Wearing Cashmere This Fall? Here’s How to Do It Ethically
With temperatures dropping across the US this week, the inevitable cashmere craze is just around the corner. What better way to celebrate than a PSL in a Jenni Kayne cardigan? That is, unless you're a consumer of the finer things, like Blank Street’s new Banana Bread Matcha. Sip on- I don’t discriminate as long as it’s hot.
In any case, it’s no secret that the global cashmere market practically dominates the fall and winter textile industry. Last year, Fortune Business valued the cashmere market at $3.33 billion and projects the trade will grow from $3.47 billion in 2024 to $4.93 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 4.47% in less than a decade.
While cashmere is praised for its delicate and gentle ambiance, the negative implications of the material are woven deeper than felt to the touch.
Cashmere originates from the underbelly of cashmere goats, primarily originating in China, Mongolia, and Tibet. The fibers are soft and malleable, emulating that of a silk-thistle-wool hybrid. Unfortunately, the process of removing goats’ coats is not always painless. Amidst a process that takes over an hour, shearing the goats’ fur can consist of forceful practices and in some cases, even death. Not to mention the necessity of four goats on average to produce one authentic cashmere sweater. Material necessity coupled with lofty consumer demand begs the question:
How does the average cashmere lover sport their style while preserving their ethical compass?
For starters, omit fast-fashion cashmere dealers. Operating on hasty production timelines and prioritizing frugal goods,, fast-fashion producers typically use vendors that do not comply with animal-cruelty regulations.
Second, look for hand-combed cashmere. This method is gentle on the goats while preserving the soft, wool-like integrity of the material. Finally, keep an eye out for vendors that source their materials after the winter season has passed. Those sourcing cashmere during the warmer months allow goats to cool down in the heat and regrow their luscious coats in the cooler months.
All of this to say, you don’t necessarily have to shun your cashmere to deem yourself an informal member of the humane society. Simply read production standards before clicking “purchase.” And just because I’m solutions-oriented (as well as a patron saint),
Here are 5 ethical cashmere storefronts for your next crunchy-leaf Central Park stroll:
1. NAADAM: offering 6 varieties of cashmere, NAADAM prides themselves on “preserving nomadic lifestyle” for both farmers and farm animals of Mongolia
2. Cuyana: sourced from Mongolia and sewn in Italy, locally made
3. Izzy Lane: sourced from goats "lovingly cared for in the Scottish Borders".
4. Stella McCartney: iconic for their ethical practices as a coveted fashion house. Production utilizes regenerated fibers repurposed from landfills.
5. Brora: sources from community collectives in Inner Mongolia, then mills in Scotland.
