If you say "cashmere" what words come into your mind? Soft, luxurious, cosy, expensive, winter, sweaters and jumpers may have popped up, but it is unlikely that words like summer, sun and vest tops did. This has more to do with traditional designs, styles and habits than the fabulous and unique qualities that products made from good quality cashmere have. In fact cashmere clothing should be an essential in any fashionable and stylish spring and summer wardrobe.
Cashmere is a bit of an oxymoron. Warm yet cool, soft although durable, classy and still on-trend, understated yet distinctive and so on. It is much loved because of such unique properties.
Think about the qualities of cashmere for a moment. A 2 ply cashmere garment is very light in weight whilst allowing the skin to breathe, and unusually keeps the body warm in the cold weather but importantly does not overheat it in warmer climates. It is also very practical to travel with it as does not crease easily and any creases that may appear from being squashed up when packed will quickly drop out. Quite importantly cashmere is gentle on the skin not just because it is soft, but because it rarely causes skin to itch. Even people with eczema and psoriasis seem to be able to wear cashmere where other wool types are definitely a no-no.
A light cashmere cardigan to slip on when a breeze is about or the afternoon sun has disappeared is just a delight. For a sportier look a sleeveless cashmere hoody over a t-shirt is perfect.
For those in-between days, that abound in spring time a full sleeved cashmere hoody can fit the bill very comfortably. Find a zip up version that can easily be done up or left open, or even removed if necessary then you'll be prepared for most eventualities.
A cashmere tank top, vest top or slipover works well for both men and women on those days when the weather is being typically British, going from cool to warm to cool again, in the space of a few hours. These can work well over a short sleeve top like a t shirt or a full sleeve shirt.
For sultry days or evenings out a lightweight sleeveless cashmere vest or halter neck top teamed with cropped trousers, a skirt or shorts will look and feel sublime.
Of course there are also stylish pashminas which drape beautifully around the shoulders and enhance any female's outfit. Pashminas are ideal to take on a cruising holiday and of course to any warm climate with the occasional nip in the air!
Whilst a jumper is not a desirable style of garment to be wearing in a warmer climate there are now many alternative styles of tops available in cashmere. Pop on a lightweight cashmere poncho over a cashmere and cotton blended t shirt when the temperature drops in the evening to make a stylish and elegant statement. You can also find ponchos blended with cashmere and silk and/or cotton that are delightful for summer climates.
Whatever the weather just choose your style and ensure you buy the best quality cashmere you can afford.
1. Your items last longer:
Perhaps the best reason of all is helping your clothes and towels etc. last much longer. If given the option why would you choose to do anything else. Whilst machine drying might make your clothes softer, it is also making them weaker. All that lint that is collecting in your dryer is bits of your clothing being milled away weakening the fabric. This leads to thinner fabrics which quickly develop an undesirable look that is hard to reverse. The high pressure environment of the tumble dryer can put stress marks and stains on the clothing from heavy items like zips and buttons. There is also more chance of it going horribly wrong, set the temperature too high and you can do irreversible damage through shrinkage.
2. It saves you money:
Few things in life remain free, but hopefully wherever you are the air is free, the sun is free and the wind is free. Make the most of these resources and put them to good work on your clothes. The average cost of running a tumble dryer in the UK is £85 a year. There is also the initial set up cost, a tumble dryer will cost hundreds of pounds, a clothes line however is a few well spent pounds.
3 It enhances natural fresh smells:
The fresh clean smell of the great outdoors can be a much more inviting smell than any artificial one found in a bottle. Yet again that fresh air is saving you money and helping your laundry.
4. It's better for the environment:
So as we've mentioned you're saving electricity, good. Next you're saving on chemicals, great. Use some of that natural wind energy to rustle your clothes dry. Or let the sun's solar energy gently warm up your laundry and get it all dry in no time. No need for added fabric softener here as nature is kindest to your clothes so they are simply not needed.
5. It's better for you:
There is definitely something to be said for hanging your clothes up yourself outside. That little bit of extra exercise, that moment longer spent outdoors all helps to improve your general state of health and happiness. You're also not adding an extra layer of chemicals to your clothing, which can cause irritation to some with allergies or sensitive skin.
Pro-tips:
Make sure you shake your clothes lose before you hang them. This help get rid of the creases and minimize wrinkles before ironing.
To avoid peg marks hang shirt from the hem.
Turn dark colour clothing inside out in bright sunlight to avoid the sun lightening the colour.
Bright breezy days are the best for line drying, so as long as its not raining the clothes will dry.
If you want help with the cleaning and live in Essex, you can use a premium home cleaning service like Maid My Home.
