#The Essential Guide to Cashmere

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Cashmere is a status symbol that comes with great value as a luxury, elegance, unparalleled softness as well as warmth and timeless appeal. Pashmina shawls and pashminas, exquisite shawls and pashminas are made out of this delicate material and have become winter fashion staples. In this expansive guide, we go into detail about the history, manufacturing, quality, caring for, and environmental effects of cashmere, and spend a little while discussing why it remains a luxury item so wanted.

Where Does Cashmere Come From?

Cashmere is made of the undercoat of cashmere goats that live in areas where there is a harsh, cold climate like Mongolia, China and parts of India. To withstand freezing temperatures the goats’ coarse outer layer is overlaid by a fine soft undercoat. The luxurious fibers from which cashmere products including the pashmina wool shawl are made are derived from this undercoat.

The word ‘pashmina’ is used as synonymous with ‘cashmere’, mostly in India and Nepal. In addition to that, pashmina which specifically designates the finer variant of cashmere obtained from the Changthangi goats of Ladakh, and the generic cashmere both have excellent softness and warmth.

How Is Cashmere Harvested?

Cashmere harvesting is a very delicate process, in which the undercoat of a cashmere goat is combed or sheared during the molting season of spring. Whereas wool, for example, is generally shorn from the sheep, cashmere fibers are often painfully pulled from the animal’s underbelly by hand — the animal is technically unharmed.

Combing: The undercoat is naturally shed by goats and combed out.
Sorting: The sorted undercoat will be removed from the coarse outer guard hairs (hairs) of the fiber, which is the raw fiber.
Cleaning: Once the fibres have been sorted out dirt, grease and impurities are washed out leaving pure cashmere ready for further processing.

The premium pashmina shawls are also pricey because of this labor intensive process.

What Is the Process Behind Grading Cashmere Quality?

Cashmere quality is graded based on several factors:

Fiber Fineness: High-quality cashmere fibers are incredibly fine, measuring between 14 to 19 microns in diameter. The finer the fiber, the softer the product.

Length: Longer fibers are preferred as they produce stronger, more durable yarns.

Purity: Fibers free from impurities and guard hairs ensure a smoother, more luxurious texture.

Color: Natural white cashmere is the most valuable as it requires minimal dyeing, preserving the fiber’s softness.

Grading cashmere ensures that only the finest fibers are used in premium products like TCG London’s luxurious shawls and pashminas.

What Makes High-Quality Cashmere Distinguished by Excellence?

The distinction of high-quality cashmere lies in its unique properties:

Softness: On the first mention, the incredibly fine fibers cause the skin to be silky to the touch.

Warmth: Though lightweight in nature, cashmere is eight times warmer than wool.

Durability: Cashmere that is cared for properly will last for years and is an investment that should be made.

Luxurious Appeal: Cashmere is an exquisitely fashioned fabric, and that is precisely why high quality cashmere used in making pashmina shawl has a certain amount of sophistication.

TCG London pashmina wool shawls are made from premium grade cashmere, providing highest quality and style.

What Are the Essential Steps for Caring for Cashmere?

To keep cashmere soft, durable and timeless, it needs to be cared for. Here’s how to ensure your cashmere garments last a lifetime:

Hand Wash: Regular detergents can harm delicate fabrics, so use a mild detergent suited to these products with cold water.
Avoid Wringing: Grasp the fabric by the inside and gently press out excess water, do not twist or wring fabric.
Dry Flat: Avoid giving direct exposure of the garment to sunlight or heat and lay the garment flat on a clean towel to dry.
Store Properly: cashmere items can fold and store into a breathable bag to protect from moths and dust.
Avoid Frequent Washing: You don’t need to wash Cashmere too often, spot clean when necessary.

Following these steps you can ensure that your shawls and pashminas stay beautiful for years to come.

How Does Cashmere Production Impact the Environment?

While cashmere is a natural and biodegradable material, its production raises environmental concerns:

Overgrazing: Demand for cashmere clothes has gone up and in some areas there is overgrazing while land is being degraded and desertified.
Water Usage: Getting raw cashmere washed and processed requires a lot of water.
Carbon Footprint: Cashmere transportation from remote areas to market place has a contribution on greenhouse gas emission.

Brands like TCG London pledge to encourage awareness of sustainable practices, by sourcing cashmere made in an ethical way, and actively working to combat the environmental elements.

Why Is Cashmere Considered a Worthwhile Luxury?

Cashmere is often seen as an indulgence, but its unique qualities justify its status as a worthwhile luxury:

Longevity: Cashmere garments that are well maintained can last for decades, and are exceptionally good value for the money.
Versatility: Whatever the season, it’s perfect to wear cashmere – it keeps you warm in winter and lightweight and comfortable in cooler months.
Timeless Style: Classic, Cashmere never goes out of style.

When you invest in a high quality pashmina shawl from TCG London, you know the cashmere luxury and elegance will last you a number of years.

The Timeless Appeal of Cashmere

For centuries, cashmere has managed to preserve its status as the most refined and elegant of symbols. Mongolian snowy plateaus and the London streets have alike been spellbound by cashmere, renowned for its unparalleled softness, warmth, glorious charm. Cashmere is a timeless treasure whether you are adding a pashmina shawl for an elevated winter wardrobe or a lightweight scarf for the year round.

TCG London provides an exclusive collection of the luxurious pashmina wool shawls that brings the cashmere elegance and luxury. Come and explore our range of this unmatched material today.

In this guide, cashmere is distilled, including its luxury, sustainability and longevity. When it comes to shawl and pashmina prices or whether you are looking for the perfect shawl or pashmina to add to your collection; it is just cashmere that is unmatched in terms of elegance.

by Ram ji

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