Why Is Cashmere So Expensive?
Why is cashmere so expensive? It’s a fair question, and one I’ve been asked more times than I can count. In the cashmere industry, prices can range from £40 to well over a thousand. The high price difference for such a luxury item begs another question: is all cashmere created equally?
It's easy to assume the difference is all about branding—but that’s rarely the full story. Having worked with a range of suppliers and seen cashmere at various quality levels, I’ve come to understand what really drives the price. From the way it’s sourced to how it’s spun and finished, the cost rarely reflects only the label. That's where craftsmanship, ethics, and longevity come in:
Where Does Cashmere Come From?
If you don't know much about cashmere, it's origin might come as quite the surprise! The luxurious fibre that makes your best loved cashmere garments comes from the humble cashmere goat (to get technical, the capra hircus laniger).
Over time, this breed of goats have adapted to the treacherous climates of Inner Mongolia (Central Asia). After shedding their old coat, cashmere goats produce a fine, soft undercoat to keep them warm through the harsh colder months.
It's this soft undercoat that becomes the raw cashmere fibres, known for it's unmatched softness and warmth.
Cashmere goats in Inner Mongolia.
Each spring, the cashmere goats naturally shed their winter coat, allowing goat herders to comb the fleece by hand. This yields far less than the wool production of a sheep, which is one reason why cashmere remains so rare.
The result is a cashmere fibre that's lightweight yet warmer and softer tan traditional wool. So, it's no wonder that cashmere has earned a reputation as nature's finest fibre!
The Cashmere Industry is Changing
The lack of supply and the demand for cashmere has (but hopefully not forever) changed the cashmere industry.
Cashmere garments used to be something you could only find in specialist boutiques, but now it’s everywhere—from fast-fashion websites to high-street stores. That boom in availability hasn’t all been positive. To keep up with demand and pressure, herders are putting more and more cashmere goats on fragile grasslands in Inner Mongolia and China.
Worse still, some suppliers demand the herders rush the harvest to increase cashmere production. Instead of waiting for cashmere goats to shed naturally, they are manually de-haired. Suppliers demand the use of harsh combing or strip the undercoat too aggressively, sometimes even taking fleece from young kids. The cashmere goats suffer, and produce coarser, shorter fibres that don’t feel as soft—or last as long.
Then there’s the human side. Many herders earn very little, despite the fact that their produce and hard work ends up in £500–£1,000 sweaters. Cheap cashmere jumpers might look tempting, but they’re often made from low-quality cashmere fibre with higher micron counts and less careful finishing—saving costs at the expense of both animal welfare and garment longevity.
At Story Cashmere, we work only with reputable providers who are members of industry-regulating boards, and who follow humane production methods and support herder communities methods.
That extra care helps to protect fragile grasslands and the cashmere goats, and ensures herder communities properly supported—so every cashmere sweater, cardigan, or scarf you buy from us really is luxury you can feel good about.
Discover our luxuriously soft cashmere wraps.
Why the Price of Good Cashmere Makes Sense
When you see a cashmere sweater priced at £150–£500 (or more), it can feel steep next to a £40 'cashmere' jumper. But understanding why cashmere is so expensive means looking beyond that price tag:
1. Durability and Versatility Justifies the Cost
Versatility
True cashmere clothing acts beautifully as a lightweight jumper, cardigan or scarf—and layers seamlessly under coats and jackets. One garment can serve multiple styling needs across seasons, reducing the number of pieces you need.
Durability
With long, even fibres (14–19 microns) and a tighter knit, high-quality cashmere resists pilling and holds its shape far longer than cheaper knits. That means fewer replacements and more wear for your investment.
2. Total Cost of Ownership Is Lower Over Time
While a £40 sweater might feel and look good for the first few wears, it often pills, loses loft and will need replacing every 1–2 seasons. A well-made cashmere jumper, properly hand-washed and stored, will last 5–10 years—so your annualised spend can actually be lower.
3. Ethical & Environmental Premiums Are Priced In
Story Cashmere only works with suppliers that pay fair wages to herders and follow ethical grazing and combing practices, which incurs higher sourcing costs. That’s reflected in the price but helps prevent land degradation, supports cashmere goat welfare, and keeps small communities afloat.
Our stylish and endlessly versatile cashmere cardigans.
Cashmere Quality Test: How to Tell High from Low
If you’ve never shopped cashmere before, it can feel like a guessing game. Here are a few simple checks—no cashmere wool-expert lingo required:
1. The Softness Test
Good cashmere feels unbelievably soft, almost like a gentle caress on your skin.
Cheap stuff can feel a little coarse or even a bit itchy, especially around sensitive areas where your skin is thinner and more delicate, such as on your neck or wrists.
2. The Weight and Bounce Test
Good cashmere is surprisingly light for how warm it is. If you lift it, it almost “floats” in your hand and bounces back when you tug it gently.
Low-quality cashmere feels thin or flimsy and can stay stretched out if you pull it.
3. The Pilling Test
Rub a small patch between your fingers:
High-quality cashmere stays smooth.
Lower-quality cashmere might form little fuzz-balls (“pills”) or snag.
4. Look at the Label
Check it says 100% pure cashmere—not “cashmere blend.”
If it doesn’t clearly say “pure cashmere,” it probably isn’t.
5. Price Is a Clue
Sweaters under around £150 are often made with shorter, thicker hairs that cost less to produce.
Sweaters in the £150–£500 range usually use longer, finer hairs that feel softer and last longer.
6. Ask About Origin
Good brands will tell you where the goats live (e.g. Inner Mongolia or Kashmir) because those regions produce the softest, longest hairs.
If a brand won’t share that, they might be hiding a lower-quality source.
Using these easy checks, you’ll spot the real deal and understand why cashmere can be so expensive—because the best stuff takes extra care, time and honest labour all the way from the goat to your jumper.
Cashmere is a Luxury You'll Love to Live In
At Story Cashmere, our main goal is to blend luxury with items you can wear anywhere at anytime. We work hard to responsibly source the best cashmere yarn, and to design items that are that extra bit special, a little bit different, and not something you can find on the high street. We create each and every item with this in mind, because you deserve to feel luxurious, regardless of whether you pair cashmere with your comfiest jeans, your favourite dress, your cosiest pyjamas, or even your gym kit (yes this happens!).
We don't sell just fashion here at Story Cashmere, we sell a feeling.
