Cashmere: a material for all seasons

Cashmere is a material appreciated for its quality, for the total softness it leaves on the skin. A feeling of pampering, of love, because it can be worn even without a protective sweater: it warms, but without the problem of that annoying itching that leaves a 100% wool, which is why more and more companies are choosing to combine wool with other materials, synthetic or natural, including cashmere.

A versatile material, therefore, wonderful on its own but also in the company of other materials: not only wool, but also, for example, viscose. But is it a product only suitable for cold temperatures? Absolutely not! Fashion also sees it trending for the spring summer collections of 2021, and not only from this year. 1stamerican.it has made cashmere a material suitable for all seasons, investing not only in quality (cashmere has an important and highly artisanal process) but also in the quality/price ratio: the company has made affordable prices its workhorse, making the purchase of cashmere garments more affordable for everyone (cashmere is precious and, like silk, it has a higher starting cost).

Reasons to choose cashmere

But what are the factors why cashmere is one of the most popular materials? Let’s see them:

• It is unbeatable for softness and comfort. This is thanks to its noble origins: it is a totally natural yarn and is obtained by working the hair (or wool) of a goat present in Asia above 1000 meters. Up to a maximum of 200 g of yarn can be produced from each goat and cashmere is therefore valuable (and not cheap).
• It has its own wonderful sheen, similar to that of silk.
• It is a naturally insulating material, which is why it is used for winter clothing (in addition to classic sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, but also coats, etc., etc.) and not only are very popular.
• Combined with the other fibers, it gives the fabric its characteristics, elevating it.
• It is lightweight and takes up little space.
• It has its own strong temperament and resists the passage of time. In reality, it also resists wrong washing, or at least resists more than other wools.

When you try cashmere, in summer as in winter, you want to never stop. This is why it is a product that makes you want to choose and choose again.

How do I wash it?

Have I grown fond of my cashmere wool sweater and I’m terrified that it might shrink? No problem, it’s not that easy. But let’s see how to wash it, just to be on the safe side!

First of all, a virtuous practice will be not to use it for too many consecutive days and to give it a “refresh” more often: the ideal will be to give it a 24-hour rest between uses or not to wear it more than two consecutive days.

How to wash it? Hand! Cashmere naturally absorbs water and to wash it at home, just leave it to soak in a basin with the side turned upside down for a maximum of five minutes together with a specific detergent for wool and delicates, massaging it without rubbing it, with as much tact as possible. Once removed from the water, the ideal is to let it dry wrapped in a cloth: in this way it can have a more harmonious drying thanks to a more gradual release of water. In short, all the kindness we are capable of will suffice; it will repay us by keeping us pleasant company for a long time, even for a lifetime!

Machine washing, on the other hand, is highly inadvisable as it is highly degenerative for the fabric.

Cashmere: why it adapts to all seasons

To sum up: we have seen that it is comfortable and silky; which washes rather easily; that there are brands, such as 1stamerican.it that offer it at extremely affordable prices. Let’s see why a garment so suitable for winter is also suitable for other times of the year.

The reason lies in one of the characteristics we have previously listed: its being naturally insulating which we could also say, in different terms, naturally breathable. That cashmere breathes, literally, is demonstrated by the type of washing it needs, which is water-based: like all living beings, cashmere also feeds mainly on water. And thanks to it he breathes. By breathing, it will be able to make the wearer breathe. Cashmere works similarly to silk: thanks to its texture and its “bronchial capacity”, it is able to adapt to all seasons, especially when combined with the right material.

In winter, its complementary material will be wool, indeed, the different types of wool yarns.

In summer, the combination materials will have to be different and are still the subject of study and research. 1stamerican.it offers it mixed with viscose, which is also a natural material: the union of the two fibers brings maximum benefits to both fabrics, for fresher, more elastic and softer garments. We will see how in detail later.

For mid-season, 1stAmerican offers the cashmere and silk mix. A cardigan made of this material will really be naturally breathable and will also be functional in summer, when after particularly hot days come evenings where the classic sweater is necessary. Cashmere will brighten up your holiday with softness and in the mountains (where you can already find snow in August) in addition to being an extremely useful garment, it will take up little space in your suitcase.

Cashmere and viscose: a perfect combination

The places where the hircus goat originates (this is the name of the goat that gives us the precious yarn from which cashmere originates) are, as mentioned, the mountainous areas of Central Asia, in particular Tibet, Mongolia, Afghanistan but also Iran. These regions are characterized by a climate that oscillates between extreme temperatures on both the cold and hot side, with strong swings between day and night. For this reason, our goat has developed a yarn capable of protecting it, a real thermoregulator. But how to enhance it even more, in summer? Viscose has many advantages and 1stAmerican offers it, in the collections for the warmer seasons, with a percentage that reaches up to 30%. Let’s find out why this choice!

