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What is Cashmere? Discover Luxury and Comfort

What is Cashmere? Discover Luxury and Comfort

Cashmere is a luxury type of wool that features prominently in the collections of Backbone, both in winter and in summer. It's important to understand what cashmere is and why it is more expensive than sheep's wool.

Where does cashmere come from?

Cashmere is also known in Dutch as "kasjmier".

The name "cashmere" comes from the Kashmiri goat. This goat is not native to the Netherlands — you certainly won't find it on our petting farms. So where can this goat be found?

The original home of the cashmere goat is a vast region spanning China, Pakistan and India, known as Kashmir. Today, these goats can also be found regularly in Mongolia, Iran, Tibet and Iraq.
They also inhabit the Himalayan mountain range at altitudes of up to 5,000 metres.

As large as this region is, it is still too small to supply the entire world with cashmere. As a result, herds are now also kept in New Zealand, Australia and Scotland. Cashmere production also takes place in countries such as China, Iran, Central Asia and Mongolia. Cashmere goats are relatively unknown and are kept primarily in the countries mentioned above by local farmers who earn their living from selling cashmere wool.

What is cashmere used for?

We now know a little more about the origins of this type of wool and the goat it comes from. When we look at the production process, we see that not all of the wool is usable — which significantly reduces the amount of usable wool per goat. Traditionally, the fibre is harvested from beneath the coat, where the most supple and soft fibre is found, and is combed out by hand. Today, more modern techniques such as shearing are also used to remove the coarser fibres. Once the fibres have been sorted and washed, they are ready to be spun into yarn.

The cashmere goat is kept primarily for its cashmere — one of the most expensive types of wool in the world. The cashmere goat is resistant to extreme cold, thanks to its unusually fine undercoat: the cashmere. When the cashmere goat sheds its coat, this special undercoat is separated from the rest of the fleece and sold as cashmere. The undercoat can only be harvested once a year. For the best quality, it is essential that the undercoat is removed at the right time and in the right way. When done correctly, this yields the finest quality cashmere. Each goat produces only 150 grams of cashmere per season, making it an exceptionally rare and precious product.

The benefits of cashmere

Cashmere is extremely soft and warm, thanks to its naturally short fibres — measuring less than 18 microns. Because the fibres don't stand straight up but instead curl around each other, they won't cause itching on your skin. How wonderful is that?!

Cashmere is also a natural fibre, which makes it a sustainable type of wool that lasts for years and has a self-cleaning ability. In principle, cashmere doesn't need to be washed. Simply hanging it outside occasionally — not in the rain! — and letting it air is enough.

Depending on its thickness, high-quality cashmere can be up to 8 times warmer than regular sheep's wool. Products made from pure cashmere offer excellent insulation and are naturally breathable, making them a pleasure to wear. Thinner cashmere products are also wonderfully comfortable to wear in spring and autumn.

