The cashmere sweater has become a staple in modern wardrobes. The classic sleek look of women’s cashmere sweaters can be a perfect casual pairing with jeans or dressed up with a jacket and slacks for a more formal look. The luxurious look and feel of cashmere adds a fashionable sophistication to outfits and the wide variety of styles and colors available make it easy to find the perfect cashmere sweater for almost any look.
Women’s cashmere sweaters come in a variety of weights and qualities of wool. Some thinner cashmere sweaters are perfect for layering with a tee shirt or button down shirt under a jacket or blazer. While other styles are more heavily woven in the cardigan or crew style. One of the keys to finding quality cashmere sweaters is the feel. Good cashmere has a soft smooth feel and holds its shape. Dying cashmere generally affects the softness of cashmere so lighter colors may feel softer than darker colors. When quality cashmere is stretched it should spring back to its original shape.
Any woven or knitted fabric can be prone to pilling, short fibers rolling up and forming unsightly little balls, and cashmere is no exception. To lessen this problem with cashmere, it is best to avoid wearing any hard accessories that rub on the sweater fabric. Things like necklaces, pins, and even purse straps can cause pilling. It is best to accessorize with scarves and strapless handbags.
For most cashmere sweaters gentle hand washing is the best care. Although many labels say dry clean, most knit cashmere sweaters can be hand washed. Over time dry cleaning chemicals may actually damage cashmere and make it more prone to pilling. A detergent formulated for delicate fabrics and cool water should be used when washing cashmere by hand. Cashmere sweaters should be laid on a towel, blocked into their original shape, and allowed to air dry. This gentle handling will allow cashmere sweaters to look better and last longer.
In order for a sweater to be labeled cashmere in the United States there are strict guidelines about the quality, size of fibers, and types of wool used. Even with these guidelines though, cashmere sweaters come in a variety of weights, styles, and price points. There are many retailers and designers that sell women’s cashmere sweaters including; J Crew, The Gap, L.L. Bean, JC Penney, Neiman Marcus, Lands End, Sak’s Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s. Although some chain department stores like JC Penney and Target sell women’s cashmere sweaters for as little as $40, sweaters from more trendy stores like J Crew, Lands’ End, and L.L. Bean can run $125 or more. Upscale department stores like Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom sell sweaters in a range of prices from about $150 for store brands, to sweaters that cost several hundreds dollars from designers like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Burberry and Juicy Couture. Quality women’s cashmere sweaters can sometimes be found at discount prices online at sites such as Overstock.com, Zappos.com, or Bluefly.com or at the outlet stores of upscale retailers.
The wide range of styles and prices for cashmere sweaters make them a great addition to any woman’s wardrobe. Women’s cashmere sweaters provide a stylish fun look when paired with jeans or a more serious look when paired with slacks or a skirt. Whether the activity calls for casual or dressy wear, the addition of a cashmere sweater gives an outfit a fashionable sophistication perfect for almost any occasion.
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