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 buy M&S and John Lewis cashmere and find them similar quality. Wash on delicates with woolite. Put on shelves with Rentokil moth papers taped to them or inside wardrobe doors.
No problems so far

@Whitney168 that blue jumper is gorgeous 😍 Not in stock in my size unfortunately but I will keep an eye out for it.

I have cashmere jumpers fromM&S ive had years.Hand wash always ,gentle spin on delicates,Do not tumble dry.Cashmere dries quickly i find,lay it flat.

M&S do have fab sale bargains in cashmere normally.Last year bought a gorgeous jade green one and a rich pink one in sale half price.Go early in sale they dont hang about.

Really recommend the Brora cashmere snood - it is a thing of beauty

Thanks to this thread I have just treated myself to a grey cashmere jumper from TK Maxx.

I love it, feels so nice.

Oooh that's lovely @WingBingo - was it a bargain? I'm watching a few on eBay I recently got a gorgeous red cardigan with a big collar on it perfect condition it's only F&F but 100% cashmere and so soft, and in perfect condition. It'll be part of my Christmas wardrobe!

I wouldn't buy cashmere either for the same reason, the ethics of it and how it is harvested, very cruel

If I've washed a second hand cashmere jumper, will that be enough to kill any moth eggs?

I’ve been a convert since my teens. Couldn’t afford it then mind. I was gifted a sweater when a wealthy cousin cleared her wardrobe out. She does this twice a year, gets rid of this winters clothes to make space for next springs clothes. Entire. Wardrobe. Every. Year.

Enjoy your new find OP 😀

I presume you've remained very close with that cousin @AdoraBell

@LifeInAHamsterWheel I think so, it was £70 and feels like a bargain after lusting over the £200 John Lewis offerings.

Unfortunately not Hamster 🤦‍♀️

Yes I'd say £70 for brand new is pretty good! Enjoy wearing it.

Put cashmere in the freezer if you're worried about moths n shit

Congratulations 😊

It will bobble but that’s normal. Get yourself a cashmere comb off Amazon.

This is similar to the cashmere comb I use to get the pills off all my sweaters, etc..even on my cotton sheets or an acrylic blanket.
It's the best! So much easier and quicker than one of those electric shaver things. The combs aren't too well known here in the US, so I buy extras to give as gifts to my friends.
I always buy my cashmere at charity shops...I hold them up to the light to check for holes...so even if they do get moth eaten or a hole, I'm not out too much money...or I just find matching thread and take a few stitches to it. In my book, cashmere is cashmere...nothing wrong with a little hole. But I do always put it in the freezer to kill any eggs. Wearing a holey cashmere is good for the environment and lowers your carbon footprint

I like your thinking @Sweetpea1532

A PP mentioned that natural fibers do not need much washing. I have started to realise this as well. I sweat quite a lot and I cannot wear polyester or acrylic synthetic tops/cardi's/jumpers etc as the armpits really react to me and harbour the sweat and then I inadvertently smell.
So, for the last couple of years I've bought cotton tops, wool mix jumpers, bamboo etc and it's been absolutely fantastic for me. Just the other day, my merino mix jumper actually got hung back up again in my wardrobe to wear for another day, and the pits smell of...nothing.
I'm totally converted and of course, it all keeps me toasty warm, even the 100% cotton jumper today - slim, fitting and worn over my bra, nothing else but it kept me warm in a way acrylic has never done, unless I layer underneath first.
I'm poor though so no new fancy pants price tag for me. I really don't mind though! I love the challenge of scouring the charity shops and trawling ebay listings for hidden gems. The aforementioned jumper of today is a charity shop find. £4 for a fantastic quality Monsoon, delicately embroidered navy jumper that hadn't looked like it was even worn.
I hope to find some cashmere soon.

I hope you find some soon @ChetChet and I totally agree with you, it's lovely to be able to breathe new life into something pre-owned

Angora goat hair socks are sold for hikers as being non smelly, apparently they inhibit bacterial growth. I totally agree about the ponginess of synthetics chet. I get up fresh as a daisy but after half an hour in my polyester fleece dressing gown my pits feel sweaty. I have a cotton bathrobe which is far better. I suppose the trouble is on a chilly morning a fluffy robe is more appealing! I bet an old fashioned wool dressing gown would be pretty good. I imagine they cost a fortune.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel
Great minds think alike and all that! Another plus of cashmere is that when you give someone a hug (pre-covid, of course or a family member) whilst wearing a jumper, they usually tell you how soft and cuddly you feel..
They may even rub your arm and say, " ooh, cashmere ! It feels so posh"

Sorry but I also need to derail the thread after seeing these button covers. This is life changing as all my T-shirts get wrecked by these pesky little holes. Do they really work - I always assumed it was the zip under the button that was doing it rather than the button.

Back to the true purpose of the thread. I have a cashmere Boden jumper which they once put in my order by accident (and I forgot to tell them about)

What a nice surprise @chloechloe!

I am imagining the decadence of a cashmere dressing gown! Now that would be a real treat. If I win the lotto I'll buy everyone on this thread one!!

Oh hamster they cost a FORTUNE, I've just looked!

This thread has been very enlightening! When my son was in his teens, I was quite puzzled as to why EVERY one of his t-shirts had tiny holes at the exact same spot. I worked out that moths or silverfish were just enamoured with that particular area on all of his shirts....Hahahalol ! Today I learned after 20 years it was actually the buttons on his jeans causing them🤣