The cashmere care guide that extends seasons into years

Cashmere rewards patience with longevity. Closed’s approach to knitwear begins with the fibre itself: the house sources a cashmere grade less prone to pilling than standard alternatives, though the delicate bobbles that emerge on any animal fibre are simply the nature of the material. Camilla Roitzsch, Senior Designer and Knitwear Specialist, walks through the precise discipline that transforms casual wearing into garment stewardship.

Pilling, when it occurs, should be addressed before washing. A fabric shaver, used gently, removes the surface bobbles without damaging the knit itself. The washing ritual follows particular rules. Machine washing on a wool cycle at cold temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius works for most pieces, with one exception: brushed cashmere demands dry cleaning only, as the brushed finish requires different handling.

The detergent matters profoundly. Wool detergent is essential; regular laundry soap felts wool almost instantly, transforming the soft fibres into a matted, unusable texture. A small trick amplifies the results: a shot of white vinegar in the softener compartment closes the fibres, reducing future pilling. Washing once or twice a season, plus once before storage, preserves the cashmere without depleting its resilience through excessive laundering.

Storage demands protection against moths. Sealed plastic bags keep the knits safe through warmer months. When the season returns, steam without pressing the iron directly onto the knit restores the softness that storage naturally diminishes. These small disciplines, observed season after season, allow a single cashmere piece to remain as supple and refined in its fifth winter as it was in its first.

Imagery courtesy of Closed (@closedofficial).