Cashmere sweaters and other fashion items made from cashmere have long been worn as high fashion and designer items. The cashmere material comes from the fiber of the goat which is dropped during the molting period. Cashmere is lightweight and feels silky on the skin. Because of its rarity, cashmere has long been associated with luxury and luxury. In fact Napoleon is said to have gifted 17 shawls and cashmere wraps to his second wife, Empress Eugenie.
Before the 1920s, sweaters were worn by athletes or someone who wanted to stay warm, not as a fashion item. However, thanks to Scotland’s Palou, Chanel, Schiaparelli and Pringle, the cashmere sweater became a fashion statement during the 1920s and 1930s. In 1937, actress Lana Turner made the cashmere sweater a popular star in the movie “They Won’t Forget”. Little did Turner or the rest of the public know that he had started a trend that was enduring.
Inspired by Turner’s fashion statements, Claire Potter, an American designer, began adding embellished cashmere evening sweaters to her fashion collections in the 1940s. Following the trend, Mainbocher later adopted British cashmere cardigan sweaters as evening wear by adding decorations to them, such as beading. bead. , sequins, fabric trim and metal buttons. The embellished sweater trend then continued into the 1960s.
Cashmere sweaters grew in popularity in the 1950’s with their twin sets. The twin set consists of a short sleeve or sleeveless pullover sweater and a matching cashmere cardigan. Many include a jeweled neckline and matching trim. It became an essential staple of college wardrobes for American women during that decade and part of the next. Twin sets and other styles designer cashmere sweaters come in solid colors as well as prints such as flowers, butterfly, and Argyles. Three-quarter length sleeves were also very popular during this time.
Since the invention of the cashmere sweater, many different manufacturers have dabbled in this old, fashion forward trend. Many picky consumers look for cashmere sweaters made in Scotland in factories such as Pringle, Ballentyne, Braemar and Lyle Scott. It is said that the water in Scotland makes the cashmere fibers softer. Hong Kong was also the largest producer of cashmere, especially during the late 1950s and 1960s. Popular American labels include Dalton and Hadley.
Halston was a coveted sweater designer during the 1970s, as was Schiaparelli during the 1950s and 1960s. Some of the most sought-after and collectible cashmere sweaters currently are designed and decorated by Helen Bond Carruthers, Pat Baldwin, and Edith Salzmann.
To choose a cashmere sweater, there are several tips that can be followed. A quality sweater should feel heavy, even if it’s designed to be light. Always make sure there is a smooth surface on your sweater. Build-up can occur when your sweater rubs against rough clothing, metal accessories, bags, seat belts, and other belts. Cover any surfaces that will be next to your cashmere garment with a silk or synthetic fiber scarf. The more often clothes are washed, the faster they wear out. Many people mistakenly believe that this sweater must be dry cleaned, this only happens if there are stains on it.
This article was contributed by Rawanda Sheppard.
