by Damien Mullen
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Each month we ask our expert tailors to address one of your most frequent questions. This month we’re discussing cashmere and whether it’s the right choice for summer
It can be hard to know what kind of fabrics to wear during the summer months. Cotton and linen are very popular woven choices, but what about knit alternatives? Today we’re considering the question of cashmere and whether it’s a suitable fabric choice for a summer weight suit.
Cashmere is a luxury fabric that has a fantastic reputation for quality. It is a beautifully soft fabric which will feel wonderful to wear… but is it as comfortable in the spring and summer as it is in the autumn and winter?
We think it’s reasonable to describe cashmere as something of a super fibre. It boasts about three times the insulating power of sheep’s wool, so you can see why it’s so popular during the cooler months. However, cashmere is also very thin and lightweight, which means it also has its attractions during the summer.
Natural fibres are a much better choice during hot weather than man-made fibres. This is primarily because natural fibres are breathable, which means that they don’t hold in heat as much as their man-made counterparts.
All this is to say that there is absolutely no reason to banish this luxury fabric to the colder half of the year. Cashmere and cotton blends are a good choice for lighter summer-weight suits. They are lightweight and breathable, but still boast the soft, luxurious feel of wool.
A cashmere blend suit is an ideal choice for formal office wear or for summer social events such as weddings and christenings.
Next month we’ll be asking our tailors to cover another frequently asked tailoring question. Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss it.