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Whether you are buying a birthday or Christmas present if the recipient has a passion for something, such as a sport, fitness, music, wine, cooking, fashion, art, technology, gardening, animals or whatever, this can give you a good starting point.
However just because someone enjoys fishing, for example, doesn’t mean you have to buy them something obvious like fishing tackle or a book on fishing – the chances are that they have the ones they need and what you choose may be superfluous to requirements, or just the wrong thing! Try to think creatively and consider things such as what they would wear to go fishing (practical, yet comfortable clothing for a variety of weathers, such as a lightweight cashmere slipover, hat, gloves or a scarf); how they get rid of that fishy smell from their hands once they’ve finished for the day, (some lovely individual hand wipes, an aromatherapy soap or a rich hand cream etc.); or maybe a fish based recipe book for times when their catch didn’t get away! You could buy a selection of these and create a wonderful themed gift. Make sure you display them nicely, and this is easiest to do using a lovely gift box.
Should you find yourself needing to buy a gift for a particularly rich, stylish or arty person you may feel a bit daunted as their style and taste may be quite different to yours. Selecting things outside of our comfort zone can be difficult unless we are told exactly what to buy! Look for artisan and craft gifts which are unusual but perhaps not too "out there"! Examples include artisan soaps and toiletries, sea salts and peppers, vinegar and oils, candles made with essential oils, decadent and rich chocolates, unusual confectionery, artisan alcohols like gin, vodka, whisky, beer, teas and coffees, plants such as succulents...
Maybe you’re looking for a get well gift for someone very special when flowers just aren’t enough, and everyone else has given them those. Choices to assist in relaxation and recuperation may include cashmere socks or slippers, a cashmere poncho to feel cossetted in, scented candles, body lotion, aroma play dough, bath oil or luxurious soaps, and something to make them smile like a book of jokes or a DVD by their favourite comedian or a fun film.
A celebratory gift for passing exams or similar could include the obvious Champagne or Belgian chocolates (for immediate celebration!) and perhaps something else as a longer lasting reminder. Ideas can be graded according to budget by using Cava as a cheaper alternative to Champagne, and Belgian chocolates can be replaced with a more modest but delicious treat, like some freshly made fudge. A university graduation present could include a photo frame as there will doubtless be many photos taken! Other ideas include a special champagne glass or beer mug, a piece of jewellery or a wallet (for all the money they will be earning!) Again be guided by what you know about the recipient.
A wedding anniversary gift is usually bought for big anniversaries like silver, gold, diamond etc.. The clue has already been given to you here but it doesn't mean you have to spend a shed load of money on actual silver, gold or diamonds - there are many ways to make reference without breaking the bank. Look for silver or gold coloured items. There are many diamond look alike stones decorating products like photo frames and trinket boxes.
Buying presents for children you do not know too well can be tricky, especially on a low budget. Much also depends on the age of the child as a two year old's needs and likes will not be the same as a child of six. If you need a present for a child having a birthday party you are more than likely to already have a child of a similar age so will know the types of "in things" that are popular, but you will probably not know what they already have. If you don't know the Mum or Dad so are just going along with guess work then trying to find something suitable can be hard. The key thing is to find something generic if you don't know enough to buy something specific. What do all children of that age need and use regularly? Hopefully they all wash, read, write, draw, wear socks, have a sense of humour, enjoy chocolate and so on. From these ideas you could select a range of inexpensive but nice items to make up your budget. So you could choose from a pencil with funny eraser, amusing pencil sharpener, crayons, paper, paints, notebook, sticky notes, reading book, small bubble bath, sponge, small item of chocolate, a current trending patterned pair of socks.
Whatever you select for your gift box, make sure it shows you have thought about your choices. Some people say it is the thought that counts - and it certainly starts with the thought but if your thoughts and expense are going to be worth anything then the gift needs to be fully appreciated
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The poncho has evolved now and comes in various guises. The material a poncho is made from will affect the drape. Traditionally ponchos have been knitted in wool but as the style has become more popular globally ponchos can be found in anything from cotton to luxuriously soft cashmere and many blended yarns.
These options mean the poncho is no longer confined to being worn in the winter as lightweight, shorter versions can be popped over a t-shirt or top, not for always for added warmth but often as a fashion statement. Ponchos can be worn as an alternative to a coat, jumper or cardigan, so they are extremely useful and versatile. So what sort of style and uses can a poncho have?
Everyday Style: Ponchos can be rather more interesting than a coat or mac. If you are doing the school run and haven't had time in the morning to sort your wardrobe out properly, a poncho popped on with a pair of jeans and a dab of lipstick will still have you looking stunning quickly and in a good way!