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Cashmere Scarf in Summer
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Cashmere Scarf in Summer
Four ways to wear your cashmere scarf in summer 1. Wonderfully wrapped:cashmere as a wrap Summer! As soon as the sun is in the sky, we celebrate everything there is to celebrate: outdoors!Picnicking with the kids, barbecuing in the garden, or dancing at a beach party.Unfortunately, as the evening sets in, not only does the sun go down — so does the temperature.Perfect for this is the large cashmere scarf, a generous two metres long and seventy centimetres wide, which you can wrap yourself in completely during those late-night hours.  Cashmere is insulating, making your wrap feel as though it has magical powers.Drape your scarf over your shoulders or across your legs in time. This way you keep the warmth of the sun's rays captured for hours. Because the large cashmere scarf is still lightweight, it's ideal to take on holiday. Choose one in a cheerful, vibrant colour and blend right into Mediterranean or tropical vibes. How stunning is the Blushing Pink ? Recommended as a wrap: large cashmere scarf 200 x 70 cm  2. The elegant cashmere stole Are you wearing a sleeveless or strapless dress to a ceremony or formal occasion? As feminine as it is, at formal gatherings or in a church it's more appropriate to cover your shoulders. It's a truly classy choice to use a scarf from the featherlight collection as a stole. These have no fringe at the ends and the fabric is slightly sheer: sexy and festive! The delicate fabric drapes elegantly around your shoulders. For weddings, pastel shades such as featherlight nude, featherlight brown or featherlight terra are favourites. THE biggest benefit for you: with a cashmere stole you'll never be shivering or sweating. Even if that romantic castle turns out to be a touch too chilly, you'll keep smiling radiantly. Tuck your stole away safely during the reception that follows. Tip: use the dustbag, which we include free with your order, as a protective (inner) bag. Trust us — you'll thank yourself forever for it, if someone next to you — just to name something — knocks over a glass of red wine… Recommended as a summer cashmere stole: featherlight collection 230 x 100 cm 3. Cashmere on your head Yes indeed, in summer we happily wear wool on our heads. It protects your head and hair from the blazing sun, from blowing dust and sand. Too warm? On the contrary! Cashmere wool breathes. The fine fibres wick away moisture, keeping your head feeling cool. Those same fibres are also absorbent. So wear your cashmere scarf as a bandana, loosely around your head with a simple knot at the back. Let the ends flutter playfully down your back, together with your loose hair. Do you prefer to put your hair up, or do you have short hair? Then you might be the 'turban type'. Here you tie the ends of the scarf at the front and tuck the loose ends away creatively. Did you know that among devoted turban wearers, quite a bit of cheating goes on with a volumizer cap? It makes it look as though you have an enormous head of hair hidden under your scarf… Cashmere is a favourite among Muslim women who wear headscarves. Optionally combined with an undercap, the sheer featherlight scarves create an enchanting, Ibiza-like effect. Always keep in mind: however strong and long the cashmere fibres are, too much fiddling won't do your scarf any favours. And pins in your scarf are definitely not our thing. Instead, use clothing magnets. Click, and your creation is complete!  Recommended as a bandana or turban: small cashmere scarf 180 x 30 cmRecommended as a headscarf: featherlight collection 230 x 100 cm 4. Layering is living — cashmere scarf becomes a poncho Honestly, many Dutch summer days are rather unpredictable. One moment there's a splash of rain, the next a cloud drifts in front of the sun… We call those 'layering days'. In the morning the cashmere scarf works as a summer poncho so you don't arrive at your destination shivering on your bike. If you're having lunch outside in your crop top in the afternoon, you can transform your cashmere scarf into a matching bandana top in no time. How does that work in terms of colours? We prefer tone on tone. This means every item you wear has the same colour tone, even if the exact shade differs slightly. We often spot Queen Máxima doing the same. If you go for light tones, combine them with the large cashmere scarf in pearl white or silk/cashmere ivory. This gives you a summery layered look with ultimate comfort. How lovely that your cashmere scarf, floating loosely over your top, creates a polished look at the office. That extra layer is also ideal when the air conditioning is a touch too cold. Is it five o'clock? Then head straight to the terrace and tuck your scarf away (in that handy dustbag, of course) in your bag. Because the material is so thin, it takes up far less space than, say, a summer jacket. Recommended as a poncho: silk/cashmere collection 193 x 66 cm and large cashmere scarf 200 x 70 cm
Cashmere Scarves in Summer: Luxury and Comfort in the Heat
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Cashmere Scarves in Summer: Luxury and Comfort in the Heat
Do you automatically think of winter when you think of cashmere? You don't have to! Cashmere scarves can also be a wonderful addition to your wardrobe in summer. Here are a few reasons why and how you can wear a cashmere scarf in summer to combine both style and comfort.
Washing Cashmere: Do or Don't?
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Washing Cashmere: Do or Don't?
Have you ever seen a sheep or a goat washing itself with shampoo? The very idea! It's rather amusing that humans are the only 'animals' that use soap products. We've become so accustomed to it that we only consider something clean if a cleaning product has been involved. We'd like to gently change that idea: the very best thing for your cashmere scarf is not to wash it. Not with water, not with soap — ideally not at all! Cashmere is a natural product. The goat hair is naturally resistant to grease and water.