-rich blends, or viscose when I can find it. Cashmere looks gorgeous though, but a necessity? I don't think so

Bonnie

Veteran

I agree that cashmere has its drawbacks and there are plenty of other options. I find them a bit itchy, too. But, I have three cashmere sweaters that I ordered from Everlane on sale and I love them. I wash them in a bag in the machine and hang them to dry and they look good as new after many wears. The newest one, the navy has been worn 12 times with no pilling. I haven't tried other brands so I can't speak for them.

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SarahD8

Veteran

I have...an unconscionably large collection of cashmere knitwear. (It is all secondhand which makes it more affordable to me.) I find it much less itchy than other animal fibers and in my climate I can wear it year-round, albeit lighter fabrications in the summer. I wash it in the machine (on delicate, with eucalan wash). It's absolutely a staple for me, but I've had a thing for goats since early childhood. On the other hand I can't wear acrylic (makes me itch and sweat) and even heavyweight cotton knits are not warm enough for me in colder seasons. But if cashmere doesn't tickle your toes, no need to seek it out -- leaves more for the likes of me!

Kate

Veteran

Cashmere is certainly not a necessity, but it is beautiful. I prefer wool myself, especially lighter weight merino wool, which is more appropriate for my climate. Both wool and cashmere are easy to launder.

I haven’t bought cashmere in ages, but I still have vintage cashmere (from the 1940s and early 50s) that I bought in the mid 1980s, when I wore a lot of vintage clothes.

MsMaven

Veteran

I bought my first cashmere sweaters at Harrod's in London at the spring sales in 1991--our first trip. Turtleneck, 1 black, 1 camel. I think I would still have them today if I didn't have a cat who thought she was really a neck fur piece. They didn't itch. Since then I've bought cashmere sweaters and a coat. I had the coat for 20+ years but it was out of date--80's shoulders--so I donated it one cold, cold winter.

I'm in my 9th winter with 2 sweaters and a long scarf bought at Eric Bompard in Paris. They don't itch--scarf is great around the neck. Sweaters aren't going to work for me this year--I probably won't wear them much.

At some point I could no longer tolerate most cashmere and wools against my skin. I still buy sweaters and just wear Heat tech or long silk underwear tops beneath them. As far as inexpensive cashmere, Macy's is much better for the price than is Nordstrom, IMHO.

I haven't worn the Vince sweater much--it does itch. It's soft and lovely though. I wear an undershirt and because of the high neck, I wear a scarf inside the neckline. I did get a silk turtleneck to wear under it.

As I've gotten older I feel the cold more. I am at the point that in the future I will only buy cashmere cardigans. Maybe just one black v-neck, although I'm not doing well at resisting sales these days. And if you get a chance to go to Paris or London or other great European destinations, take a look at what the stores have.

You don't have to wear sweaters. A cashmere coat or jacket is warm and wonderful and isn't against your skin. Expensive at full price though. Hm--I should take a look at cashmere blazers at the after-holiday sales.

And as SarahB8 says--it's not a necessity, especially if you aren't a person who feels the cold.

(I think a long-sleeved collared neck top might work under my Vince.)

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Roberta

Veteran

Very pretty stuff, but I'm not buying any more new cashmere. I have three or four now, mostly Talbots. Good sweaters are so durable that I can find them on eBay if there is a particular color I "need".

To your question, I always thought they were a luxury item, but in the last decade they seem to have become a necessity. I didn't think there were that many goats in the world!

Dee

Veteran

Yes I agree there is a lot of push for cashmere sweaters online especially as part of a fall/winter classic capsule wardrobe but its definitely not a necessity. Many have issues with it being itchy and pilling. There are plenty of other alternatives that would work just as well.

LaPed

Veteran

Like SarahD8, my cashmere pieces (two tailored crewneck sweaters) came to me secondhand. More expensive than secondhand sheepswool sweaters, which I also have a bunch of, but cheaper than retail prices for wool. I don’t consider cashmere a necessity per se, but those two crewneck sure are a staple of my winter wardrobe! I love how warm cashmere is for its weight and low bulk. It makes a great mid layer for cold weather activities; I don’t hesitate to wear mine hiking, snowshoeing, xc skiing… My favorite layering system is silk long johns, cashmere crewneck, and down puffy. Synthetics are fine, but these animal fibers are reliably comfortable across a wider range of temperatures. Worth it for me!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I do have cashmere.l am wool intolerant and find cashmere warm and light to wear in our cold winters however l only wear it because l can’t wear wool .If l could tolerate wool l would prefer that on cost grounds alone.But l am very lucky to have found most of my cashmere second hand or at a deep discount.l certainly wouldn’t say it’s a necessity,it’s a preference.

cat2

Veteran

I don’t think cashmere sweaters are a necessity. I do really like cashmere and wool blend overcoats, they are softer and not as stiff as a warm but heavy 100 percent wool fabric. Mine are from random mall brands on sale.

