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Cashmere and lambswool are natural luxury fibres, renowned for their softness, making them ideal for knitwear. These fabrics are often compared due to their shared properties, such as their incredible warmth, lightweight feel and breathability, making them staples on the clothing market.
What is Cashmere?
Produced using the fine fibres from cashmere goats, cashmere originated from the Kashmir region of India, but nowadays the top producers are primarily in China and Mongolia. These goats live in high altitudes where the winter months can get extremely cold, so they develop two coats for insulation - the coarse outer coat and soft undercoat, which is used to create cashmere garments. During the spring moulting season, farmers will comb this cashmere goat 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, and our factory in Nepal then produces our luxurious cashmere garments.
Renowned for their softness and lightweight feeling, the incredibly fine strands give cashmere sweaters a luxurious feel and excellent insulation that many seek. Fibres are usually measured in microns, and the lower the count, the softer and more luxurious they feel. For example, alpaca wool is a luxury fibre that measures 18-30 microns, while cashmere only measures 15-19 microns, giving it a delicate, silky, and soft feel.
Cashmere's status as a luxury fabric began centuries ago, and through the years, the demand for cashmere wool rapidly grew, as it is still a much sought-after fibre today. This popularity is partly due to its scarcity - each cashmere goat only produces a small amount per year. It is also highly prized due to its characteristics, primarily its super soft feel and the ultimate warmth it provides.
What is Lambswool?
Lambswool is the sheared fleece from a young sheep, usually 7 months old or younger, and this is typically their first shearing. Compared to regular wool, lambswool is softer and more durable. It is also more elastic, able to mould to the body with added strength.
Lambswool is very similar to merino wool in several ways. They are both incredibly soft and breathable and can help regulate temperature. Both fabrics contain lanolin, which has antibacterial properties and helps to prevent body odour, but can irritate the skin. One of the differences between merino and lambswool is that merino sheep and angora goats, the producers of merino wool, can be sheared at any point in their lives, not just when they are babies. Also, the micron count on merino wool is around 18-24, so it would be considered an incredibly soft fibre. This figure can vary with lambswool as it does not come from a specific breed of sheep, meaning the quality and softness can differ across each garment.
Lambswool vs Cashmere: Key Differences
Lambswool and cashmere have many properties in common, but also several key differences. While both are considered soft wool, cashmere is undoubtedly the softest, whereas lambswool is slightly coarser. This is down to the fineness of the fibres. Thinner than even human hair, cashmere has a smooth, incredibly soft feeling unlike anything else on the market.
In terms of warmth, nothing quite compares to cashmere. The fine fibres trap in air, giving it superior insulating properties while remaining lightweight. Cashmere is eight times warmer than merino wool and three times more insulating than sheep's wool, providing extra warmth without weight compared to lambswool.
One of the similarities between cashmere and lambswool is their breathability and moisture-wicking abilities, although they do this in different ways. Lambswool is well known for its moisture-wicking properties- the crimping in the wool fibres creates air pockets which trap heat and insulate, while the lanolin repels moisture and keeps the wool sweaters dry. Cashmere is incredibly breathable, as the fine fibres allow air to circulate around the body. Cashmere also has moisture-wicking abilities, as it absorbs the moisture from the air and body, and then releases it.
When it comes to durability, both wools will last for a long time when cared for properly, and so in some ways are very durable. However, as cashmere is a finer fibre, it is more delicate and therefore susceptible to wear and tear, requiring extra care to retain its softness and shape, whereas lambswool is more hard-wearing.
As for care and maintenance, cashmere and lambswool are very similar. Neither material should ever be machine-washed as this can shrink and damage the wool. Instead, hand washing is always recommended using lukewarm or cold water and a mild detergent. Once the garment has been washed and rinsed, it should be laid flat on a towel to remove excess water, and neither material should be wrung or twisted as this can damage their shape.
Price-wise, cashmere is generally more expensive, and this is due to its scarcity, superior quality, and the fineness of the fibres. Lambswool is far easier to produce and is a more abundant raw material, making it cheaper to make and sell. Producing cashmere is a longer, painstaking process to ensure the quality is correct, which also factors into the price tag.
With these similarities and differences in mind, it can be difficult to determine which material is better for clothing and accessories, as they both have advantages and disadvantages. Both make extremely soft, quality knitwear, so it largely depends on personal preference. Cashmere offers exceptional softness and high levels of warmth for the weight. Lambswool does not match cashmere in these areas but is more durable.
Is Lambswool Warmer Than Cashmere?
Cashmere is warmer than lambswool, and this is due to the fineness of the fibres, which trap heat, providing insulation without the added weight. Lambswool is still a good option for cold weather, as the natural crimp in the fibres creates air pockets which trap heat and insulate, but nothing does the job quite like cashmere.
Cashmere is an incredibly unique material as it can be worn in the spring, summer, and winter. One of the main reasons cashmere is ideal for warm and cold weather is because of how breathable and lightweight it is, allowing air to ventilate around the body and insulate. This means your cashmere t-shirt or vest will keep you cool in the summer, and can be used as a base layer in the winter to get regular wear out of your garments all year round. This also makes it ideal for layering, as the warmth-to-weight ratio allows you to layer several cashmere pieces to provide the ultimate warmth without feeling overly heavy.
Which One is Right for You?
If luxurious softness and unparalleled warmth are your priorities, cashmere may be the material for you over lambswool. Best suited for indoor wear to protect the delicate fibres, cashmere is ideal if you are looking for a year-round wardrobe staple.
On the other hand, lambswool might be better if you are looking for a more resilient, affordable fibre. The durability means it is more suited for certain occasions, such as outdoor wear. While lambswool still offers warmth and comfort, this is not to the same extent as cashmere.
Ultimately, the decision between the fibres comes down to your lifestyle and personal preferences.
Why Invest in High-Quality Cashmere?
Premium cashmere offers superior softness, warmth and longevity due to the quality of the fibres and the expert craftsmanship that produces such sensational, one-of-a-kind pieces. After combing the cashmere goats, the fibres are meticulously sorted so that only the purest, best quality fibres are chosen. Cheaper retailers often do not take such care, producing lower quality knitwear and accessories that do not have the softness and warmth, or last as long.
It is worth investing in high-quality cashmere vs lambswool due to the superior softness and warmth it provides and the timeless elegance cashmere has become so well known for. Cashmere lasts for years and improves with age, justifying the price of such a premium product.
When choosing premium cashmere products, there are a few key features to look out for. Firstly, the origin of the cashmere is important to consider as this can affect the quality. Mongolian goats are known for producing the best variety due to the freezing temperatures they live in, but some people also like to choose Scottish cashmere. It is also important to check the cashmere percentage, as some retailers will blend it with another wool, affecting the feel and quality. As well as this, you may want to consider the retailer you are buying from. While some bigger brands may feel like a safe option, they often mass produce their clothing, using lower-quality cashmere to meet this demand.
Explore Our Luxury Cashmere Collection
To browse our luxury cashmere knitwear, see below:
From a super soft cashmere scarf to everyday essentials such as socks and gloves, check out our extensive range of cashmere accessories here!
We have everything you need to properly care for your garments, from cashmere shampoo to cedar and storage products. Browse our range of care products here.
Our cashmere range stands out from lambswool and regular sheep's wool products, as we truly are the best you can get - our cashmere provides unsurpassed softness and warmth that you won't find anywhere else.
Investing in high-quality cashmere enhances your comfort, as only the softest, finest fibres are used. Here at the Cashmere Centre, we produce unique, one-of-a-kind garments made in the tens rather than the thousands. They are the perfect way to take your style to the next level - you won't find any mass production here!