When we think of cashmere, most likely a certain type of sweater comes to mind. Of course we think of the luxurious buttery knit…but when I’m referring to what instantly comes to mind, I’m talking about the style and shape of the sweater. For instance, I usually envision a soft pink figure-flattering, v or scoop-neck sweater…but you may think of a long cable-knit cardigan. Whether it’s because cashmere sweaters are a tad too pricy for us to own more than one or two or we visualize a classic movie with a legendary starlet wearing one in a scene that is etched into our memory…for whatever reason, we tend to think of only one or two styles of cashmere sweaters.

Cashmere is expensive because it comes from the neck area of the Cashmere and a few other goats from the Himilayas, thus making it quite rare. The neck area of the Cashmere goat is not only small (making the quantity of the soft precious hair limited), the hairs also need to be separated from the outer coarser hair that guards the precious soft under-hair or underdown. This process is referred to as de-hairing and is a mechanical process that is both time consuming and expensive, relatively speaking. After the down is de-haired, the cashmere hairs are ready to be dyed and spun into yarn.

Whether you picture a cardigan, a basic V-neck or an understated shell, if it’s made from cashmere wool, I can promise you that it’s indeed going to be lovely. Cashmere is lightweight yet very warm, which makes it ideal as the ultimate fall fashion staple. It’s the perfect knit for staying comfortable and toasty without the look and discomfort of a lot of bulk. It can look sassy chic, boyfriend comfy, or ultra-feminine on any woman, yet can also look stunning when a man chooses a piece for his business-suit as well. And surprisingly, cashmere sweaters come in a multitude of colors, anything from gray to pink to big bold bright prints. It certainly doesn’t have to be your mother’s stuffy cashmere anymore…It can be worn and look fabulous on anyone from age 2 to 80!

Some of the season’s best cashmere sweaters can usually be found at most upscale retailers such as Nordstrom or J. Crew and can also be found online at a number of websites such as TSE. You’ll probably find that the soft sensational sweaters can be found in any style ranging from a long-sleeve tee to a two-tone popover hoodie and typically range in price from about $130 to $600. Should you decide to shell over the money…my prediction is…this will be one pricey purchase you’ll probably never regret!