A couple of weeks ago I published the Top 12 Essential wardrobe Staples for the Grown Up Womans Closet which ended up being my most read post of all time. In the article I said the next one in this series would probably focus on the pieces you need to add ZING to those staples. However before we move on I want to qualify why I specifically chose cashmere as a staple because I think it came off sounding a little pretentious. If you know what I mean?
100% Cashmere is very expensive for sure, that’s a given but if you think how often you can actually wear it then it soon pays for itself. The unique beauty of this kitten fur goat hair is not only physical but also genuinely practical with its natural ability to balance body temperature. Like wool it’s a hollow fibre although much finer than wool, even the best quality merino isn’t anywhere near as thin – Measured in microns (human hair is 75), cashmere fibre is 11-18 where merino wool is 24 microns yet cashmere is warmer! This means as well as being warm it is incredibly light so you can literally wear it all year round & what’s more, if you take care of it cashmere won’t pill or lose shape as readily as wool giving it greater longevity.
Where to buy the best Cashmere Sweater
Now when I say “the best” I mean in every aspect from quality & price through to style. There’s a lot of cheap cashmere on the high street that I wouldn’t bother looking at, it’s below par standard & quite frankly pointless. Just being labelled cashmere doesn’t make it 100% or of high quality as there are many variables required to yield superior yarn. Among other things these include the length of the fibres, where the goats live & what they eat. Consequently the intensive manual labour & number of goats involved to produce one cashmere sweater make it unavoidably pricey which has spawned a market for an inferior product. On the other hand the cost of cashmere can easily cruise stratospheric when individual pristine hairs are collected with gilded combs by magical virgins simultaneously farting rainbows. Clearly those special jumpers are only an option for Oligarchs & Rock Stars! I’m being facetious of course but you get my point right? So for the rest of us with our sensible shoes on terra firma there is the wonderful Winser London.
You may already know I’m a fan of this British Label as I’ve written about them before here & here but perhaps you don’t know they now ship worldwide! WooHoo that’s news to my U.S & Aussie readers who were previously missing out.
Winser London Cashmere Collection
As you take a scroll through this collection it may seem small, limited even, but that ironically is what makes it great. With Winser you only need a few outstanding pieces for a range of perfection. If you could touch the downy softness online you’d snap it up in a heartbeat! As for colour, I’d go with whatever compliments the majority of your existing wardrobe, for me that’s either cream or baby blue. Whether you invest in the Audrey cardigan or sweater both are completely wearable with anything although I suggest the cardigan is more useful through warmer months because you can wear it open. I often throw on a cardi of a summer eve particularly if I’m sitting outside with my Aperol Spritz…Pauses wistfully for summer.
However if you’re still hesitant to spend so much money on knitwear start with the diaphanous cashmere wrap. Once you feel this gossamer light scarf caress your neck you’ll understand exactly what I’m talking about – Cuddling kittens.
What to wear with your Cashmere Cardi
The answer to that is simple – ANYTHING!
For today’s outfit I wanted to show how easily a cashmere cardi adapts to different temperatures. Fortunately the weather turned out four seasons in one day, it was literally cold & overcast one minute then bright sunny & warm the next! This is the Audrey belted cardi from Winser London that I styled with another belt I already had, Finery sandals & the Ganni Cherry Bomb T-shirt. It’s a dress down casual look deliberately to show an everyday outfit because I strongly believe you shouldn’t save things “for best”. Why go to the expense of buying a stunning piece for your collection that will rarely see the light of day? Wear it! I say wear it often & with everything & enjoy it…
Have a fab week one & all, see you soon or catch up with me over on Instagram xx
*Cardigan c/- Winser London
Comments ( 23 )
Maria at passion fruit, paws and peonies
I love a cashmere cardigan! This one is gorgeous. I’ve just seen Kate Hudson wearing a dress with a belt similar to this one too – you’re totally on fleek girl! x
MT
Oh really Maria? I like Kate Hudsons style so that is a lovely compliment thank you x
Nancy Baten
I have nothing cashmere. Don t know why not. The color is beautiful, and the clutch is fantastic! Have a happy Sunday!
