Cashmere

Cashmere is the softest and warmest fibre the store carries, sourced from Mongolia and sitting at the top of the price ladder. This hub holds the pure cashmere pieces, from scarves and gloves through to cardigans, pullovers and pants. Cashmere Cardigans and Merino and Cashmere Jumpers are the garment pages to open next. Blends and pure merino each have a hub of their own.

51 pieces in this rangeFrom $59 to $699 AUDFree AU shipping over $150

What drives the price of cashmere

Cashmere costs more than merino or a blend because the fibre is scarcer and warmer for its weight. What a shopper weighs up inside this hub is whether the added softness is worth the higher price and the extra care a cashmere garment asks for over a pure merino one.

Softness and its trade offs
Pure Cashmere Cable Collared Cardigan

Softness and its trade offs

Cashmere is the softest fibre the store sells, which is what makes it a premium choice. The fibres are finer than merino, so a light cashmere garment carries warmth without much weight. The trade off is durability. Fine cashmere catches and pills more readily than a firmer merino knit, and a cashmere garment needs more frequent de-pilling to keep its surface clean.

Cashmere Cardigans
Washing without damage
Pure Cashmere Cable Collared Cardigan

Washing without damage

A cashmere garment is governed by the care instructions on its own label, and those come before any general rule. Cashmere stretches while it is wet, so drying flat on a towel away from sun and direct heat is the step that prevents distortion. Harsh detergents and high heat are what do the damage.

How to wash cashmere without ruining it

Common questions

Is it worth buying a cashmere sweater?
A cashmere jumper is worth it if softness and light warmth are what a person wants most. It costs more than a merino jumper and it will pill sooner, so it asks more in care. For someone who finds ordinary wool scratchy, cashmere is often the fibre that works next to the skin.
Which is warmer, cashmere or merino?
Cashmere is warmer than merino at the same weight, because the fibre is finer and traps more still air. A light cashmere jumper does the work of a heavier merino one. Merino breathes better while a person is moving, so the choice often comes down to whether the day is a sitting day or an active one.
Which is less itchy, cashmere or merino?
Cashmere is the less itchy of the two for most people. The fibres are finer than merino and the softness is immediately noticeable against bare skin. House-brand merino at 18.5 micron is fine enough that most wearers find it comfortable, but a person with very sensitive skin will usually prefer cashmere.