Cashmere is a soft, luxurious material that can make the wearer feel beautiful and confident. However, if the garment is not pure cashmere, it can be itchy and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, making sure an article of clothing is strictly cashmere is a little more difficult than just checking the label. According to an article published in the the Wall Street Journal in May 2001, many garments that are labeled "100% Cashmere" are not actually pure cashmere, and those other filler fibers can make your skin itch.
Ask the retailer if you can see a copy of their cashmere test certificate. According to an article published in Fashion Technology Magazine in September 2007, the Cashmere & Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute has approved certain laboratories to conduct tests on the quality of cashmere at the request of the retailer. Check the report for mean fiber diameter, which should be less than 19 microns, and percentage of coarse hair, which should be under 3 percent.
Take the garment into the fitting room and roll it into a ball. According to an article entitled "7 Secrets of Cashmere" from Marie Claire magazine, quality cashmere should not wrinkle.
Rub the inside of the garment along your neck. By testing the material on one of the most sensitive parts of your body, you will immediately know if this cashmere article will be itchy or uncomfortable.
Stretch the material to check the tension, says Intelligent Life magazine. Quality cashmere will immediately tighten back up to retain its original shape. Inferior cashmere will sag and lose its shape.
Check the price tag. In the case of cashmere, high-quality is always going to be a splurge. Be weary of retailers peddling pure cashmere sweaters at super-low prices.