Whether you are just going to the local supermarket or going shopping in the city a well shaped poncho will have you looking and feeling great! If you are going out with friends for coffee or a pub lunch you can go out knowing you look fabulous. You can add a hat, gloves, neck warmer or scarf if the weather is chilly and if the weather is warm find a lightweight poncho, pop on top of your outfit and just add sunglasses!
Work Style: Arrive at work and meetings in a stylish poncho and look fashionable and savvy! If you travel a lot in the course of your work a poncho will be a wonderful blessing, keeping you warm and smart, yet so comfortable as you are in and out of seat belts, up and down escalators and stairs, in and out of planes, trains and taxis – whatever!
If you tend to wear dark colours for work a striking coloured poncho will be a good contrast – but of course keeping it business like. Whilst we love a bright pink for contrast, fun and impact if you are going to a serious meeting a silvery grey, blue, deep plum or purple may be a better choice.
Fashionable Style: We can all love and suit a poncho - it is just about finding the right one for your height and shape. Small people need a shorter length one, or quite high heels. Tall and long legged people can wear long versions with ease. The drape is important, so find one that has some movement and flow to get the most flattering look. A plain coloured, well cut poncho is a fail safe option of choice.
Embroidery or a pattern can add something interesting to your garment but make sure any patterning is not something you'll go off quickly especially if your poncho is expensive. Stripes and checks may look great on the poncho itself but could be less than flattering especially on smaller people, so take a selfie when you're trying it on and send it to someone you trust for an honest opinion. If you love a bit of faux fur then try adding a neck wrap to dress it up. Tassels may be all the rage now but may be out of vogue next year so consider these things.
Sophisticated Style: If you are wanting to look stylish for a trip to the theatre, a meal out etc. you can look and feel fabulous in the right poncho.
You can have one purely as outer wear and take it off on arrival, or find a suitable weight one to wear all evening. You can also select a poncho with an open front which can be easily removed if you get a little on the warm side!
The fabric will really determine how sophisticated you look and feel and super soft and lightweight cashmere has to be the fabric of choice to achieve this.
For cold weather you will need something to keep you warm. Wool will do this of course but remember the weight will be heavier than 100% pure cashmere. Also wool tends to pill and it is hard to remove these, whereas cashmere will pill (bobble) less but if it does get rubbed and pills need to be removed you can easily do this by hand and it will look like new again.
For summer style you can compromise by finding some blended options such as cotton and silk, cashmere with silk, and/or cotton, or merino wool in small amounts. If you find one with a low amount of cashmere (up to 15% for summer) this will enable the garment to have that added softness and touch of luxury that cashmere addicts hanker after.
Holiday Style: We all want to relax whatever type of holiday we are taking. Travelling to your final destination can often be tiring and stressful so having a lovely soft poncho to wear or even fold up and use as a neck rest/pillow is a must.
If you are out sight seeing or on a city break and it gets a little chilly a poncho is perfect to have with you.
Select your ponchos according to your needs, the weather and of course your budget. Try and have one made from good quality cashmere for winter. Owning a few ponchos makes sense as they offer practicality as well as helping you to feel and look stylish whilst getting on with your life.
If you are new to the general poncho style we suggest you go out with haste or get online and get shopping! Try several on and find your own poncho style to adore.
To find out more about artist Ali Hansen please visit her on:
and Instagram
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Everyone has a natural undertone to their skin colour. These are usually either neutral, warm or cool undertones. A helpful tip on determining your undertone is to place silver jewellery against your skin. If you look good with silver jewellery then you probably are of cool undertone; however if you look better with gold jewellery then you probably are of a warm undertone. Another trick is the vein test. In natural light, meaning either by the window or outside, make a fist and check to see what colour is shown on your inner wrist veins. If your veins tend more to the bluish side then you most likely have a cooler undertone, while green or yellowish tints are a sign of warm tones. If your veins are a mix of the above colours then you most likely are a neutral tone (lucky you).
Once you've figured out your undertone you may be confused as what to do next. Don't fret because the hard part is over, now you're ready to up your fashion style with wiser fashion choices. If you are of a warmer skin tone like that of an olive or golden skin tone it's best you stick to warmer colours. Red, terracotta, orange, gold, camel, yellow, mustards, dark browns are colours for you. It's not to say that you are banned from wearing any purplish, violet colours again for the rest of your life. Besides fashion is an art form, so you can express yourself.
