Cashmere is one of the most-mentioned, least-understood fibers in your closet. Here's where it actually comes from, why it costs what it costs, and what to do when it starts to pill.
Where does cashmere actually come from?
True cashmere comes from the soft undercoat combed — never shorn — from goats that endure brutally cold winters at high altitude. That harsh climate is exactly what makes the fiber so insulating. Each goat yields only a small amount of usable down each year, which is part of why genuine cashmere is prized rather than mass-produced.
Why is cashmere so much warmer and lighter than wool?
Fiber for fiber, cashmere is finer and lighter than sheep's wool, yet remarkably warm — and breathable enough to wear comfortably indoors. Our cashmere is 100% Himalayan cashmere, hand-combed from Chyangra goats and knit by artisans in Nepal.
Is pilling a sign of bad cashmere?
No — pilling is completely normal on cashmere, even the highest-quality kind, and it's not a flaw. A gentle cashmere comb removes it easily without damaging the fabric. With proper care, a cashmere piece can easily outlast a decade of regular wear.
See how cashmere compares to wool, alpaca, and every other fiber we carry in the Natural Fibers 101 guide, or shop our cashmere collection to feel the difference yourself. The interactive fiber care guide has the full wash, store, and de-pill routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is cashmere so expensive?
Each goat produces only a small amount of usable cashmere down per year, and the fiber must be hand-combed rather than machine-shorn, which makes it far more labor-intensive to produce than sheep's wool.
How often should I wash cashmere?
Cashmere needs far less frequent washing than most fabrics — airing it out between wears and spot-cleaning is usually enough, with a full gentle wash only every several wears.
Is cashmere hypoallergenic?
Cashmere is generally better tolerated than coarser wool by people with sensitive skin, thanks to its finer fiber diameter, though it isn't lanolin-free the way alpaca is.
