Tausi Insider

Photo : goldnetz ( Shutterstock ) How can one cashmere sweater cost $50 and another $5,000 when both the tags claim the product is “100% cashmere ”? There’s a reason for it, and it goes beyond a designer label or even the quality of the fit—there are actually differences in the quality of the wool itself, even though technically both sweaters are made from the good stuff. So how much is quality cashmere actually worth, and what can you do to ensure you’re getting a good value for your money ? Inspired by this Twitter thread by m enswear writer Derek Guy , here’s what you need to know before you go about buying a fancy cashmere sweater this winter. Why is cashmere so pricey in the first place? Sure, cashmere is awfully soft, but what makes the price point creep into the thousands? The answer is simple: True cashmere is rare, and demand is high. While wool comes from sheep, cashmere comes specifically from cashmere goats. These goats are mostly from a remote region stretching fro...

Photo : evrymmnt ( Shutterstock ) Wool is a pretty incredible fabric : It’s antimicrobial, breathable, odor-resistant, and extremely durable. It can also be tricky to wash and dry. While some wool is machine washable, other garments should be hand-washed,   spot-treated, or dry-cleaned . Here are some mistakes to avoid when washing wool, to ensure yours stays in good condition (and doesn’t shrink). Mistakes to avoid when washing wool Washing wool isn’t especially difficult—it’s just a matter of doing it the right way. Here are some examples of doing it the wrong way: Not reading the care label Look, we get it: Laundry care labels can be confusing. This is why we have an entire post dedicated to decoding them. But taking the extra few seconds to read the care label on an item of clothing made of wool may mean the difference between preserving the piece, and potentially harming it. So before anything else, find out how to wash the wool. Letting stains set in Spill something on a...