Is Cashmere Itchy? Our Guide to the Best Cashmere

When you’re in the market for a luxury sweater, the last thing you want is for your newest purchase to leave your skin irritated. If you’re looking for a new purchase and wondering ‘is cashmere itchy?!’ then you’ve come to the right place.

The short answer is that genuine, high-quality cashmere should never be itchy. In fact, it's one of the softest natural fibres in the world. However, not all cashmere is created equal, and understanding what makes cashmere truly luxurious can help you avoid disappointment and ensure you're getting the comfort you're paying for.

In our guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about cashmere and how to identify authentic, premium-quality pieces that will feel like a dream against your skin.

What is cashmere?

Cashmere is one of the most desirable natural fibres in the fashion world, renowned for its exceptional softness, warmth and lightweight feel. Unlike regular wool, which comes from sheep, cashmere has a more exclusive origin that contributes to both its premium price point and its superior quality.

The fibre gets its name from the Kashmir region, though today most cashmere comes from Mongolia, China, and parts of Central Asia.

Here at Brodie, our cashmere comes from the herdsmen, directly to us. That means no middlemen, giving us full control over quality. From processing, dyeing, spinning, and knitting, we prioritise quality over quantity, ensuring that our cashmere meets the highest standards.

What is cashmere made of?

So, what is cashmere made of exactly? Cashmere is made from the ultra-fine undercoat fibres that grow beneath the coarser outer hair of cashmere goats. These goats develop this incredibly soft undercoat as insulation against the harsh, cold winters of their mountain habitats, where temperatures can plummet to extreme lows.

Is cashmere itchy?

As we hinted at earlier, pure, high-quality cashmere should absolutely not be itchy. In fact, genuine cashmere is known for being one of the least irritating natural fibres, far softer and more comfortable than even the finest merino wool.

The reason cashmere feels so luxurious is due to its ultra-fine fibres. When fibres are thinner than about 24 microns, they're generally too fine to trigger the itch receptors in human skin.

Since premium cashmere fibres measure between 14-19 microns, they're well below this threshold, making them naturally non-irritating even for people with sensitive skin.

Having said this, there are certain factors that can cause itchiness in cashmere:

• Short fibres – lower quality cashmere is made of shorter fibres, which can cause irritation
• Loose weave – a loose weave will mean there’s more contact between the cashmere fibres and the skin, causing itchiness
• Not pure – if a product isn’t pure cashmere and is blended with a coarser wool or synthetic material, then this can cause itching

At Brodie, our cashmere uses Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, known for its long fibres, softness and durability, ensuring our cashmere jumpers won’t cause itching and can be worn over and over for years.

Can you wear cashmere on bare skin?

Absolutely! One of cashmere's greatest advantages is that you can comfortably wear it directly against bare skin without any irritation. This is in stark contrast to many wool sweaters, which often require an undershirt or layering piece to prevent itchiness and discomfort.

How can you tell if it’s real cashmere?

With cashmere's premium price tag, it's crucial to know how to identify authentic, quality pieces and avoid being misled. Here are the key indicators to look for:

Check the label carefully. Genuine cashmere should be labelled as ‘100% cashmere’ or list the exact percentage if it's a blend. Be wary of vague terms like ‘cashmere feel’ or ‘cashmere touch’, which typically indicate synthetic imitations.

Feel the texture. Authentic cashmere has a distinctive, buttery softness that's hard to mistake once you know what to look for. It should feel incredibly smooth and fine, with no hint of scratchiness. The fabric should also have a slight weight to it despite being lightweight.

Test the warmth. Hold the cashmere against your skin for a moment. Real cashmere will feel warm almost immediately because the fibres trap heat efficiently. Synthetic alternatives typically feel cooler to the touch and don't have the same insulating properties.

Examine the fibre length. As we have mentioned, quality cashmere is made from longer fibres (typically 32-38mm), which produce a smoother fabric with less pilling. Shorter fibres, while still technically cashmere, will pill more easily and wear out faster.

Look at the price. This isn't foolproof, but it's a reality check. Genuine cashmere is expensive to produce, and if a ‘cashmere’ sweater seems remarkably cheap, it's likely either a blend with minimal cashmere content or not cashmere at all. Expect to pay premium prices for authentic, quality pieces.

Inspect the construction. High-quality cashmere garments are typically well-constructed with attention to detail, including properly finished seams, neat stitching, and secure buttons or closures.

Best non-itchy cashmere?

We don’t think we’re biased when we say Brodie Cashmere is one of the best, non-itchy, luxury cashmeres on the market, with our products made with the finest Grade-A cashmere, featuring goat hair that is 20% longer than that found in other regions.

This additional length enables us to tightly twist the yarn during the combing process, enhancing its strength and durability. When we knit our garments, we are dedicated to delivering pieces of the highest quality, designed to stand the test of time while minimising issues like pilling and misshaping.

Our cashmere is also machine washable, so there’s no need to worry about having to hand wash or dry-clean your cashmere again!

But don’t just take our word for it, test it out for yourself!