The ultimate guide on how to purchase affordable cashmere
Since the 18th century, cashmere has been recognised as an aristocratic favourite due to the rise of the British Empire. It wasn’t until the 1980s that cashmere worked its way down the social pyramid and into the laps of iconic designers like Jean Muir and Eileen Fisher, who went on to create iconic cashmere pieces. As always, runway fashions make their way to budding high street stores, but rather than wait for the clearance sales, cashmere can now be accessed just about anywhere.
So how has a fabric of such luxury made its way to the wardrobes of the average person?
The rise of the affordability of cashmere
Before the recession in the very early 2000s, cashmere made its way to high street markets. To justify the costs of a cashmere jumper, rather than shop clearance sales, the average British consumer found themselves stretching their expenditure to justify purchasing quality fabric. It was seen as an investment.
Fast forward a couple of decades and what was a large saving of £99 has now become the norm for most purchases. Irrespective of this, the high street market goes on to sell cashmere products in bulk, at an average of £80 - £200 a piece. But don’t let this fool you.
The cashmere jumpers you see in the high street aren’t always the same cashmere designs you find on the runway. Cashmere was, and to some degree still is, costly but there are many factors which determine its value. Like most garments, the manufacturing process, sourcing of fabrics and overall brand value all contribute to the price of the end product. However, it’s the sourcing and binding of the fabric which determines the product’s value for money.
Where does cashmere come from?
Cashmere comes from the Himalayas, where the finest is often sourced from the mountains of China or Mongolia. Of course, within the Himalayas there’s a Himalayan goat that has been bred specifically to be the source of cashmere.
Each goat is double fleeced to combat mountain-high temperatures; the outer layer is often rough to withstand water while the inner layer is a fine, warm undercoat. As temperatures become colder, the inner coat becomes thicker and softer, and it isn’t until spring that the goat begins to shed.
Once collected, the cashmere wool is then handed to the traders who kickstart the manufacturing process.
Manufacturing can help determine the value
The manufacturing process is where you can determine the quality of a cashmere piece. If a brand isn’t transparent about its source or production process, then always check the label.
More often than not, you’ll find that affordable cashmere products are not 100% cashmere. Instead, it’ll contain a certain percentage which is enough to market the product as ‘cashmere’. This is usually how affordable cashmere pieces are found in high street markets and not just in cashmere clearance sales.
Cashmere should gradually get softer over time, however, some manufacturers overwash this fabric to soften the garment quickly, and make it more appealing to the high street consumer. To make the manufacturing process even more cost-effective, some will often knit thicker fabrics with cashmere fibres.
In addition to the combination of fabrics, machines which automate the sorting and binding of cashmere materials can quicken the distribution process to high street retailers. Something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a brand with sustainable practices.
Is cashmere affordable?
Yes and no.
Cashmere products have become affordable due to changes in manufacturing. Rather than pay family-run businesses to sort cashmere fibres, automated machines along with cashmere blend fabrics can sometimes decrease the price of cashmere clothing. Nonetheless, that’s not to say binding other fabrics devalues all cashmere blend products. Some designers choose to blend cashmere fabrics with other materials to enhance the durability of a product.
100% cashmere products aren’t necessarily ‘affordable’ but they are reasonably priced. Whether you're a fan of cashmere or a first-time buyer, cashmere collections are often timeless and therefore, great value for money.
If you’re a fan of clearance sales, then it's easy to find cashmere pieces at a good price. For extra reassurance, check the biography of a company. If their story is transparent, then it’s more than likely their fashions will be durable.