Do not forget that make-up can help us all achieve the final result we want (men included here by the way!). So if a colour you are wanting to wear normally tends to make you look pale then use some blusher - but not too much! If you are wearing a red tone the opt for a peach blusher or for pinks and blues a pink blusher. And remember - each colour has a different shade to it. For example purple has many shades: it can be plum, lavender and magenta. Moving on to skin with cool skin tones; purples, blues, navy, greens and pinks will look absolutely stunning on you. So every now and then when you’re wearing your boring grey suit to work wishing you slept those extra 15 minutes instead of combing your hair, why not put a blue or pink top on just to add a splash of colour and start your week fresh?
Lastly, we have our lucky winners, our neutral tones – they have hit the fashion jackpot! People with neutral skin tones can usually wear whatever their heart desires. Always keep in mind, no matter what skin tone you may have, you are unique and beautiful. Wearing complementary colours will enhance this. Your skin will look luminous and radiant. You will look well rested, with brighter eyes and whiter teeth, your hair will appear multifaceted and reflect more highlights and overall you'll receive a lot more compliments! You could even treat yourself to that luxurious cashmere cardigan you’ve been longing for, now you understand what colours will set your skin tone off perfectly.
Colour has a role to play in helping to focus the attention on the top half of the body and by choosing to wear a light or bright colour as a top will help to achieve this. So if you are a pear shape don’t always select a black or navy top, make sure you try a soft toned light colour like cream, baby pink or blue or alternatively a vibrant bright colour like a red, turquoise or emerald, all according to your mood, occasion and skin-tone of course!
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ACTIVITIES
Whatever your age you want to look smart, elegant and fashionable at a social event so it is important to wear clothes that are correct for the occasion you are attending as it will help you feel at ease. Looking fashionable does not mean you have to wear the brightest trendy colour, the shortest length skirt, giant polka dots or whatever the latest fashion may be, it is about taking elements of fashion and finding something suitable for you.
It could be that the colour emerald green is on trend but although you like the colour a dress or shirt in this colour does not suit you. However you may be able to accessorise using that colour, or find a garment with only a small amount of that colour in the patterning. For a man a tie with this bold colour could work whereas a shirt may be too much. Women may find colourful jewellery easier to use for accessorising.
If you are attending a business meeting, make sure to purchase a formal suit, jacket or dress. Whilst these are unlikely to be major fashion statements, again you can add a fashionable colour to the outfit, without making it look like you have gone over the top. Sometimes less is more, and appears more sophisticated.
WEATHER
For chilly or rainy days layering is important to keep you warm and dry. You can choose vest tops, jumpers or cardigans made of lots of different fabrics, including cashmere for luxurious comfort when the temperatures start dropping.
When the weather gets hot and humid it is best to wear clothes that are light in colour to keep cool. Stick to whites and pastels to keep your temperature cool when it gets really hot. You can also opt for sleeveless tops to beat the heat, but be prepared to pair it up with a cardigan if the weather changes quickly.
So when you are out shopping, keep these tips in mind to guarantee you have the right clothing for a particular activity or season.
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Looking after your cashmere clothing is very easy, but it does need to be done! We recommend that you clean your cashmere a minimum of every 2-3 wearings especially when it is new. This will also help to prevent dirt from becoming ingrained and settling into cuff areas and so on. Do not worry that washing your cashmere will spoil it as quality cashmere like ours really does improve after each wash. Washing and steam ironing will help the cashmere yarn to "bloom".
We recommend that you hand wash our cashmere, as this saves any mistakes being made and we think that being such a special fabric it should be treated with loving care.
You should wash your cashmere garment with warm or cool water, using a good quality soap product like Woolite or even a mild organic shampoo. You can leave it to soak for a while rather than rubbing it. If there is a dirty patch gently apply extra detergent into the area and leave to soak for a few minutes before rinsing. Do not wring your cashmere garment; simply hand squeeze the excess water out. Lay the garment out on a large towel, then roll it up and twist. Remove your garment and leave to dry on a flat surface or on a fresh, dry towel until thoroughly dried. Once dry you can iron it – ensure the iron setting is not too hot – steam is best. If any pills or bobbles have formed this is a good time to remove them by hand. Do not be alarmed as pills are easy to remove. They will tend to form in areas that are rubbed or are tightly fitting.
Cashmere clothes can also be dry-cleaned.
You can machine wash an ILC top if you are careful to turn it inside out, put it on a low temperature wool wash, on its own with the appropriate detergent, and preferably no spin, although a light spin is acceptable. If your garment has a zip please ensure it is done up before starting. Do not tumble dry, just lay flat to dry.
By keeping it clean (dirty cashmere is very attractive to moths!) and removing any small pills immediately. Please do NOT use a pilling comb on one of our garments - any pilling can be easily removed by hand only. If you own a moulting pet then sticky tape or a sticky lint roller will help remove the hairs. Remember to wash often!