Irina

Veteran

Well, for me cashmere is definitely a necessity. I live in a cold climate with long winters and cold springs. I wear my light cashmere into summer months.

I find most of wools itchy, cotton is too stretchy and too bulky if thick. I absolutely avoid any synthetic fibers and almost all mixes. If one is lucky to find good quality wool knit that doesn’t cause itching, it could cost as much as cashmere.

I do not understand why anyone would buy an acrylic sweater, seriously. It looses its shape fast, not warm and most of all, bad for the environment.

It doesn’t have to be cashmere. There are many beautiful natural fiber knits that are often on sale and plenty is available second hand. And they can be washed in a machine in cold water on a hand wash or gentle style. I don’t hand wash my old cashmere sweaters that I wear at home.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I am 62 years old and have never had one so for me definitely not a necessity! However I come from a sheep farming country where wool has always been what you buy for warmth. I have lots of merino and other wool knitwear so that is the necessity for me. Of course cashmere can be bought here but I have never looked for it. I imagine it’s more expensive than wool.

Anonymous

Allergic- so nope! They look nice, but not worth the itch, so I stick to cotton. I don't layer under my pullover sweaters, so they have to be comfortable. Normally I just wear long sleeve t's or thin turtlenecks in winter though.

phoebe

Echoing Irina, except that by April it is starting to be too warm to wear in my climate

Sal

Veteran

I don’t own any - wool is much more prevalent especially now merino. You can buy cashmere but it’s very very pricey.

I mostly choose wool for warmth- occasionally some sort of fleece for casual wear.

Sloper

Veteran

I’m personally not into somewhat snug fitting, solid color sweaters for my own self, so, I don’t think J Crew cashmere sweaters are a necessity. The style is fine, just doesn’t work for me.

Style of sweater aside, I don’t look for any material specifically, other than avoiding cotton. Not a fan of droopy stretchy cotton sweaters.

I actually have a Yak sweater that is a bit itchy but I fell for the style. And no pills! One cashmere cardigan that is super nice (Brooks Bros) - a miracle of softness. One cashmere cardigan that pilled so horribly the first time I wore it, I donated it (J Crew 2010 actually).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Necessity? No one item is a necessity for each person. Well, except some kind of underwear, I guess.

As you've already heard -- much will depend on climate and skin sensitivity/ allergies.

I used to live in a cold 4 season climate like Irina's. I wore cashmere (both second hand and yes, J. Crew, bought new, and Boden) from October through April. In different weights, layered or not. I never had a problem with itching.

In my current more temperate climate, I still wear cashmere but it can itch if I don't layer underneath and/or of the weather is damp or not cold enough. The minute the weather gets dryer and colder -- no itch.

Several of these items in Finds are a decade or more old. I always wash them in the machine on delicate. They do great that way. Cheaper cashmere can pill badly but the only sweater here that does pill a lot is the grey duster. And partly it pills because of straps on bags and seatbelts -- friction.

I tend to wear merino more in my current climate. In different weights, it can be worn all year here. I cant wear acrylic -- I perspire in it and it itches me. I do like cotton sweaters if they are high quality but they tend to be heavier and bulkier, as Irina mentioned. For me, they are more for spring/ summer. Not warm enough for winter.

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Star

Veteran

I got my first cashmere blend turtleneck a year or two ago. It was on deep discount. I love it. It is very soft on my skin and works in a variety of temperatures. I use a laundry bag in the washing machine and it is fine. However I don't believe there are items that are essential for everyone. It depends on one's own preferences and climate if it is essential.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The idea of such a specific fabrication as a necessity is a bit odd to me. Someone in Florida likely does not need cashmere.

I have a few cashmere items — my most worn are my hats (a sort of floppy beanie-beret hybrid) and scarves (lightweight cashmere blends are good for a bit of warmth without being too heavy). But I have a couple of hoodies and a couple of sweaters too.

Quality is not a given with cashmere these days —I just returned a sweater to Nordstrom that was the most beautiful shade of cobalt blue, but felt just vaguely itchy enough with 5-10 minute wear that I knew it would bother me if worn all day. And I’ve seen some cashmere that pills awfully after a single wear.

