all cashmere will pill to a degree. There are many variables. Buying the purest, longest yarns aren't always the best answer but if helps. the down side is you will have to pay.
I would suggest if you can't afford the higher end cashmere companies then buy a blend with nylon, silk, or wool which will help strengthen the yarn hence preventing pill.
I have a good collection of Yum Cashmere... great for basics and light pull overs in winter. I'm going to spoil myself this winter and invest in some more cashmere
YUM cashmere... I've never heard of it... think it's google time!
nor crumpet!
Im finding that most cashmere from designers and brands in not actually that good... It may be supper soft but its not quality so like people say it piles quickley and ends up in a state... Im def finding that more traditional mills and paying a bit more for the material rather than the name is the best way forward to get the softest hardest wearing more luxurious cashmere... It should soften up with time!
I really like the Saks store brand- tons of colors and shapes and really soft! It's not too expensive and there's usually a moderate discount during the sales. I have three- navy, heather grey, and a soft yellow, and they're lovely. The navy is stretched a bit and pilling some around the hem, but that's my fault because I wore it almost every day over my t-shirts for seven months when I was on foreign exchange in Germany and freezing my butt off- I didn't really take care of it so it's amazing that it's held up so well! The other two are still in excellent condition since I am much nicer to them
Hi bumping an old thread. But desperately need recommendations for a good cashmere wrap. Most of the brands mentioned have more in the way of sweaters? TIA!!!!!
I'm wondering if any of you out there (Scandinavians in particular) have any experience with cashmere from http://www.life-is.dk/? They claim to have superior quality and only use the longest fibers, high ply, etc, but I they are relatively low priced at around $200 for a sweater, so that makes me wonder...I like a lot of their styles though and would love to get something from there if the quality is decent.
I'm wondering if any of you out there (Scandinavians in particular) have any experience with cashmere from http://www.life-is.dk/? They claim to have superior quality and only use the longest fibers, high ply, etc, but I they are relatively low priced at around $200 for a sweater, so that makes me wonder...I like a lot of their styles though and would love to get something from there if the quality is decent.
I have no experience with the brand unfortunately, but I can tell by the pictures that the garments are very thin. I don't know if that is something you would prefere or not.
holy Moley Just saw this one on their site and I am in love So pretty in both grey and black.
The prices are great, but remember you still have to pay VAT and the customs fees (which are a pain in the behind).
(source:Life-is.dk)
Some really interesting tips from Bruno Cucinellu on how to care for our cashmere garment:
Source: WSJ April 2011
Quote:
Brunello Cucinelli's cashmere collection goes well beyond the clothes made by his label. The fashion designer has a closet filled with cashmere blazers, sweaters and scarves, including pieces picked up from his travels to the Kashmir region of south Asia.
Mr. Cucinelli takes good care of his cashmere collection, believing the pieces can be handed down for generations. He has pieces that are more than 30 years old. "A cashmere knit is like a book," he says. "It is something to save and go back to time after time. It is the feeling of an embrace." Indeed, when cashmere is well cared for and stored, Mr. Cucinelli says, "its look can improve and the feel can become even softer." After each washing, the cashmere fibers get wider and more open.
But the designer, who is based in Solomeo, Italy, doesn't send his cashmere sweaters to the dry cleaner unless there's a tough stain that requires a specialist. While he sends coats and pants to the dry cleaner, he favors washing the rest at home by hand. Never wash cashmere in a machine, he adds. It "accelerates the aging of the fiber."
When cleaning cashmere at home, Mr. Cucinelli generally fills a container with warm water for pieces that are one solid color. For pieces that are printed or have more than one color, he uses very cold water.
Then, he takes a tablespoon of gentle hand soap or a soap that's specifically created for knitwear and dilutes it in five liters of water. (If you're using a fabric softener, he says, try a natural one such as white vinegar, as chemicals could alter the texture of the garment.)
Mr. Cucinelli soaks the garment in water for two to three hours "without moving it," a step that allows the fibers to open. Then he gently squeezes the water out without twisting the cashmere, which he notes would stretch the fiber too much. He repeats this step until all soap and water are gone.
The designer always lays the piece flat on a soft towel to dry. If he chooses to iron the piece at the end, he places a soft cloth on the piece so the iron is not in direct contact with the cashmere. Also, he uses the iron's steam setting to avoid harsh direct heat.
When stored, cashmere needs air, Mr. Cucinelli notes, "so it can 'breathe' because it is a natural fiber." The designer prefers to store pieces in a colorless cardboard box with cedar disks inside. A lightweight fabric bag also works, but a box gives material more room to breathe, and the cedar disks deter moths while adding a subtle scent.
If a spill happens while Mr. Cucinelli is out, he is careful "not to intervene right away, as you may worsen the situation by rubbing the stain too much." Instead, he waits until he can hand-wash the garment or, if the stain is bad, he takes it to a cleaner that specializes in treating cashmere.