Sumptuously soft, timelessly elegant, and supremely classy, cashmere is a prized fabric that is often a luxury item for those who own it in any of its several incarnations, such as sweaters, scarves, wraps, and coats. After perhaps only fur, cashmere is a premium extravagance, and makes a fabulous statement about its owners, saying that they only want the finest things in life, especially fashion. While pure cashmere can be pricey, cashmere blends have made the product more accessible and affordable for more people.
While the technical use of the word ‘cashmere’ refers to the super-fine wool taken from the Kasmir goat, a broader use for the term is often meant to mean any sort of high-quality, soft wool. Additionally, not just any hair from the Kashmir goat will do for cashmere, but must be gathered from the sides and back of the goat, which is where the softest and cleanest fibers are found (hair from the neck and underside is often more coarse, and too debris-filled to be considered of the best quality). The complicated process of collecting this fine wool is what causes it to be so expensive.
Cashmere might not be quite as practical for everyday children’s outerwear due to the rough-and-tumble nature of children’s play; however, cashmere coats for children would be appropriate and adorable for special occasions, such as church services, holiday gatherings, and school pageants. Similarly, cashmere might seem a bit extravagant for your average day at university, running to the market or stepping out to the pub, but once again makes a classy statement in the right settings, such as for job interviews or special dates.
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