Cashmere. Just hearing this fabric said aloud makes you instantly think of the ultimate in luxe cosy comfort. Thrift shops and online resell apps can be some of the best places for sourcing cashmere at a very reduced price. It’s out there and it’s looking for a new home.
I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re standing in the thrift shop with hundreds of sweaters lined up on the racks. Where do you begin? How do you weed through all the knits to find that one cashmere gem? I’ve got five tips to help make your thrifting cashmere experience a bit easier:
1. Start by going to your size section of the sweater racks and running your hand along the sides of the sweaters to judge by feel. Cashmere has a distinct feel to it. It’s a softness like no other. Once you find a sweater that feels like it could be cashmere, double check the fabric label. Wool and cashmere blends are lovely, too. Once you find a piece you like, be sure to look for holes, rips, stains, etc. To check for holes, simply hold the sweater up to the light and look thoroughly. Once you’ve exhausted the sweater section, check out the other areas of the thrift shop where cashmere may be hiding.
2. Cashmere blazers can be found in both the men’s and women’s sections of the thrift shop. Read your labels and check the price. You need to be prepared for adding the cost of dry-cleaning to the price of the garment. You are also going to want to check for holes, tears, and for the quality and condition of the lining and seams. If repairs are also needed, this can add to the price, too.
3. Vests are really having a moment in fashion and although the vest sections in thrift shops are generally quite small, be sure to pay it a visit. Again, always check both the men’s and women’s sections. Styles are gender fluid, so don’t limit yourself to one section.
4. Cashmere is a cold weather staple so don’t forget to check out the outerwear. There can be some gorgeous cashmere/wool blend coats out there. Going through the scarf rack is another important place to check. Yes, the scarf section is usually full of synthetics, but the silks, wools and cashmeres can be in there waiting for you, too.
5. If you feel unsure of what styles to look for when thrifting, pop onto Pinterest before heading out on your thrifting adventure. This can be a great help for guiding your decisions to current or classic looking pieces that also fit with your style instead of a dated looking item. Simply type something like “cashmere sweater outfit” into the search and get inspired. Also, don’t get discouraged if you end up not finding anything on your first try. It may take a couple attempts to find the perfect piece.
3 Thrifted Cashmere Looks
Look 1: Thrifted cashmere v-neck sweater with batwing sleeve. Thrifted cotton blend pants. Poppy Barley leather lug sole shoes. 12 + year old leather bag.
Look 2: Thrifted cashmere/wool blend men’s navy blazer. Cotton dress from Astha and Sidharth . Secondhand (from Poshmark) orange leather bag and shoes.
Look 3: Thrifted men’s cashmere button up vest. Thrifted cotton/wool blend turtleneck. Secondhand fast fashion jeans from Poshmark. Poppy Barley oxford shoes. 10+ year old Coach bag. —Jen Pistor
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