CloudSpun Cashmere
The Cashmere Guide
Grades, fibres, and care — everything you need to buy well and look after what you have.
Before You Buy
Six Things to Check
The cashmere market is full of synthetic blends sold under luxury-sounding names. These six checks work wherever you are buying — in a market, a boutique, or online.
The price
Genuine Grade A fibre cannot be sold profitably under ₹4,000–₹6,000 for a standard shawl. Anything cheaper is a blend — or worse. The raw fibre alone costs more than most "cashmere" products sell for.
A grade on the label
Honest suppliers grade by fibre diameter: A, AA, or AAA. A label that simply says "cashmere" or "100% pashmina" with no grade is telling you something.
How it pills
Real cashmere pills lightly in the first two or three washes, then stops completely. A piece that pills continuously and permanently is almost certainly blended with shorter, coarser fibres.
How it feels against skin
Fibre under 19 microns is cloud-soft on bare skin — no itch, no scratch. If it irritates, something has been added that should not be there.
Where the fibre comes from
The word "pashmina" has no legal protection in most markets and can appear on any shawl regardless of content. Ask for the fibre origin, species, and weave method.
The burn test
Hold a loose thread to a flame. Real animal fibre burns like hair — slowly, with a self-extinguishing curl of grey ash. Acrylic melts into a hard plastic bead and smells of chemicals.
How We Grade
Understanding A, AA and AAA
Cashmere quality is measured by the diameter of each fibre in microns. The narrower the fibre, the softer the cloth — and the rarer the source. Every batch we weave is tested before a single thread is spun.
CloudSpun
Grade A
≤ 19 microns
Our entry-level — still genuinely soft on skin, noticeably finer than regular wool. The choice for everyday shawls, travel wraps, and gift sets where warmth and comfort matter most.
Shop Grade A →CloudSpun
Grade AA
16–18 microns
A marked step up in softness and drape. At this diameter the cloth moves differently — lighter, more fluid. The choice for premium gifts, hotel throws, and pieces that will be used often.
Shop Grade AA →CloudSpun
Grade AAA
14–15.5 microns
The finest fibre we source, from certified Inner Mongolian farms. Virtually indistinguishable from fine silk against the skin. Reserved for our most special pieces — heirlooms, personalised gifts, and the highest-tier corporate programmes.
Shop Grade AAA →The Fibres We Use
Cashmere & Merino Wool
Our signature fibre
Cashmere
Capra hircus · Himalayan highland goat
Extraordinary Softness
Up to 8 times finer than human hair — no itch, no scratch. Soft enough to wear directly against bare skin.
Lightweight Warmth
Three times warmer than sheep's wool at a fraction of the weight. Natural hollow fibres trap heat without bulk.
Improves With Age
Well-cared-for cashmere softens and becomes more lustrous over time. It is the opposite of synthetic — better the more it is used.
Quick Facts
- Fibre diameter
- 14–19 microns
- Origin
- Inner Mongolia
- Harvest
- Spring moult
- Warmth-to-weight
- Excellent
Everyday luxury
Merino Wool
Ovis aries · Spanish Merino sheep
Temperature Regulating
Naturally adapts to body temperature — warm in the cold, cool when it is warm. Ideal for year-round wear and travel.
Naturally Odour-Resistant
Merino's natural structure resists bacteria, so it stays fresher for longer between washes — practical as well as comfortable.
Resilient by Nature
Each fibre can bend over 20,000 times before breaking. Highly resistant to pilling compared to regular wool and holds its shape well.
Quick Facts
- Fibre diameter
- 17–24 microns
- Origin
- Australia / New Zealand
- Harvest
- Annual shearing
- Warmth-to-weight
- Very good
Side by Side
How do they compare?
| Cashmere | Merino Wool | |
|---|---|---|
| Softness | Exceptionally soft | Very soft |
| Warmth | Extremely warm | Warm |
| Weight | Ultra-lightweight | Lightweight |
| Breathability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Durability | Good with care | Very good |
| Care | Hand wash / dry clean | Machine washable |
| Price | Premium | Accessible |
| Best for | Gifting & special occasions | Everyday wear & travel |
Looking After Your Piece
Care Instructions
Cashmere
- — Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool detergent. Never agitate or wring.
- — Press out excess water gently and lay flat to dry away from direct heat.
- — Store folded, not hung — hanging stretches the weave over time.
- — Use a cashmere comb once a season to remove any surface pilling.
- — Dry clean embroidered or personalised pieces.
Merino Wool
- — Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle with cool water.
- — Use a mild detergent — avoid fabric softeners, which break down natural fibres.
- — Tumble dry on low or lay flat to dry. Avoid high heat.
- — Iron on a low setting with a pressing cloth if needed.
- — Store folded — merino recovers easily from light creasing.
Ready to shop?