'Budget' Cashmere: Myth or Magic? (Uniqlo, Everlane, & More)

#budgetcashmere #mythormagic #notsponsored

SHOP THE VIDEO:

GUIDES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

VIDEO CREDITS:
→ Script: E.J. Daniels
→ Camera: Chris Dummer
→ Editing: Lukas Mooney
→ Visual Supervisor: Preston Schlueter
→ Sony Pictures Television
→ Middleton Place
→ CashmereAustralia
→ Business Insider

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Gentleman's Gazette

00:00 Budget Cashmere Introduction

When you consider that cashmere is one of the original “luxury fabrics” The notion of “Budget Cashmere” seems like an obvious contender for our Myth or Magic Series. By the end of this video, we’ll have fully investigated the claims of Budget Cashmere. So ewe needn’t be sheepish when it comes to this topic

01:08 What’s the Hype Around Cashmere?

Often touted for its decadent texture and incredible softness in hushed tones of reverent wonder. “Cashmere” refers generally to both the fibers and fabrics that are constructed from the fleece of cashmere-producing goats. This fleece consists of two parts: the extremely fine and delicate down layer and the thicker and rougher guard hairs.

Cashmere is noted for being extremely soft but durable and Insulating but not stuffy. As such it’s very popular for sweaters, vests, robes, mittens, scarves, ties, socks, and even suits.

Cashmere is harvested in two main methods:
→ 03:50 Combing Method
→ 04:07 Shearing Method

The Combing Method is much more labor and time-intensive but it produces cashmere that is superior to Shearing Harvest cashmere.

05:41 Budget Cashmere Tactics: 1. Lack of Fiber Information
09:23 2. Imprecise Fiber Information
12:55 3. Blending Fabrics
14:09 4. Milling & Manufacturing Hacks

16:20 Fast Fashion & the Environment
The most serious implication of Fast Fashion, and Budget Cashmere, involves their contributions to “Throw-Away Culture” and environmental destruction.

To reduce costs by increasing the supply of cashmere, goat-herders are pressured to raise massive, unsustainable flocks that do tremendous damage to local environments.

Furthermore, because it has to cut corners to be cheaper, the propensity for Budget Cashmere to tear, stretch, and pill means Budget Cashmere products have to be constantly thrown away and replaced, filling up landfills and exacerbating the demand, and destruction, of Budget Cashmere production.

18:23 Our Experiences: Nathan Price
19:42 Preston Schlueter

20:21 Conclusion: Myth or Magic?

We find it to fall largely in the “Myth” category. Selling lower-quality cashmere at a lower price is like pulling a coin out of your own pocket but expecting people to react as if you pulled it out of someone else’s ear.

Cashmere, contrary to popular opinion, comes in ranges of quality. It would be genuine magic for Budget Cashmere companies to have somehow found a way to drastically reduce costs on a product that is extremely time and labor-intensive without sacrificing quality

Overall, then, we’re not going to go so far as to say that you should uniformly refuse to consider buying budget cashmere, as everyone’s priorities (and pocketbooks) are different. But as with most things, remember that you do get what you pay for.

21:56 Outfit Rundown

[hannamakela]

I love how Preston's puns are supposed to be bad but are actually very good! :)

[greghart]

In some cases a blend of silk and decent cashmere can be very desirable, the silk increases strength, and thus durability, as well as 'body' or stiffness, whilst still being a skin friendly, natural fabric.

[Batrnabmjhhhh]

Cashmere keeps you about 8 times warmer than any other fabric and it really shows in the Winter.
I was wearing a Cashmere Dress from mongolia (I dont think it's the highest quality) but when I forgot my coat in the car and we had to wait for 1 hour outside, oh yes...I noticed how Cashmere kept me warmer than any other fabric....like magic. I think that's the whole purpose of Cashmere

[aiuhwuh]

Everybody gangster until gentleman’s gazette calls out Uniqlo

[SidharthThapar]

We buy grade A cashmere fibre from Mongolia for about 140-150 USD/Kg usually at 15.5 microns avg, but it being a short fibre, we lose some during dyeing, combing, spinning and weaving in-house. We supply indirectly to few of the brands mentioned above, and they usually use grade B for sweaters and grade A for scarfs, depends on if it’s next to skin or not. Blends are not always to cut cost and it increases avg length and helps us process cashemere.

[Knowledge_Nuggies]

Could you make a "101 Wine", "101 Art" etc. or a "101 what every aspiring Gentleman needs to know"? Or could you recommend any sources on that?

[shotbytim]

OK, we've established that budget cashmere is inferior compered to the better grades of cashmere, but how does it fare compared to the finer textured sheep wools, like Merino? For a light, layering sweater, which is the better buy-budget cashmere or a solid, middle-grade Merino?

[saraG]

I appreciate all the content you present and I wish you and your company every success. It's such a pleasure to know there is still quality to be found.

[wesmcquillen]

Club Room cashmere sweaters have been my mom's go-to Christmas gift for me for a while and up until the past 2 years, they've been great. I tried on a new color (salmon pink) in the store this year and noticed how incredibly thin they have become - I could see my undershirt through it. They finally cut a big corner on quality and I think I've got enough of the better ones in my closet now.

[EduardoBach]

My dream blend would be 70% cashmere/30% cotton. It thus poses an issue for the market because such a blend would be very hardwearing...

[vlogsbyalejandro]

I absolutely love Preston's sweaters and cardigans. His style is probably my favorite of all the members.

[drip]

I love genuine cashmere. All right, I'm ready to learn something new

[Zofer-]

Came for the cashmere info, stayed for the Preston puns 😎

[InformationRequired]

This is my favourite type of content from GG. Great video Preston!

[aben]

None of this is specific to budget cashmere retailers. I have several Ralph Lauren Purple Label cashmere sweaters. I also have a Brunello Cucinelli cashmere sweater and I don’t remember any info of where it came from on the product pages. I’ve had those sweaters for about 7-8 years and they still look great, but I’m pretty sure they had no information about the cashmere on the tags or the product pages when I bought them. I have several cashmere blends from other brands that I have had for a while and they have held up well. I actually prefer the cashmere silk blends and think they hold up pretty well.

[gordonbrandt]

I have told my family for years that cost is not a reason to purchase any particular item. I'd rather spend the money for quality then get a less expensive item. Which makes me a somewhat difficult client regarding clothing. That doesn't disregard fabric construction, material or fit.

[westfieldartworks]

I can ALWAYS count on Fort Belvedere for true quality. They take pride in being the REAL McCoy... I ordered several cashmere V-necks this year from NADAAM, and Everlane, four in total. They're nice and overall pretty good cashmere sweaters, but I have pilling now on the Navy one, and you can kind of just tell that they are not....top top of the line. I knew it when I looked at the NADAAM catalogue only to see hoodies and sweat suits made out of the same cashmere for relatively low prices. I'm glad I purchased the V-necks...but that will be enough from those companies. I'd rather from now on, save up, pay more, get higher quality. Thank you.

[Bethman-cp]

Thank you for clearing up that topic. I'm glad to have bought a nice sheer wool scarf for my brother and not getting fooled to buy a kashmir one for just a few bucks more.

[lifelovesme]

Thank you for raising awareness for the environmental impact of our purchase decisions. 🙏🏻✨Quality over quantity. Let’s hope this sentiment will prevail.

[stylishoversixty]

Preston I must admit after viewing your video on budget cashmere and considering the options available this will certainly help me to make a more consumer conscience purchase and lessen the chance of being "cashed" out thanks for the video!😄