The Cashmere Guide

Pure Cashmere, pure TLC

Why settle for wool when you can treat yourself to cashmere?

It’s three times more insulating than wool and maintains your body temperature. Cashmere scarves, jumpers & cardigans are sigh-inducingly soft, thanks to the fine texture of cashmere fibres. You’ll also find that cashmere sweaters and hoodies are light, not itchy and they won’t shrink or go out of shape easily. Also if you look after it well, that beautiful black cashmere jumper you bought could last for 10 years. (That’s right, no bunging it into the washing machine on a hot wash.) If none of those logical reasons work for you, how about the delicious feel of your fave baby-soft white cashmere sweater on your skin?
Shop Cashmere

Cashmere without too much cash

Does the fact that cashmere is so expensive get your goat (see what we did there)? Read on & you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Cashmere is made in limited quantities, it’s produced seasonally and involves massive transport costs. But before you give up, there’s good news. At TK Maxx, because of how our buyers scour the globe to snap up those super cashmere finds, we’ve got some great cashmere bargains right here.

Thank you, cashmere goat!

Yes, cashmere actually comes from rare fibres found in the undercoat of cashmere goats in North West India. And no, it’s not smelly. Cashmere keeps the animals warm in the winter but not too warm in the summer. It can take up to four years for a goat to produce enough fine undercoat hair to make just one pure cashmere jumper. Yup, that’s four years of hanging around in mountains and blizzards. No wonder cashmere is expensive…

Sweater, jumper, scarf, hat…find your unique style

Whether you’re after a pure men’s cashmere scarf, a gorgeous women’s cashmere jumper, a baby-soft scarf or even a casual cashmere hoodie, you’ll find it right here. We’ve got everything from subdued beige cardigans to bright, multi-coloured, striped, oh-my-eyes sweater styles. You’re unique, so there’s no reason why your choice of cashmere shouldn’t be.

Caring for your cashmere? Check. Check. Check.

Everyone’s got lots of questions about this luxury fabric. Here are the answers to your cashmere questions:

  • Can I wash it in my washing machine?

    Yes, absolutely. Use the handwash cycle on your machine. If your machine doesn’t have a handwash cycle, button up your cashmere inside a pillow case and put it on a cold wash.

  • Can I hand wash cashmere?

    Definitely. In fact, you’ll be giving this beautiful fabric the love it deserves: wash it with your hands using a special cashmere shampoo or even a mild baby shampoo. And your fab cashmere find will give you joy for years to come.

  • Should I dry clean cashmere?

    No. Dry cleaning uses harsh chemicals. You’ll wear down the fibres in your beautiful cashmere jumper or sweater over time.

  • Should I wring out the water after washing?

    No. Wringing or squeezing harshly will stretch out the fabric and make it lose its shape. Instead, fold the sweater into itself in a ball, press on it until it’s still damp but not soaking wet.

  • What do I do with all the excess water?

    Lay your damp sweater on a towel, re-shaping it as much as you can. Then from the bottom, roll up the sweater until you've basically got it into a tube shape. Press down a few times so the towel soaks up any excess water, then unroll and re-shape again.

  • How do I dry it?

    Always air dry. Just lay the sweater flat (hanging can cause the wet fibers to stretch) and let it air dry. You could always place it near an open window, fan or dehumidifier to speed things up.

Shop Cashmere