Today I am wearing cashmere for the first time

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

I've never owned anything cashmere. I could afford it, but I would feel guilty for spending so much on a jumper so never have. But having read lots of threads on here about how warm it is etc. I decided to try first by buying second hand. I bought a gorgeous 100% cashmere jumper (M&S Autograph) off eBay and today am wearing it for the first time.

I'M A CONVERT

It is so soft. Yet not bulky. And oh my god, so cosy. It's a total revelation!!

I am a bit worried about the care of it (I don't have a great track record when it comes to washing things!) but if I can keep this ok for a while I don't think I'd feel so bad about treating myself to a brand new cashmere piece in the future (or possibly add it to my Christmas/Birthday lists)

[LunaTheCat]

Once you have worn cashmere nothing else will do - very very sadAly
Sales and e bay are your friend.

[AsCoolAsKimDeal]

There's no going back! Uniqlo cashmere is very good value.

[minipie]

Ah I love cashmere and pretty much live in it Oct-March.

A few tips:

You can machine wash but always on cold (max 20) and stretch it out a bit while wet.

An electric debobbler is very handy.

With second hand cashmere watch carefully for any sign of clothes moth (little white fluffy tubes = moth cocoons) I’ve been caught out before. Maybe keep it in a ziplock bag for a few months (in between wears) until you’re sure there is no moth.

There’s lots of old fashioned cashmere shops (many online only), they often have decent quality and good sales if you don’t mind sifting through the frumpier styles to find the more classic items 😁

BrandAlley often has cashmere sales

If you are prone to those little tummy level holes in your t shirts, watch out as it can happen to cashmere jumpers too. Holé button covers have stopped my hole problem.

[Spaghettio]

@minipie sorry to crash the thread - but what is a hole button cover? I get those little holes on bloody everything so would love to find a solution!

[Sooverthemill]

[quote Spaghettio]@minipie sorry to crash the thread - but what is a hole button cover? I get those little holes on bloody everything so would love to find a solution![/quote]
here

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

Thanks for the tips on how to look after it and where to buy. I will check out Uniqlo and continue to have a browse on eBay as the one I'm wearing is really lovely and was such a bargain! I keep stroking myself

[cathyandclare]

Thanks for the Hole tip- those are going in everyone's stockings this Xmas

[CowCat]

agree 100% re cashmere. I find regular wool scratchy. And thank you for the Hole recommendation.

[EBearhug]

I have a cardigan in a cashmere silk mix and that's even softer and lovelier than just cashmere.

[SpaceOP]

My favourite cashmere jumper, after 3 years, has shrunk. The problem is that I can't even blame DH or whatever because it was clearly washed at the end of last winter, and put in the cupboard without me noticing. I mean, I'm pretty sure it was him - I always wash my cashmere jumpers on a delicates cycle - but who knows when it even happened!!

I buy from Marks and John Lewis usually. Price is not too bad and they can definitely be machine washed as long as you are careful. I always have an M&S cardigan which, I will admit, isn't particularly stylish, but it is gloriously soft and warm and is perfect for wearing in offices etc where temperatures can fluctuate (perhaps less relevant in 2020).

[SlopesOff]

I wash it by hand (because the machine is crap), squeeze water out, do not wring it. Then lay it flat on a towel and roll it up to get excess water out and dry it flat.

I have been caught out in the past with some of the cheaper cashmere as the edging around the neck can be scratchy, either because it is not cashmere or has been stitched on with something cheap and nasty so the whole point of buying cahsmere is invalidated by this, I can't wear wool.

Most of mine is TSE or Harrods and I have had it for a very long time. I store it in sealed bags to keep moths/carpet beetles out because they can find their way into the house at any time. I take a lot of care of it.

[OhRosalind]

Oh it’s heavenly isn’t it, enjoy it OP. I freeze my second-hand knitwear for a couple of weeks when it arrives in the hope of killing off any potential moth eggs.
Brora is apparently the best, Uniqlo and m&s are good value. My best cashmere sweater is from H&M, bizarrely.

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

If I buy any more I will freeze it, to be honest this arrived in perfect condition there's not one bobble on it never mind moth ball or egg etc. I struck lucky I'm sure!

There are some nice cashmere jumpers on Boden's site, but of course I will wait for a 20% off code

Is it wise to go one size up to allow for shrinkage? Does it always shrink a little even if washed properly?

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

I own a lot of cashmere, rarely wear any other kind of wool. It's mostly second hand or bought in sales.

Tried a few different kinds, my Uniqlo ones seem to have worn the best.

[lindyloo57]

I got my first cashmere jumper in the m&s sale about four years ago, that jumper is still going strong a little bit of pilling well it is 4 years old, but i must say I have around 4 or 5 more cashmere jumpers i got from m& s and they definitely are not the same quality, they all ball and pill badly after 1 year, i feel like throwing the newer ones away and don't think I would buy cashmere from m& s again.

[Cuddling57]

I keep being tempted. I'm no good with keeping clothes nice though and always wear thermal tops under my jumpers so not sure I would get the soft feel.
Anyone have cashmere scarves?

[Spaghettio]

Thank you @minipie !

[MrsClatterbuck]

Just washed two of my mum's cashmere jumpers also M&S Autograph. I washed as per the label 40° delicates. I used woolite and they are fine. I also have a hand wash facility on my machine and was thinking of using it but decided not to. Mum is regretting not buying the animal print cardigan last winter using the 20% sparks discount. I bought it but she said to return it. I got a lovely aubergine hoody in a Mark's sale one year. It was £115 and I got it for around £70. I bought an grey one last year. They are so warm and cosy. Very good for when eating outdoors at a local cafe which we may be doing a lot more of due to covid. I also own two cashmere scarves.

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

oooh yes a cashmere scarf sounds like pure indulgence! I'm also eyeing up the cashmere wrist warmers from Turtle Dove.

[Housewife2010]

I always handwash cashmere inside out in tepid water with some woolite. Then I spin it in the washing machine before leaving it to dry. If it pills I use a cashmere comb. I have lots of M&S and John Lewis cashmere. I avoid Boden knitwear. I have had to return many items to Boden over the years for pilling terribly on the first wearing so I avoid it now.

[TheDogsMother]

I love cashmere and have found some lovely new Boden and M & S items on eBay. Cashmere is one of the few good things about winter

[Craftycorvid]

Cashmere. Lovely, innit? It’s worth stalking eBay for brands such as Pringle, Johnston’s, Brora and so on; the cashmere is likely to be best quality. And the good stuff usually washes well, as pp have said, cold machine wash on a short cycle should be fine, with a delicate fabrics liquid or soap. However, natural fibres don’t need loads of washes - unless it’s dirty, pop it on a radiator or outside to air for a while after wearing. I then put mine in bags with a moth ball - yes, they smell but you can air the smell off next time you wear the garment. I find that getting all my woollens out and checking them a few times a year, then bagging and mothballing them does the trick.

[lindyloo57]

The thing is my cashmere jumpers which have pilled and balled badly after only one year, I haven't wash them i rotate them and always wear a long sleeved cotton or a thermal top underneath so they never touch skin, obviously if i dropped any food on them I would normally hand wash. 3 of them were only purchased last winter.

[JosephineDeBeauharnais]

Edinburgh Woollen Mill is closing down so I’m hoping to scoop up some cashmere bargains from there. Their plain coloured round neck sweaters are very good value and I wear them pretty much all winter.

[Ineedflour]

@LifeInAHamsterWheel

oooh yes a cashmere scarf sounds like pure indulgence! I'm also eyeing up the cashmere wrist warmers from Turtle Dove.

The wrist warmers are wonderful!