Cashmere's back ... but did it ever go away?
Cashmere’s back. Although … in my wardrobe it never went away. But it seems now that this amazing fibre has been gently reworked into a new range of fashion staples such as lounge and sleepwear, zip hoodies, wide-leg trousers, and even socks and underwear.
What’s more encouraging is the range of preloved cashmere items that are available. Some small businesses reclaim items that simply can’t be restored to their original purpose, resulting in a range of affordable neck gaiters, fingerless gloves, scarves and hats. And some preloved purveyors – yes, we’re talking Trash Chic here – have procured an amazing range of original items at very affordable prices. Honestly, if you’ve never worn cashmere before, you are missing a trick, as a whole range of male and female wearers would testify.
Origins
Cashmere wool is virtually as old as the goats it comes from. The softer parts of a goat’s undercoat are generally used for clothing. But nothing is wasted: the coarser fibres are used to make non-clothing items such as hard-wearing brushes. Who knew? Remember the relatively recent popularity of pashmina shawls and scarves? Those fibres came from goat herds residing around India’s Kashmir region. We have been wearing these throws in Europe since at least the mid-19th century. As well as India, China and Afghanistan are high-producing centres of the fibre. But you will also find production in Turkey, Iran, and even Australia and New Zealand.
Sustainability and durability
Let’s put it this way, as long as we have goats that shed their coats, we’ll have cashmere. And I haven’t heard of goats becoming extinct any time soon. As for durability, that very much depends on the quality and thickness of the fibre in the first place (they all have different purposes), not to mention how you look after it. Oh, and we do need to mention the enemy of cashmere here: those fibre-nibbling moths who can quickly render a sizeable hole or two. My antidote is a spot of visible mending – there’s a whole other blog in that topic alone. I don’t mind telling you I have pieces that are decades old – some gifted, some thrifted and some facelifted – and they ain’t going anywhere any time soon!
Availability and affordability
Of course, you can spend huge amounts of money on a single cashmere item from a high-end label. The canny shopper who might not have a line of noughts at the end of their bank balance will also look in vintage and thrift stores and possibly car boot sales. The even cannier shopper will do some research on curators of reasonably priced items – vintage or otherwise – such as Trash Chic. There’s plenty for everyone out there.
A word to the wise
Don’t be afraid of cashmere. Don’t hide it away ‘for best’ (as my mother would say). My top tips are definitely: flaunt it; love it; look after it; mend it; and let it keep you toasty warm as winter draws ever closer. Those gorgeous goats have worn it every day for years. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t either!
Where to get your affordable cashmere
Trash Chic will be popping up at Grand Arcade in Cambridge from 30 May to 1 June and there will definitely be an enticing stash of cashmere for sale (along with the usual beautifully curated collection of preloved clothes). Most of the cashmere is priced at around £30.
Friday 30/Saturday 31 May, 10am to 6pm. Sunday 1 June 11am to 4pm. Find Jane upstairs in the Let's Go Circular unit. Go up the escalator by Costa Coffee, opposite John Lewis. Turn left at the top and it's 4 units down.
If you can't make that event why not email Jane at shop@trashchic.co.uk and book a private shopping session.
Sandra Stafford is an author, editor and long-time Trash Chic customer.
