Closet Care
Cashmere Sweater
YES, A QUALITY SWEATER CAN BE EXPENSIVE—BUT WITH OUR EXPERTS’ INSIGHTS,
YOU CAN KEEP YOURS COZY THROUGH COUNTLESS WINTERS.
By Mary Honkus
How to Buy
BE PRICE SAVVY. Cashmere is
priced based on weight. A heavier,
better-quality sweater will run
you about $250. A lighter, more
basic one will cost about $150.
OPT FOR A BLEND. Blends aren’t
quite as soft as 100 percent cash-
mere, but they’re slightly less
expensive and often last longer.
CONSIDER COLOR. A sweater
in a lighter color, like ivory, tends
to feel softer than a darker one,
since the yarn wasn’t exposed
to as many dyes.
How to Care
WASH BY HAND. Cashmere
is delicate, and handwashing
helps prevent damage. Mix a
mild detergent or a baby sham-
poo with cool or lukewarm water,
and let your sweater soak for
about five minutes before rinsing.
Lay it flat on a towel to dry.
Don’t wring it out—that can
cause fibers to stretch. Steam
the sweater between washes
so it stays looking fresh.
FOLD. Hangers can stretch
out the shoulders; it’s better to
fold your sweater and keep it
in a drawer.
STORE BETWEEN SEASONS.
During the off season, put cash-
mere in an airtight container
with cedar chips. The wood will
help ward off moths and prevent
mustiness.
How to Repair
SEW UP HOLES. If moths
manage to get to your sweater,
turn it inside out and loosely
sew the holes closed.
REVERSE STRETCH.
Gently wash the sweater, then
reshape it to the size you
want—it will retain the new
dimensions when it dries.
RINSE STAINS. Most marks
should disappear if you blot
the spot with baby shampoo,
rinse it in cold water, and lay
the sweater flat to dry.
OUR EXPERTS
KIMBERLY CONRAD,
FOUNDER OF FILORO
LESLIE GIFFORD,
PRESIDENT AND CREATIVE
DIRECTOR OF
NAKEDCASHMERE
MATT SCANLAN,
COFOUNDER AND CEO OF
NAADAM
TO BUY: Cashmere
Ribbed Turtleneck, $195;
naadam.co.
Photograph by Brian Henn
THE REALIST
64 REAL SIMPLE NOVEMBER 2019
