|
Vince |
As summer comes to an end, get ready to spend fall and winter bundled up in luxurious cashmere sweaters. Warm, soft, and incredibly chic, cashmere is the ultimate cold-weather wardrobe luxury.
Cashmere Buying Guide
1. Why spend the money?
While purchasing a bulky wool sweater for cheap sounds
recession-friendly, it's probably not the most cost effective. After a
while, that cheap-o sweater will lose its shape, and will leave you
itchy for the rest of the winter. On the other hand, a soft, lightweight
cashmere sweater — if cared for properly — will continue to fit snug
against your body and keep you warm for a lifetime of winters to come.
When it comes to price-per-wear, cashmere is the way to go.
2. Be 100% sure it's cashmere.
Just the word alone might be enough to send some people into
cashmere-induced states of ecstasy, but check the labels before you buy.
The Federal Trade Commission mandates retailers spell out the fiber
content of your new winter wear. If the tag says it's a blend — or if
there's no tag at all — slowly step away from the cardigan. A pure
cashmere garment will be thinner, warmer, and, in the end, more worth
your hard-earned money.
3. Two plies are better than one.
Look for items with 2-ply yarn — or two threads twisted together —
rather than a single strand. That one little thread of difference
doubles the quality of your cashmere, makes it stronger (no holes!), and
prevents pilling. If you live in an especially snow-covered region, you
can find 4-ply and 6-ply cashmere that's even thicker and warmer.
Otherwise, stick with tried and trusted 2-ply, which has the same
quality but will cost less.
4. Get touchy-feely with your cashmere.
Before you snatch up your favorite color and head to the register,
take a minute or two to feel the fabric. Run your hand over the front
of the sweater to check for fuzziness and pilling. Then crinkle the
fabric to analyze the wrinkle-factor. Quality cashmere will bounce back
from your touch and will neither pill, nor wrinkle. Last, rub the fabric
against your neck or under your chin — both sensitive skin spots.
Although cashmere gets softer over time, if the fabric is itchy to
start, it will continue to irritate your skin as you wear it.
5. Administer the hand test.
While you're checking the feel of the fabric, place your hand inside the
sweater for the hand test. If you can see your hand through one layer
of cashmere, put it back. The sweater is too thin (probably single-ply),
and it won't hold up over time. If you can't see your hand, hang the
sweater over your arm to see how it drapes. The cashmere worth your time
will conform to your shape rather than hanging stiff as a board.
6. Love your labels.
Although you love a good deal, when it comes to cashmere, quality is
queen. Buy from designers who specialize in cashmere, such as White
+ Warren and Autumn Cashmere. Or shop at large department stores with a
variety of labels to choose from, since those stores test their
merchandise for quality. When you find a brand you like, shop online for
the best prices. Otherwise, stick to purchasing cashmere in stores, so
you can feel the quality before you buy.
7. Clean with care.
With all the time it takes to find and buy a good cashmere sweater,
you'll want to make sure it lasts a lifetime. Take woven garments to a
reputable dry cleaner for the proper care, and hand-wash knits at home
with cold water and a gentle detergent, like
Cashmere Shampoo. Carefully press out the water with a towel, and then
lay them flat to dry. Be sure to go through this ritual before storing
your sweaters for the summer, since dirt attracts moths and other pesky
bugs.
Now that you have my trusty guide, shop the great cashmere sweaters below and start stocking your closets with the most luxurious fabric of the season.
|
360 Sweater |
|
Vince |
|
Vince |
|
Aqua |
|
Vince |
|
C by Bloomingdales |
|
Magaschoni |
|
Aqua |
|
C by Bloomingdales |
|
Magaschoni |
|
Magaschoni |
|
C by Bloomingdales |
|
Theory |
|
Theory |
|
Armani Collezioni |
|
Michael Kors |
|
Michael Kors |
|
Michael Kors |
|
Saint Laurent |
|
Proenza Schouler |
|
The Row |
|
Donna Karan |
|
Marc Jacobs |
|
Akris |
|
Halston Heritage |
|
Halston Heritage |
|
Rag & Bone |
|
Equipment |
|
INHABIT |
|
Vince |
|
Vince |
|
Vince |
|
Vince |
|
Banana Republic |
|
Alice + Olivia |
|
Banana Republic |
|
Banana Republic |
|
Banana Republic |
No comments:
Post a Comment