Viscose is a 100% vegetable material, being made from wood, bamboo, straw or cotton waste. From the treatment of this cellulose, a sort of slime is obtained (similar to that produced by the silkworm) which is solidified with chemical products, for example sulfuric acid.

But what are the merits of viscose? Here they are:

• It is a light, shiny, velvety, soft and smooth material. Does it remind you of anyone? Yes, it is a cross between cashmere (in terms of consistency) and silk (not only in terms of workmanship but also in terms of shine).
• It is also close to silk for the sensation of freshness it releases in contact with the skin (for this reason it is also called vegetable silk) and is appreciated in hot and humid climates.
• Resistance to tearing and heat from the sun.
• Chromatic variety: it can be found in many different colors.

In the beginning, chemical solvents were used in the processing of viscose . Manufacturing companies are increasingly trying to work from an ecological production perspective, where they can create fabrics with the lowest possible environmental impact. This has led to the discovery of more natural solvents, also for the production of this material. There are two further positive effects deriving from this choice:

• Less wrinkle of viscose, which is faster to iron.
• Faster drying speed after washing.

As you can guess from these lines, viscose is not a material for winter, but for summer and mid-seasons, also perfect for changes from one climate to another. It is cheaper than silk (with which it shares some characteristics) both in terms of processing and, consequently, in terms of cost. And how does cashmere combine? It enhances viscose thanks to its softness and thermoconvector characteristics; moreover, it wrinkles less easily. In short, you get a soft, fresh, easy to iron and even more to wash garment (in this case the washing machine is really excellent), capable of drying quickly in the sun and above all of lasting over time. At a much lower cost than a 100% cashmere or cashmere-silk. Brands such as 1stAmerican have embraced these choices, in the name of ethics, sustainability, and product traceability. Not bad, right?

And silk?

Silk is a material that lies in the middle between cashmere and viscose, adapting well to both. Because? Let’s find out the features:

• It is a fresh, tear-resistant fiber, with an adjective to be described: silky means soft and shiny.
• It’s thin, warm in winter and cool in summer: are you on a boat trip or holiday? Bring a silk scarf with you, you won’t regret it!
• It is a natural insulator, it is waterproof: even before oilskin, silk was used (and is still valid).
• It makes the wearer’s skin breathe.

Being a valuable production (it is obtained from cocoons; for each kg of silk it takes about 10 kg of cocoons) at high cost, it is increasingly combined with other materials and in particular viscose for seasons such as spring and summer; cashmere for mid-seasons and winter. 1stAmerican also offers it in this way: as well as combined with viscose or cashmere, alone in fine 100% silk pieces (not in the cost, however).

Textile research can have surprising results: a cross between innovation and tradition. Because you never stop discovering a natural material.

Combinations for winter

We have realized that in winter we will prefer sweaters, cardigans and dresses in cashmere, wool / cashmere, cashmere / silk. Ok, but what other fabrics will we combine them with? For men’s and women’s fashion, the combinations of materials are similar. Ready to discover them?

A cashmere sweater or turtleneck (or cashmere blend) will look great with denim garments (trousers, skirts, etc. etc.): it will give a warm and enveloping touch to a stiffer, straighter fabric. But that’s not all: it will give a chic allure to a garment with a sporty soul. A choice that reflects the current fashion trend very much. 1stAmerican offers garments that last over time, with classic style and shades: perfect for this year’s style and those to come.

Another interesting combination is that of the cashmere garment with velvet, for a truly elegant and refined solution. In the case of men, you can play with a velvet jacket with a cashmere yarn (or cashmere and silk) underneath; The trousers can also be made of velvet and not only in corduroy, but also in shiny velvet. For women, the velvet combination is extremely trendy and can be very interesting, for example with a cashmere dress and shiny velvet accessories: for a discreet elegance.

How I wear it in summer

Linen, cotton, hemp, viscose… There are so many solutions! A unisex solution? Cotton or linen trousers (long or knee-length, Bermuda shorts) with cashmere or viscose and cashmere polo shirts or tank tops. The style is sporty, refined, comfortable and elegant: all this year’s trends in a perfect combination for both leisure and office.

In summer, cashmere is also extremely used as a complement: not only in t-shirts, cardigans and tank tops, but a lot in accessories. A scarf, a stole, a foulard (a tie for men) are indispensable complements. On the 1stAmerican website you can also find silk scarves at extremely reasonable prices (and that literally last a lifetime). Not only that: the brand also offers 100% linen and 100% cotton garments, perfect for facing the hottest temperatures in complete coolness; In addition, these fabrics, like hemp, cashmere and silk, are perfect in terms of perspiration of the skin, which is thus able to breathe. As you have seen, it is impossible not to love cashmere: a fabric that can be worn and combined very well in all seasons and to always carry with you… even on vacation!