Cashmere should be neatly folded or a lightweight garment can be hung with a protective bag covering it. Try to avoid hanging heavy garments as you do not want them to go out of shape, and never hang by the neck tag!
Common sense should prevail when deciding what accessories to wear with your cashmere garment. If you wear a jumper over a belt with studs or a large buckle you should consider whether this may cause the fabric to rub into a hole.
Jewellery may be best put on after you have put on your cashmere, and taken off before you remove it. Contact with anything that has sharp or rough edges should be avoided when wearing your cashmere. The main thing to remember is that although cashmere is durable it is not indestructible!
If you damage your garment we strongly advise that you get small holes repaired before they become bigger. Most of I Love Cashmere's items come with some spare yarn which you should keep safe just in case.
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Why moths love cashmere
Not all species of moths love cashmere. In the United Kingdom, there are over 2,000 species of moths and only 2 species of them are known to like cashmere. They are namely the Tineola bis-selliella and the Tinea pellionella. It is the larvae not the moth that wants to nibble the cashmere. The larvae need a protein called keratin that is found in cashmere. Keratin can also be found in hair, skin, nails, wool and feathers.
Keratin eating moths have a life cycle of 65 to 90 days. As adults these nocturnal creatures have more than enough time to lay their eggs, ideally on items where they know that their larvae can feed themselves when the egg has hatched. Female moths can lay up to 40 to 50 eggs before passing away.
Once the egg hatches, the caterpillar spends another 10 days fattening itself as it feeds on whatever nutritious environment it finds itself in. In some cases this may be your beloved cashmere jumper! By the time you notice an adult moth flying around the caterpillar may have munched its way out of your cashmere.
How to protect your cashmere
It is unlikely that you will need to call in the local pest control officer as moths can be managed quite easily.
It is important to know that moths in general love remaining still in dark corners of your house like the wardrobe. So when you are doing the cleaning remember to vacuum inside your wardrobes once in a while and periodically remove the clothes and brush them down using a clothes brush. This also gives you a good excuse for a sort out of your old clothes! Storing in drawers may be better for cashmere items as most can easily be folded.
There are moth repellents that you can also use like cedar-wood and lavender but it is more important to create a situation where the moths just can't have access to the clothes and that is by keeping them in a garment bag.
Aside from that, should you buy second hand clothes, be sure to clean them before storing away.
There is one simple technique that is believed to always work. Just put any clothes that you suspect have the larvae in the freezer for a few days. The process of freezing kills all the eggs. Place the garment in a plastic bag first so it doesn't get stuck to other frozen things.
Cashmere should not be left for long intervals between wearing and washing, as this is when it becomes particularly attractive to moths. Wash regularly and be sure you do general house cleaning at regular intervals to make sure your rooms are not hosting any moths hidden somewhere.
Clothes made from quality cashmere, like those from I Love Cashmere are to be cherished, so take good care of them so you can enjoy yours for as long as possible.
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The truth of anyone’s size actually lies with the good old fashioned tape measure. So if you have a garment with a size 8 label but it measures 38 inches across the chest, you know that in reality the garment is not a true size 8. Which then raises the question, what is a size 8? Generally it can vary from a 30 -34 inch bust – but the reality may be something else again! The same scenario exists for all sizes in both women’s and men’s clothing.
However size is not all down to chest and hip inches, it is also down to limb length, body length and personal preference in terms of tightness. It is important to buy a garment that lies smoothly over your body, enhancing your best bits and not featuring your worst ones, which if it is too tight in places will surely happen.
As a brand I Love Cashmere tries its best to be as helpful as possible with regard to sizing. We understand that buying clothes in a shop is hard enough so selecting the correct size online can be quite daunting. Luckily cashmere is not like buying a tailored suit, as there is a little “give” in it. Our sizing guide states garment sizing parameters in inches and centimetres, not in generic sizes like 10, 12, 14 etc.. Our sizing is not generous nor is it mean; it is as far as possible accurate. As everyone who is a borderline size knows the hardest thing is to decide whether to go up a size or not. If you are not sure what to do we respond to specific sizing queries as quickly as possible.
It would be a much more boring life if we all conformed to a standard sizing so we should all embrace our differences and not become obsessive about it. So enjoy wearing your clothes without worrying about the size label – after all you can always remove it if it is likely to be a problem. Let’s face it if your partner sneaks a look at your size label when they want to buy you an item of cashmere and they buy you a size 14 or equivalent when you normally wear a 10 you may both get pretty annoyed (for different reasons) when you open the present! This is a time when the size label really does matter!
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