How to invest in the perfect cashmere sweater to keep you warm for winters to come

Now that we’re deep into winter, you may be thinking about splurging on a cashmere sweater. A type of wool, cashmere is soft, lightweight and naturally insulating – meaning that garments made with the yarn can keep you warm without adding bulk.

But it’s also a rare fibre, so a high-quality, 100-per-cent cashmere knit will be an investment buy.

“They only get cashmere from the goats one time a year in the spring,” says Joy Walker, a professor at George Brown College who teaches fabric science. She said the amount of cashmere produced per goat is limited, and a lot of fibre is needed to create a sweater, cardigan or even a scarf. Lower-priced cashmere options do exist, but they may be thinner and – because they are made with shorter, lower-quality fibres – more prone to stretching out and having pilling issues, says Walker.

A great cashmere sweater, when it’s well-taken care of, can be worn for decades. “The longest, finest fibres are the most rare. And when they’re spun with intention and they’re knit in the correct way, you get a sweater that not only feels luxurious, but it will truly last,” says Bari Shore, vice-president of product at knitwear label White & Warren.

When you’re shopping in person, you’ll also want to note both the hand-feel and density of the sweater. “A two-ply cashmere will have more density to it, so it’ll just have more substantial depth when you touch it,” says Shore. Compared with a single-ply style, it “is going to be more stable and it’s going to last longer.”

Walker suggests running your hand across the fabric to see if any lint balls form, and stretching the garment lightly from the sides to see how well it springs back into shape – an easy way to check for stability.

Another thing to look for are any fashioning details or decorative marks around the armhole, notes Shore. “There’s something called linking, which is how the seams are connected,” she says. “A better sweater will be hand-linked versus cut and sewn. With the latter, you may see stitching or serging done with thread at the seams.”

Six buys to try

100-per-cent cashmere options you’ll want to wear every day this winter.

In the men’s section

COS chunky cashmere jumper

Available in five timeless colours, this cozy knit is made with Good Cashmere Standard yarn, which signifies that the producers and farms involved follow certain sustainability and animal welfare criteria.