So I buy knitwear in a variety of fabrications and don’t rule out a material if it feels good and seems to have some quality to it. Sometimes a cool pattern or trendy style will attract me, and I have a lower threshold for what I will spend on a more distinctive or trendy and less durable sweater, compared to a solid color classic crew neck or V-neck. I like merino as an alternative to cashmere.

Joy

Veteran

For me a cashmere sweater is a necessity…, for travel. It is light weight to pack and I have always worn one, even in summer in Europe. It layers well with other pieces and under a coat. I usually take black. I clean my own with Dryell in the dryer once a year. Like wool, it does not retain odors.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I run cold, have cold wet grey Winters, and cold Springs. I'm also outside a lot! Not much driving. On foot mostly, braving the elements. Cashmere is a must-for-me! I have a fair bit of cashmere. It keeps me very warm, so I'm nodding along with Irina.

Carol, cashmere is absolutely NOT a necessity! Nodding along with Suz.

I have clients who are allergic to any type of wool or cashmere. They welcome the manmade fibres, and blends for that reason. Cotton knitwear too, of course. They wear thermals underneath to stay warm.

Ket

Veteran

I like cashmere but it has drawbacks as others have mentioned. I don’t see it as a necessity unless living in a lot of cold, damp weather where you need it. And even then, I actually think alpaca is a great alternative. (So is yak though that can be pricey too.) But that’s me speaking as a hand knitter. alpaca doesn’t seem to be mainstream retail.

Cee

Veteran

I've worn cashmere for ages and have never had an issue with itching. Just depends on the individual, I guess.

BrieN

Veteran

I can't wear cashmere but I linger longingly at the photos of those beautiful sweaters - the fabrications tend to be more sophisticated and the colors have more depth than the manmade fibers I have to wear.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Not a necessity, but I will never say no to a second hand cashmere sweater in good condition that has survived to the thrift store. I do find some, but not all, cashmere itchy - there are vast quality differences for sure.

Olive Green

Veteran

I recall reading about the Mongolian herders only wearing the cashmere next to their skin, and they much preferred cashmere clothing to all other wools. It kept them properly warm and did not chafe, unlike, say, merino.
Kind of charmed by the luxe practicality of the shepherds. I prefer the washable merino sport wools for winter wear.
I do think a hefty wool sweater is a staple in most style tribes.

Style Fan

Veteran

No item is a necessity for everyone. We all live in different climates and have different styles. Our way of life is so varied that no one piece of clothing works for everyone.
I live in a four-season climate like Irina's and run cold. I love cashmere and some types of wool for winter. Cotton sweaters are not warm enough for me. Mohair and alpaca are too itchy.
I have cashmere sweaters that are almost 20 years old and still going strong. Everlane cashmere has worked well for me.

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Ginger

Veteran

I echo Suz on this point in particular:

"In my current more temperate climate, I still wear cashmere but it can itch if I don't layer underneath and/or of the weather is damp or not cold enough. The minute the weather gets dryer and colder -- no itch."

I have found this with wool and merino as well. When I'm really cold, there's no itch. But if I start getting too warm, itch. (Plus, Eucalan. It's specifically formulated to help soften wool and other animal fibers.)

On the topic of animal fibers, there can be a real difference in function. Cotton is a cold fiber. When it gets wet, it doesn't dry super fast and feels cold. Acrylic and polyester as well. But wool does not feel cold to the touch when it gets wet. Furthermore, the fibers swell and become more dense, making the garment actually warmer if anything.
I found the truth of this myself some winters ago. At work I wore tall leather boots, with tights and socks both for warmth and fit. Even with an under-desk heater though my toes would be cold. One day I got home and felt my sock, and it was wet with sweat and cold. I switched to Smartwool socks and there was no more problem.

As far as cashmere in particular goes, YMMV. It can be very soft. I got a Neiman Marcus long-sleeve cashmere tee at an estate sale that is thin and so, so soft. I had a cashmere sweater from Kohl's that I gave away eventually since it was a little small and not a good color for me. Cashmere is not a necessity for me, but it's nice to have.

Most sweaters, cotton and acrylic and poly blends though they may be, work fine for what I need. I had an acrylic chenille sweater once that I was either hot or cold in, so I gave it away; but that's my worst experience with acrylic. If it's going to be extra cold and I want real warmth, then I'll reach for a wool cardigan or merino sweater. Wool is a lovely fiber TBH. But I would never call any of these a necessity.

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