Cashmere and merino are luxurious yarns, and often make a popular choice for knitwear due to the quality and traits of the fibres. Renowned for their insulating properties, both cashmere and merino wool garments provide sumptuous warmth with a lightweight feel. In addition, both feel incredibly soft against the skin, and these are just some of the reasons why they make a fantastic choice for everyday clothing.

Although premium wool products such as cashmere and merino have several shared properties, they also have several differences, which are essential to consider when choosing which luxurious material to go for.

This guide will look at the differences between cashmere and merino, where they come from, and focus on their different properties and care requirements. By exploring these, we will highlight the key benefits of each of the fibres, so that you can choose the best wool for you.

What is Cashmere?

Cashmere comes from the downy undercoat of a cashmere goat. During the spring moulting season, farmers will comb this fleece, which is then separated to ensure only the high-quality cashmere fibres are used, to be cleaned and spun. Here at the Cashmere Centre, all our cashmere is the finest grade from Mongolia. Our luxurious cashmere garments are then produced by our factory in Nepal.

Cashmere wool is renowned for its exceptional softness, and this comes from the quality of the fibres that are used. Cashmere fibres are finer and lighter than traditional sheep's wool, which gives cashmere clothing that ultimate smooth and soft feel against the skin.

Cashmere is considered a high-end, luxurious material due to the time and care it takes to obtain the wool. The combing process is meticulous, in order to separate the super soft cashmere strands from the coarser outer hairs of the cashmere goat. Also, the unparalleled softness and excellent insulation it provides make it far superior in quality and feel compared to many other materials. Cashmere is hypoallergenic, so it can be enjoyed even by those with sensitive skin.

What is Merino Wool?

Merino wool comes from the fleece of merino sheep, commonly found in Australia and New Zealand. Just like cashmere, merino wool differs greatly from normal sheep's wool. This is due to how fine the strands are, making for an incredibly comfortable and lightweight feel.

Merino has several impressive properties that make it such a sought-after wool. The longer fibre strands make this such a durable material, without compromising the comfort. The temperature-regulating properties of merino wool allow for breathability, whilst also providing luxurious warmth. Merino is also naturally moisture-wicking, meaning it keeps any sweat on your sweater's surface so it can evaporate.

Cashmere vs Merino: Key Differences

While merino wool and cashmere both have a softer feeling than regular sheep's wool or many other fibres, cashmere is undoubtedly the softest wool. Due to the fineness of the cashmere fibres, this leaves an unparalleled silky softness on the skin, while remaining lightweight.

Similarly, although merino wool clothing is incredibly warm, cashmere is unquestionably warmer than merino wool. While merino provides help with temperature regulation, this does mean that it doesn't maintain body heat the way that a cashmere sweater does. Although our customers enjoy our products all year round, the luxurious warmth and insulating properties that cashmere provides makes it ideal for a winter wardrobe.

Due to its moisture-wicking abilities, merino wool is generally considered to be more breathable than cashmere. One of the reasons that merino is so popular is that it can be worn in warm or cold weather. Nevertheless, the lightweight feel of cashmere means it is also incredibly breathable, so it can also be worn in warm weather.

Again, both of these fibres are far more durable than regular wool clothing, but the long strands of merino make it especially robust, which is why it is a popular choice for outdoor wear. Still, both of these are dependable, luxurious fibres, and as such should last you for years to come.

The care and maintenance requirements of cashmere vs merino are actually very similar. We recommend hand washing in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent for both of these fibres. These should then be laid flat to dry, away from direct heat and sunlight. While some people may advise that you can put both of these on a gentle cycle in the washing machine, we recommend you avoid this at all costs. If you need any more information on washing and caring for your cashmere, why not check out our care guide, and make sure you have a browse of our cashmere care products too.

The pricing for cashmere vs merino can vary considerably, depending on the quality of the yarn used. In general, cashmere is the most expensive wool for one main reason: its scarcity. A cashmere goat can only be combed once a year, and to make a single one of our cashmere scarves takes the fleece from 3 goats. The combing process is also a time-consuming and painstaking job, to ensure that all the soft fibres are collected from the underfleece. All of these factors contribute to make it such a luxurious, sought after fibre. In contrast, merino sheep produce far more wool each year, and so it is more widely available. At the Cashmere Centre, we only use the finest grade A cashmere. Once you feel its softness and quality for yourself, it's easy to understand why it is considered such a luxurious material.

The texture of cashmere clothing is unparalleled. The silky soft and lightweight feel means that it drapes beautifully on the body. Merino is still soft, but the more structured texture gives it a slightly fitted look.

Which One is Right for You?

If you are looking for high-quality sweaters to invest in that will last for years, then cashmere would be the best fibre to go for.

When taking all of the factors that have been discussed into consideration, the choice between cashmere vs merino largely comes down to personal preference. To get the most out of your purchase, it's important to consider lifestyle factors, such as whether you are looking for something more durable with temperature regulation or something more comfortable and warm.

Why Invest in Premium Cashmere?

Cashmere is a timeless wardrobe investment and, when cared for properly, it should last for years and get softer with age. Some of our customers have had our pieces for over 20 years, which is such a testament to the lasting power of our products.

So many people love to wear cashmere daily, due to its silky feel and unbeatable comfort. With our premium cashmere pieces, you can find pieces that exude sophistication and style while also providing the ultimate comfort.

While fast fashion has largely become the norm nowadays, here at the Cashmere Centre, we value sustainability and the long-term value of clothing. Our knitwear is well-crafted and offers exceptional quality, and so it should last for years rather than just a season. As such, our garments offer you better long-term value as you can fill your wardrobe with long-lasting staple pieces.

Explore Our Luxury Cashmere Collection

Here at the Cashmere Centre, we only use the highest quality Mongolian cashmere. As such, our pieces are investment pieces, lasting years rather than months as so many other cheaper fibres do. We truly believe our products are unlike any other cashmere or sheep's wool clothing, and consider ourselves to be the cashmere experts. Each piece we create is meticulously designed and lovingly made into a garment we know our customers will love.

Women's knitwear can be found here.

Mens knitwear can be found here.

Check out our Capsule Collection here.

If you want to browse our extensive range of cashmere accessories, have a look here.