Materials That Age Beautifully
Cashmere, lambswool, alpaca and Shetland — what each fibre gives you, and how it changes with time.
Not all natural fibres age the same way. Some soften, some bloom, some hold their crispness for years. Knowing the difference is the easiest way to buy well.
Good fibre does not wear out. It wears in.
Lambswool is springy and forgiving. It resists creasing, holds a cable pattern crisply and develops a gentle halo after a season of wear. Shetland wool is sturdier and slightly rustic, which is exactly why it suits colourwork and outerwear.
Cashmere is the softest of the four and the most demanding. Worn regularly and washed gently by hand, it becomes more supple every year. Alpaca sits between the two: warm, drapey, and naturally lustrous, with almost no lanolin — which makes it a good choice for sensitive skin.
Whatever the fibre, the care is the same. Wash rarely, air often, dry flat, and store folded rather than hung.