Is Cashmere Sustainable?

Is Cashmere Sustainable?

Sustainability is one of the biggest buzzwords in society right now. We’re all taking steps to become more environmentally friendly, whether it’s ditching single-use plastic or taking public transport. The fashion industry is in the spotlight for its impact on the plant. Do you know the carbon footprint of your closet?

At Imperial Cashmere, we’re doing our part to make the fashion industry greener. Our cashmere is sustainably sourced from Inner Mongolian Albas White Mountain Goats using ecologically beneficial techniques.

While our cashmere is sustainable, not all cashmere is made equal. As an environmentally conscious brand, we’re here to educate our community about the sustainability of cashmere.

We’re deep diving into the question of “is cashmere sustainable?”. Our guide tells you everything you need to know about cashmere, whether it’s sustainable, and how to make your cashmere knitwear more eco-friendly.

What is Cashmere?

Cashmere is one of the most popular fabrics in the luxury fashion industry. This fine wool is soft against your skin and suitable for every season. Most cashmere comes from goats and pashmina goats. It was originally known as ‘Kashmir’ and named after the region of Northern India where it was produced.

As a natural fiber, cashmere is more sustainable than its synthetic counterparts and is popular for its insulating properties. The expensive price tag of cashmere means that it is often blended with other fibers to make it more affordable.

Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of goats that are often specially bred to produce cashmere in countries like Mongolia and Iran. The goats naturally shed their undercoats during the spring, when it’s collected with a comb to gather the softest hair fibers.

The softness of cashmere means that it’s used throughout the fashion industry, from cashmere gloves to handwoven shawls. Cashmere is three times more insulating than traditional wool and is ultra-soft.

As cashmere does not contain lanolin, it’s considered hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin. You won’t experience the itchy sensation that you can get from wool or merino fabrics.

Although cashmere is considered delicate, it can last you a lifetime if cared for properly. Cashmere is one of the best investments you can make if you’re aiming to lower your carbon footprint and make more sustainable fashion choices.

While fashion trends come and go, cashmere is one fabric that has stood the test of time. It’s been present in fashion garments since the 15^th century and was made a status symbol by Empress Josephine.

Is Cashmere Eco-Friendly?

The buzz around sustainability in fashion means the environmental credentials of every fabric and garment are being questioned. Few fabrics tick all the boxes – and cashmere is no exception.

Cashmere is more sustainable than polyester or other wools due to its high quality. Investing in a cashmere sweater will last you a lifetime. You can lower your carbon footprint and become more eco-friendly by choosing cashmere over fast fashion.

Instead of choosing low-quality and trendy alternatives, investing in a high-quality cashmere sweater will make your closet more sustainable. While we should think about how the garment is made, its lifespan is just as important.

Research shows that people don’t wear at least 50% of what is in their closet. How often do you wear a jumper before it retires to the back of your closet? Each time you wear a garment, you help to lower its carbon footprint. It’s just like thinking about the ‘cost per wear’ of your clothes.

The more you love your clothes, the better it is for the planet – and your wallet! Cashmere is a guilt-free luxury that you can enjoy every day.

Not All Cashmere Is Made Equal

While we strive to make our garments as sustainably as possible, not all cashmere is made equal. The popularity of cashmere means that lower-quality brands often exploit it as a way of selling their products. It’s not uncommon to find sweaters labeled as ‘cashmere’ when they’re blended with other fibers, such as polyester.

The main question around the sustainability of cashmere comes from its use amongst fast fashion brands. It’s important to remember that cashmere is a luxury production. If you find it at a high-street price tag, it’s likely lacking any sustainable credentials.

We always recommend researching the brand to find out more about their cashmere. Any fashion brand that invests in high-quality cashmere will tell you about the artisans they work with and the specific type of cashmere they use.

At Imperial Cashmere, we take active steps to lower our environmental footprint and make our garments as sustainable as possible.  It’s our goal to minimize the environmental impact of our supply chain. Our cashmere knitwear is designed to be worn for years to come as pieces you’ll reach for every season.

By investing in high-quality cashmere, you can minimize your clothing waste and create an eco-friendly capsule closet. Whatever cashmere you choose, you can make it more sustainable by caring for your cashmere.

Our top tips for caring for cashmere include:

• Hand washing your cashmere or using a professional dry cleaner.
• Store your cashmere out of direct sunlight.
• Spot-clean your cashmere wherever possible.
• Have the pilling that will naturally occur on your cashmere over time.
• Use a mild and eco-friendly detergent when cleaning your cashmere.
• Lay your cashmere flat to dry.

Imperial Cashmere and Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Imperial Cashmere. We want your favorite knitwear to last you a lifetime. Our cashmere is sustainably sourced from the Inner Mongolian Albas White Mountain Goat using environmentally friendly techniques.

Our gloves, beanie, scarf, and shawl are handmade by artisan knitters using techniques passed down through the generations. It’s our mission to create heritage cashmere pieces and to create a better world for the next generation.

We’re committed to donating at least one percent of our profits to support animal rights organizations. Every Imperial Cashmere purchase helps us care for, shelter, and medically support animals in need.

Take your first steps towards curating a sustainable closet by exploring our range of cashmere knitwear. Find our latest womenswear arrivals here.