A Men’s Guide to Wearing Cashmere
Who says women should be the only ones to enjoy the wonders of cashmere? The luxury fabric is made from the undercoat of cashmere goats and is extremely soft, fine, and warm to wear—which is ideal for the colder months. The delicate wool material is much thinner than your average wool sweater, with its close-knit threads working to keep you super-insulated and comfortable. Cashmere not only feels good but looks incredible, its silky smooth texture adding a healthy dose of class to any outfit. Cashmere generally costs more than a regular wool sweater, but its fine quality makes it an investment you’ll value for a long time to come. Even so, taking good care of your cashmere is the key to keeping it in your wardrobe rotation for as long as possible, so it’s important to know how best to keep it at its best. Here’s our guide to wearing a men's cashmere sweater.
Find the Style That Suits You
Cashmere is the kind of material you’ll want to wear all the time, so it’s important that you find a style that you feel good in. There are many different styles and cuts of men’s cashmere sweaters, so it’s all about figuring out what works best for you. A good go-to is the classic cashmere V-neck sweater, with its casual but sophisticated silhouette and flattering neckline. Perfect to wear over a men's t-shirt or collared men's button-down shirt, the men’s V-neck cashmere sweater allows you to offer a peek at whatever you’re wearing underneath, showing off the ways you layer with style. Or perhaps you’d like to try another classic, the crewneck cashmere sweater, with its simple neckline that goes with just about everything. While these two varieties are timeless and versatile, some like to mix it up a bit, trying a less traditional sweater style, like a zip-up cashmere hoodie or a collared button-down/polo-style cashmere sweater. Think about what kinds of styles you like to wear and if you’d like to stay along these lines or switch it up for your cashmere look.
Color Me Cashmere
When it comes to choosing a color for your cashmere, there are endless options. Generally, people tend to pick neutral colors like black, beige, or more muted colors like forest green and burgundy. These are likely popular choices because people are looking to be able to wear their cashmere sweater with a wide variety of pants and outer layers and because they want a color that they won’t easily get sick of. Choosing a color that you love is a good idea, but there’s no reason not to experiment a bit as well. Choosing a bolder color or one that you don’t usually wear can be a great way to break out of your comfort zone.
Wear and Re-Wear
Cashmere is a material that you can wear over and over again without having to wash it every time. Simply air out your sweater a bit after wearing it by laying it out in a ventilated room before folding it and putting it back in your closet or drawer. The great thing about a cashmere sweater is that it’s the kind of item you can wear day in and day out, as a layer to put on to bundle under your men's coat before you go out, or as your main look for the day. Cashmere can be perfect for an event or occasion or to wear at the office—it instantly upgrades any look with its refined material and sleek appearance. It’s also the ideal material to wear for a cozy day at home or after a long day of skiing. There’s no limit to where and when you can wear cashmere, so wear and re-wear it as much as you please.
Take Care
While cashmere sweaters do not need to be washed after each wear, when you do decide that it’s time to clean your sweater, there are some guidelines to follow to ensure that you keep your cashmere looking and feeling its best. First of all, it’s best to dry clean or hand-wash your cashmere to ensure that it’s not damaged in the washing machine. If you do decide to wash it, be sure to use your washing machine’s gentlest cycle and put it in a garment bag. It’s also a good idea to put towels or other items in with the sweater to keep it padded. To hand-wash, fill your sink or a bowl/bucket with cold water and some baby shampoo or Woolite (or other delicate washing liquid). Soak the sweater for 20 minutes or so before rinsing it out and gently squeezing it dry. Hang your cashmere flat to dry to make sure it keeps its shape. Store properly once it’s dry by folding carefully and keeping somewhere protected.
The cashmere sweater is one of the most versatile clothing items a man can own. It’s all about putting care into the decision to buy one and into keeping it in good condition once you purchase it. Check out the links below for more tips and tricks from Lands’ End.