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)

I bought a lovely cashmere jumper in John Lewis in August. A bargain at £29. Uniqlo also pretty good. I also have three cashmere ponchos that I bought when I lived in China. I also machine wash mine.

I bought ,from the dress agency, today ...drumroll.....
A full length black 2 ply cashmere robe with a tie belt .
It was ..... £15 ! And brand new with tags !

Secondhand cashmere is lovely (and all I can afford) my dd is currently sporting a secondhand navy blue v neck cashmere for school to protect her from the endlessly open windows. I have a beautiful Cashmere polo neck that does the same job! I’ve found that cashmere mixed with merino wool is a bit more sturdy.

I think I must be a very sad person because I hang on to my worn-out cashmere. I've got a large bag full, and tell myself that one day I will sew myself a lovely patchwork blanket. I don't have enough yet, but it's reassuring to have some ready! Sometimes I take it out for a quick cuddle, then put it back for another day

@Trumpton you win the thread!!

@LifeInAHamsterWheel

A Dress Angency is just a posh way of saying a second hand clothes shop. Ours is an independent one .

Ahhh I see. There's no cashmere in any of my local dress agencies but I am happy to browse eBay with a glass of wine in hand

i live in cashmere all year around!!! cool in summer and cosy in winter.
i never pay full price. Sales are great.

I have quite a bit of cashmere, jumpers, cardigans, accessories, all bought from the cashmere factory outlets in Scotland.

H&M have good scarves - big knitted types and beanies..,Cos has a bigger range of colours. I wear out the elbows of my knitwear - It’s very annoying.

www.houseofbruar.com/ladies/knitwear/cashmere/?page=4

I haven't read the whole thread so may have been mentioned, but the House of Bruar, link above, in Scotland has the largest selection of cashmere in the UK, according to them. Not sure if it is all available online. The H of B is way out in the countryside, love going there when I am in that neck of the woods. Spend hours there, the place is divided up into women's, men's, gift shop, art sales, food hall, food shop. The cashmere part is in its own building. The most I have bought from there is a pair of gloves, they are the softest I have ever felt out of all cashmeres. Some of the designs are just beautiful, and I will raid my piggy bank and get a sweater from there one day.

My cashmere jumpers are from M & S, they have not worn well.

www.houseofbruar.com/ladies/knitwear/cashmere/?page=4

I haven't read the whole thread so may have been mentioned, but the House of Bruar, link above, in Scotland has the largest selection of cashmere in the UK, according to them. Not sure if it is all available online. The H of B is way out in the countryside, love going there when I am in that neck of the woods. Spend hours there, the place is divided up into women's, men's, gift shop, art sales, food hall, food shop. The cashmere part is in its own building. The most I have bought from there is a pair of gloves, they are the softest I have ever felt out of all cashmeres. Some of the designs are just beautiful, and I will raid my piggy bank and get a sweater from there one day.

My cashmere jumpers are from M & S, they have not worn well.

Sorry for double post. It told me to retry after first one failed.

Love cashmere! I do machine wash mine (and my 100% merino items) even if the label says dry clean only but our machine has a very gentle cold water delicates setting. No spin cycle. To dry them I lay out flat on a towel and then roll it up gently, after the worst of the water has soaked into the towel I transfer them to a knitwear drying basket or sometimes just straight to the drying rack if they are dry enough the wool shouldn't stretch. They seem to get softer with every wash :)

Lovely shop...and online too.

www.nearlynewcashmere.co.uk/pages/the-story

Men's and women's quality used.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

Just discovered a market stall selling second cashmere and got a really snuggly black cardigan for £25, and a beautiful duck egg blue Bora jumper for £10!

Where's that @GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal ?

Thanks to the posters who have suggested the nearly new cashmere website

I have loads of cashmere and I just wash them at 40 with all my other clothes to be honest. I dry them on the drying rack and it’s fine, they’re still super soft and snuggly!

Cremant I was at House of Bruar this summer, it’s lovely.. We spent a few good hours there, they have a great selection of cashmere brands, I mainly came away with plants though

I wear cashmere most of the year. Trumpton I’m jealous! I’ve been after a black robe for years and have never found any much under £200.

@TeaAndStrumpets

I think I must be a very sad person because I hang on to my worn-out cashmere. I've got a large bag full, and tell myself that one day I will sew myself a lovely patchwork blanket. I don't have enough yet, but it's reassuring to have some ready! Sometimes I take it out for a quick cuddle, then put it back for another day

@TeaAndStrumpets I send my worn out cashmere here www.cashmerecareservice.co.uk/

They mend, patch and restore it for about £40 per garment. I've had some miraculous restorations from them. There might be hope for some of your worn out stuff..

Thanks alpha that is a good tip. I wonder if they are the people who will wash and reframe sweaters? I think I've seen someone offering that too. I was actually inspired to try reframing the odd accidental shrinkage, and have rescued a few over the years! I can darn OK but only to lockdown standard

Most of my cashmere is vintage, it is so much better quality. Scottish is the best.

Hi all,
So glad you have found Nearly New Cashmere! Don’t want to hijack the chat but have actually been working for them for the past couple of months and they are such a fab little ethical business! 😊

Thanks I had a look but didn't see any/many? brand names. It's the first think I look for if buying second hand/vintage.

I have a mental list of top Scottish manufacturers, and have had some lovely finds on eBay and in charity shops.

I am a skinflint but very picky

However I can see the appeal of an ethical business and wish them all success!

Sorry, @shinynewapple2020, just saw this. Market stall was in St Albans, Herts, if that's any good to you?

Can I put in a recommendation for my newest acquisition:

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-cashmere-cable-turtle-neck-sweater/blue/p5099105

Such good value - much heavier weight than many at the lower price end, even with the cabling. They blue is lovely, and they also have it in grey.

All my cashmere just gets bunged in the machine on a 30 degree wool wash - no issues.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

Sorry, *@shinynewapple2020*, just saw this. Market stall was in St Albans, Herts, if that's any good to you?

Thank you. Unfortunately that's quite a way from me. Never mind I've saved details of the nearly new cashmere website .

Yes cashmere is amazing! Once you buy high quality clothes you shall never go back, sales are your friends!