Cashmere for all seasons!
Cashmere is often associated with cold weather, and indeed, one of the main characteristics of cashmere is its warmth. But did you know that if chosen correctly, it is entirely possible to wear cashmere during the warmer seasons? Let me convince you!
Here is a summary of the different elements to consider when choosing your cashmere:
- Opt for fine cashmere
- Prefer a wide neckline and short sleeves
- Choose a loose fit
- Don’t hesitate to wear it directly on your skin
- Vibrant colors for a beautiful summer
- Putting it into practice with different outfit combinations
- Mixing materials
- Cashmere fleece: a great alternative
First of all, let’s revisit the exceptional properties of cashmere: this animal fiber, derived from the undercoat of the Capra Hircus goat, is undoubtedly the ideal asset for your winter wardrobe. In addition to being a natural material, it retains heat when it’s cold. Another advantage of cashmere is that it is soft and therefore very comfortable to wear, especially directly on the skin, as it is known to be hypoallergenic. Finally, cashmere is a noble material because it is rather rare and durable, transcending trends and generations due to its timeless nature.
But did you know that cashmere can be worn all year round? For those who still doubt the connection between cashmere and a summer wardrobe, here are my arguments and some tips!
Choose a fine knit
It seems logical, but to know what suits best, there are three characteristics to consider.
First, the thickness of the yarn. The most common is what is called a 2-ply (sweater), which means that in a strand of yarn, there are two threads. This is the minimum. The more plies there are, the more material is used, and the more expensive the sweater will be. At Mahogany, it can go up to 56 plies for some exceptional pieces. But what interests us here are fine sweaters, so as you may have guessed, I recommend opting for a 2-ply cashmere sweater.
Next, let’s talk about the yarn count. The yarn count is the weight-to-length ratio. The higher the number, the finer the yarn and the better the quality. Thus, if the yarn count is 2/26 Nm, it means it is composed of 2 plies, and it takes 13,000 meters of the same yarn to weigh 1 kg. The classic sweater most commonly found on the cashmere market has a yarn count of 2/26 Nm.
Finally, cashmere is also defined by the gauge, which is the spacing of the stitches (the number of stitches per unit of surface area). At Mahogany, the gauge for most 2-ply sweaters is 12. The smaller the gauge, the less tightly the knit is. We will use larger knitting needles for a sweater made with a gauge of 7. The so-called “déjaugé” sweaters from Mahogany are made with a gauge of 7. This makes the sweater lighter and gives it a very airy look, making it perfectly suitable for the warmer seasons. This is how a 2-ply déjaugé cashmere sweater can become the perfect ally for your spring/summer season.
Free the arms and neck
When we think of cashmere, we think of sweaters. However, there are also cashmere pieces with short sleeves or sleeveless designs, allowing you to keep your arms free while still enjoying the softness of cashmere. The shape of the neckline can also vary. It’s obvious that we wouldn’t go for a turtleneck, but rather for a wide-open neckline, whether it’s round or V-shaped. Brands are becoming increasingly inventive, and at Mahogany in particular, you will easily find what you need to spend your next summer vacation in style!
Choose a suitable fit
Let me explain. To feel comfortable in your cashmere sweater or t-shirt, I recommend opting for a slightly loose fit that doesn’t cling to your skin, allowing air to circulate. There’s no need to go for an oversized fit; I simply recommend avoiding cashmere sweaters or t-shirts with a fitted or tight cut to ensure maximum comfort. And for those who get chilly easily, a light camisole underneath will do the trick.
Choose to wear it directly on the skin
Once you’ve found the 2-ply cashmere sweater or t-shirt that suits your fit, you can enjoy wearing it directly on your skin. Cashmere has the advantage of not being itchy, making it very comfortable as well as very lightweight. It doesn’t make you sweat because it is thermoregulating, meaning it provides warmth in the winter and breathes in the summer.
A thousand and one colors!
All that’s left is choosing the color or pattern! This aspect depends primarily on you and your preferences, but for a vibrant summer, Mahogany offers a range of bright colors such as sunflower yellow, azure blue melange, blood orange, shocking pink, and basil green. Let your desires run free; cashmere comes in various styles and will adapt to all your current moods!
Cashmere, an ally all year round!
Not sure how to pair your cashmere sweater with your summer pieces? Here are some ideas that might help you: To finish off your sweet summer evenings, what could be better than a lovely 2-ply cashmere sweater with a loose fit and a V-neck, in a bright coral color, easy to pair with a denim skirt (like ZANJAN)? Don’t forget your round-neck sleeveless 2-ply cashmere tank top in pink, perfect to wear directly on the skin for vacation. It will go perfectly with linen shorts (see VUPPIA). For spring, a long shawl collar cardigan (like PUCCI) in 2-ply sunflower yellow cashmere over a white cotton ensemble will be perfect for an elegant and vibrant look.
And that’s how I advocate for this superb material, cashmere, even when it’s sunny and warm!
Mixing materials
To go further, if like me, your favorite material is cashmere but you reserve it only for the winter season, there are other alternatives available to you.
Of course, as temperatures rise, we tend to desire lightweight and breathable materials. Those aren’t typically the characteristics we associate with cashmere right away. But Mahogany offers in its collection pieces made from a blend of materials such as cotton/cashmere or silk/cashmere. Cotton and silk are fine and breathable materials, and combining them with cashmere makes these sweaters, t-shirts, and accessories ultra comfortable, durable, and elegant.
To delve into the details, the cotton & cashmere pieces offered by Mahogany are composed of 85% cotton and 15% cashmere. This combination offers three major advantages: lightness, durability, and softness. Made with a yarn count of 2/48 Nm, this fine and pleasant fabric is the perfect piece for the mid-season or even summer.
As for the silk & cashmere blend, made in the same proportion, it will become a true essential in your wardrobe once you try it. Its fineness (yarn count of 2/60 Nm) and its brightness give it a silky and pleasant-to-wear appearance. Cashmere will bring softness and make this piece a very harmonious blend.
Cashmere fleece, like a second skin
There is one last thing I want to address to finish convincing you, and that’s cashmere fleece. The cashmere fleece from Mahogany is designed to be worn closest to your skin. It will bring you comfort and well-being throughout the year. This is a different yarn quality compared to classic 2-ply sweaters, as it has a different yarn count than what is typically found in the cashmere market, which is 2/60 Nm (instead of 2/26 for classic 2-ply sweaters).
Cashmere fleece garments are often timeless pieces; at Mahogany, they are carefully crafted to adapt to your body shape and meet your needs. From sweaters to pajamas, and from tank tops to simple t-shirts, our cashmere fleece items will accompany you both during cool summer evenings and throughout long winter nights. As you’ve understood, this type of clothing is worn directly on the skin, either alone or underneath a sweater or cardigan. You’ll feel light and airy, while still being at the forefront of comfort and elegance, even in summer! Delicate, they are intended for true connoisseurs who will appreciate all the subtlety and sophistication of cashmere.
As you’ve understood, there are several options for embracing cashmere in the spring and summer seasons. I hope my arguments and advice have convinced you to make a purchase! I invite you to visit the Mahogany website to discover the wide range of cashmere pieces we offer at fair prices.
