The reputation of cashmere as the quiet luxury hero of modern wardrobes has only grown in recent years.
Seen as the softest, most desirable knit you can get your hands on, we were surprised to learn there’s another, even more elevated version of this incredible yarn.
Kiwi cashmere brand Elle & Riley has just launched a new collection created with baby cashmere.
What is baby cashmere?
A refresher: Cashmere fibres are known for their breathability, comfort and warmth, thanks to a unique structure that traps air efficiently. As a result, a beautifully soft and lightweight cashmere sweater can provide substantial insulation without the bulk of heavier wool garments.
Created with premium natural fibres, the wool sourced from cashmere goats provides lasting value, though it requires an initial outlay.
It is pricey because it is rare, with ethical products sourced from gently hand-combed goats in Mongolia, Nepal and China.
Baby Cashmere is an even more precious and soft version of this wool. It is only sourced from the very first combing of young cashmere goats. This initial fleece, collected only once in the animal’s lifetime is the softest the goat will ever produce.
On encountering Elle & Riley’s new baby cashmere pieces, we were surprised by the hand feel – delicate, yet cloud-like. Wrapped around the neck in the brand’s new triangle scarf, the gentle touch seems to magically wave away any chill.
“Baby Cashmere has a quietness to it,” explains Elle & Riley co-founder Yolande Ellis. “It’s not just the softness, but the way it sits against the skin: light, warm, and so very subtle. There’s something very instinctive about it. It’s the kind of piece you live in, and then pass on.”
A small edit of special pieces, designed to be worn close to the body, are now available as part of Elle & Riley’s A Softer View Baby Cashmere Collection. It includes sweaters in crew, V-neck and mock neck iterations, matching triangle scarves, straight-leg pants and beanies in camel, cream, black and grey.
The A Softer View collection is available now at elleandriley.com.
