A few quick checks help you spot genuine cashmere before you buy.
Feel and warmth
Real cashmere feels soft but not slippery, and warms quickly in your hand rather than feeling cold and synthetic.
The stretch test
Gently stretch the knit and release. Genuine cashmere springs back; fakes stay stretched or feel limp.
Check the label and price
Look for the fibre content and a believable price. Cashmere that's far too cheap is usually blended or mislabelled.
Pilling
A little pilling is normal for natural cashmere; perfectly smooth, plasticky surfaces often mean synthetic.
Shop our cashmere and pure wool knitwear with clear fibre information on every page.
FAQ
How can you tell real cashmere from fake?
Real cashmere feels soft and dry, warms quickly in the hand, and springs back when stretched. Very cheap imitations can feel slippery or overly shiny.
Does real cashmere pill?
Yes, a little at first — that is normal for natural fibres. It settles once the loose surface fibres are removed.
ZHILIFS cashmere: the actual numbers
These are the specifications we knit to in our own factory in Chongqing, China. We design, knit and sell direct, so these figures come from our production sheets rather than a supplier's catalogue.
- Fibre — 100% cashmere
- Gauge — 9, 12 or 357 needle, depending on the style
- Yarn — 2-ply 16s or 2-ply 26s
- Weight (XL) — 300–500 g, tolerance ±20 g
- Knit structures — cable, fisherman's rib, links-and-links
Lower needle counts (9 and 12) give a chunkier, more textured piece; 357-needle pieces are the finest and lightest, and feel smoothest against the skin.