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Forget looking for the perfect Holiday squeeze to keep you warm. A beautiful cashmere sweater does that and more: it quietly says you’re a man with good taste and a penchant for quality. But you must think of cashmere as an investment and not a fashion trend.
I blame the fashion industry for turning the fiber’s prestige into a commodity, with brands producing “cashmere” at all prices. Cashmere is a rare natural fiber, and because of this and its high demand, it is very expensive. We’re talking about $250 and upwards.
Before spending $100 for what you think is a great deal, remember that all cashmere is not created equal. Think about this: it takes approximately four years to produce enough cashmere for one sweater. You should not have to replace a cashmere sweater after a few seasons. A 100 percent pure, exceptional quality sweater will last many years with proper care.
Being an educated consumer about cashmere will keep you from getting duped by what companies and retailers are passing as quality. One clue: if a salesperson can not give you the complete skinny (ply count, gauge, origin of production, etc.) on the cashmere they sell, don’t buy it.
What You Want to Know
Ply count is important, but not for the reason you might think. It’s often used as a selling point as a means to make items seem high in quality. However, a higher ply-count (the number of individual threads twisted together to make a yarn) just means the garment is thicker. If you desire a cashmere T-shirt, opt for a lower ply count; when shopping for a chunky cardigan, you would want a high ply count.
Gauge (gg) is the weight. Most sweaters in the market are 12 gg with a fine stitch. If you want a heavier sweater, look for something less. Also know that the longer the length of the fiber (measured in mm), the better the garment.
