THE LOVE KATE CASHMERE GUIDE
Soft. Warm. Remarkably light. And rather special.
Cashmere has a certain reputation.
Soft. Light. Warm. Luxurious.
And when it's the really good stuff, it really is something special.
At love Kate, we choose 100% Pure Cashmere for its exceptional softness, lightness and warmth — and because we believe some things are worth buying well, wearing often and keeping for years.
What is cashmere, really?
Cashmere is a natural fibre collected from cashmere goats living in the cold regions of Mongolia, China and the Himalayas.
Unlike the outer coat, the precious cashmere comes from the fine, downy underfleece the goats grow to protect themselves through bitterly cold winters.
As the seasons change and temperatures rise, the goats naturally begin to shed this winter coat.
That's where the beautiful bit begins.
From goat to love Kate
Our Pure Cashmere comes from Inner Mongolia — and we've been there.
In winter, the goats grow an ultra-fine, downy fleece beneath their outer coat for insulation. As the weather warms, this underfleece is gently hand-combed out by experienced herders, then graded, processed, dyed, spun and knitted into our finished pieces.
It's a remarkable, cyclical process.
And seeing it firsthand was one of the experiences that shaped our understanding of this extraordinary fibre — and one of the reasons we do what we do at love Kate.
We work with one longstanding specialist supplier, a relationship we've built over many years. We've visited them, met the people behind the process and seen the care that goes into turning this remarkable natural fibre into something you can wear and use for years.
That's important to us.
Why does good cashmere cost more?
Cashmere is a precious natural fibre, and producing quality cashmere takes time and care.
The fibre must be collected, sorted, processed and spun before it ever becomes a finished piece. The quality of the fibre itself matters enormously, as does the skill involved in turning it into something soft, durable and beautifully made.
Which is why we don't think of cashmere as something to buy simply because it feels luxurious.
We think buying less and buying better makes good sense.
For your wardrobe.
For your wallet.
And for the pleasure of owning something you'll reach for again and again.
Why we choose Pure Cashmere
It's wonderfully soft.
It's light without feeling insubstantial.
And it provides remarkable warmth for its weight.
A cashmere scarf on a winter morning.
A beanie on a windy walk.
Gloves when the temperature drops.
A travel blanket on a long flight.
Cashmere has a lovely habit of making everyday life feel just a little more comfortable.
That's our kind of luxury.
How do I care for my cashmere?
A little care goes a long way.
- Hand-wash gently in cold water with a mild detergent suitable for cashmere or wool.
- Don't wring or twist.
- Lay flat to dry.
- Allow your cashmere to rest between wears.
And, naturally, the better you care for it, the longer you'll enjoy it.
Will my cashmere pill?
It can.
A little pilling is completely normal with cashmere, particularly in areas that experience friction.
Quality cashmere with longer fibres is less prone to excessive pilling, but no genuine cashmere is completely immune.
A cashmere comb can gently remove loose pills and help keep your piece looking its best.
And we've got you covered.
Every love Kate cashmere purchase comes with a cashmere comb, because we want you enjoying your cashmere — not worrying about it.
When you're not wearing it
Cashmere is best stored clean and completely dry, folded rather than hung.
For longer-term storage, we recommend keeping it in an airtight or zip-lock bag to help protect it from clothes moths and silverfish.
Because we'd rather they found something else for dinner.
A little more about responsible cashmere
We care about where our materials come from and the people and animals behind them.
Our longstanding cashmere supplier in Inner Mongolia supports the Good Cashmere Standard, an independent standard developed by the Aid by Trade Foundation.
The standard addresses the welfare of cashmere goats, the livelihoods of farmers and farming communities, and the environmental conditions in which cashmere is produced.
It's another part of the bigger picture we consider when choosing the materials we work with.
Cashmere myths, busted
Myth: Cashmere comes from Italy — or bunnies.
Truth: Cashmere comes from cashmere goats, primarily in the Asian highlands.
Myth: All cashmere is itchy.
Truth: Quality cashmere is prized for its exceptional softness.
Myth: Good cashmere never pills.
Truth: Pilling can happen with any cashmere, particularly where there's friction. Good quality and proper care can help reduce it.
Why we think it's worth it
Cashmere is one of those materials that makes a strong case for less, but better.
Something soft enough to love.
Warm enough to rely on.
Light enough to take anywhere.
And, with the right care, made to be enjoyed for years.
We've seen where ours begins.
We've met the people behind it.
And we still get a little excited about the fact that something so soft starts with a goat standing in the snow.
That's pretty special.