MT
That’s a shame Nancy, I think you should get that sorted asap 😉
Abby@Midlifecrisisnut
I have eBay-recycled all non-cashmere cardigans and jumpers and wear exclusively cashmere now. Not to sound snob, but for its warmth and comfort (since I’m always freezing and wool is too itchy for me – menopause anyone?). I wear it all year round, even in summer. But hey funny lady – you got me with that rainbow farting comment! Ha ha ! Sending you lots of ‘kitten’ love! xx Abby
MT
YES to “Ebay recycling” Abby! You’re a woman after my own heart & I love the turn of phrase. I’m so glad you agree also with the year round wear, it’s not just me then? xx
No Fear of Fashion
I only had a cashmere cardigan once. And indeed I loved its softness. Washed it by hand (which I hate) and it stayed fine. Unfortunately I bought it a little tight and I grew out of it (these things happen… I cannot accuse the poor cardigan of having shrunk as it didn’t).
Your babyblue one is very versatile.
The reason why I haven’t bought another one is strange: I don’t like the standard sweaters and cardigans as they make me look like a stick. Cashmere or no cashmere. And if I see a fashionable one, with a drape or something else to take your eyes of my small hips, they are usually very expensive and high fashion (which doesn’t last).
Greetje
MT
That’s interesting about the style of cardigan, I must admit I’m not a fan of the waterfall. In your case it’s probably more a matter of trying on a few different lengths to find the most hip flattering? You try buying in a larger size so that when you belt it, it gathers a little giving you more width at your hips. Just an idea. Changing belts is a simple fix for most things I find.
No Fear of Fashion
You are right. I just bought a white shirt (story on the blog Sunday afternoon) and had to change it (up two sizes). Now if I belt it, indeed it gives the idea of hips (and bum). Yay.
MT
Fabulous! This is what I like to hear, good for you x
sequinist
I’ve had my eye on this cardigan for a while; I adore the colour, and Winser’s cashmere never disappoints. I REALLY like how you’ve styled it here. It looks so summery and fresh, and that adorable striped belt is perfect with it. I’m also a huge fan of cashmere, although I do wear some merino wool here and there too (again, Winser London, because theirs doesn’t itch, miraculously). xx
MT
Totally agree Lisa, Merino wool is also amazing if it’s good quality & the non itchy type! I think a cashmere wool blend is probably the perfect marriage & Winser do it very well.
Rachel
I adore cashmere but disagree that you can’t find bargains. Uniqlo cashmere is high quality and machine washes beautifully. I think it’s better than the jaeger cashmere I have. I also llike woolovers for their affordable but still soft and squishy merino and cashmere blend.
I refuse to buy non natural fibre knitwear and am often aghast at the price of some when I find they are made of acrylic or some other nasty plastic fibre
MT
That’s interesting you say about Uniqlo Rachel because I have heard that before. However I’d never recommend something unless I’d tried it first hand so I can’t comment on them personally. Still I am intrigued now that you’ve said it so I’ll make a point of checking them out. Speaking of these new plastic fibres, I see it as yet another new & improved way to pollute our oceans! What the hell?
Rachel
Be interesting to see what you can find out about their ethics and sustainability too. Mine was bought before fair trade etc became an concern for me and I haven’t found much out but what I read hasn’t be too reassuring. I will ensure I get years of use from it and investigate further before making more purchases.
Suzy Turner
I’ve been wanting to buy cashmere for AGES but just haven’t got round to it yet (I really need to start earning some more dinheiro – that’s Portuguese lol!). I did spot a couple of lovely cardigans and sweaters in John Lewis in January but I talked myself out of it (it’s one of my bad habits, although funny thinks it’s a good habit!). I am going to splash out ready for next winter though, for sure, because I’ll be earning loads of dinheiro by then – I’m very much into positive thinking at the moment 😉
You look GORGEOUS, as always Michelle!
Suzy xxx
http://www.suzyturner.com
MT
You definitely should Suzy! I promise once you do you’ll wonder why you waited so long! DeNiros! Bahahaha 😉 xxx
Gail Hanlon
I’m a huge fan of cashmere but you’re so right Michelle when you talk about the difference with quality cashmere. It really is worth the investment. Your close up shows how kitten soft that cardi is! Gail
MT
Oooh that’s made my day Gail thank you! xx
sara delaney
Since I’m nearly a grown up I’ve started investing in Cashmere – my go=to spot is J.Crew which is pretty affordable and has bang-on trend designs… though will check out Winser too after this post!
xx
MT
Pah you are still just a mere pup 😉 I know what you mean though Sara, I wouldn’t have spent the money on cashmere when I was younger either xx
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
“Magical virgins simultaneously farting rainbows” – QUOTE OF THE CENTURY!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😂😂😂
Love the combo of casual and cashmere (the blue is beautiful) – top marks MT!
Catherine x
MT
Teeheehee Have you not heard that one before Catherine? 😉 See you tomorrow babe xx