Cashmere for every journey

The best travel wardrobe is the one you stop thinking about once you have left. It consists of a few pieces that work with each other, that function at ten degrees as well as at twenty two, and that do not look, after a night in a suitcase, as though they have spent a night in a suitcase. Cashmere meets those three conditions better than any other fibre.

What makes cashmere a travelling companion

It is a question of weight first. A fine cashmere jumper weighs between two and three hundred grams and keeps you warmer than a sweatshirt three times as heavy. The reason lies in the structure of the fibre: it is hollow and traps air, and air is the best insulator you can wear.

Then there is moisture regulation. Cashmere absorbs up to a third of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp. In practice that means the climate right against your skin stays comfortable in an overheated train or an air conditioned cabin, instead of alternating between too warm and too cold.

The third point is the one most people underestimate. Cashmere barely creases. A knit has no pressed edges like a woven fabric, it settles back into shape on its own once unpacked. A shirt needs an iron; a cashmere jumper needs a hook and twenty minutes.

Seven days in hand luggage

A week can be covered with surprisingly little, provided the pieces belong together. This set has proved itself as a framework:

• Two long sleeve tops as a base, one light, one dark. The FinaLa Pima Longsleeve in Navy works on its own and just as well as a layer underneath.

• One fine jumper for the evenings and for anything slightly more formal.

• A gilet as a middle layer. The Dolci Cashmere Gilet Beluga takes up almost no space and replaces the jacket on many days.

• A pair of trousers in a tone that goes with everything, and a second pair in reserve.

• A large scarf or a poncho, which plays three parts on the road: scarf, blanket on the plane, wrap on a cool evening.

That is seven pieces yielding far more than seven combinations. All of it fits in a cabin case, and none of it needs ironing.

Layers instead of a coat

Travellers crossing climate zones often pack a heavy coat and wear it for two hours. Three thin layers you can add and remove separately make more sense: long sleeve, jumper, gilet. That combination handles wind better than one heavy piece, because air sits between the layers as well.

The side effect is visual. Three fine layers look composed; a thick jumper looks like a thick jumper. Stay within one colour family and the combination still reads well when you take a layer off and carry it over your arm.

Colours that do not argue

The quickest route to a working travel wardrobe runs through a limited palette. Two neutrals plus a third colour as an accent, no more. Sandstone, beige, grey, navy and brown go together in almost any combination, and they show less on the road than pure white or black.

A practical test before packing: lay every piece out side by side on the bed. If each top works with each pair of trousers, the selection is right. If one piece only works with a single other, it stays at home.

Packing without packing in creases

Cashmere is rolled, not folded. Lay the piece flat, fold the sleeves inwards and roll it up loosely from the hem. That way no hard edges form for a crease to settle into later. The rolls go at the bottom of the case, heavy and angular items on top, not the other way round.

If you take a poncho such as the Garda Cashmere Poncho, lay it flat as the top layer over the contents rather than folding it. It then doubles as padding for everything underneath.

Freshening up on the road

Wash nothing on a trip that does not need washing. A cashmere piece hung on a hanger in the bathroom overnight, or while you shower, is fresh again the next morning. The steam is enough to release odours and to take light pressure marks out of the knit.

If a wash really is necessary, a hand wash in the basin with a drop of shampoo will do: press it through briefly, rinse well and press the water out in a towel. Dry the piece flat on a second towel, never over a radiator. All of this is covered in more detail in our piece on caring for cashmere.

Frequently asked questions

Does cashmere crease in a suitcase?

Barely. A knit has no pressed edges like a woven fabric and settles back into shape once unpacked. Roll the pieces instead of folding them and the last pressure marks disappear within twenty minutes on a hanger.

How many cashmere pieces do I need for a week?

Three are enough: two light tops and a jumper or gilet as a middle layer. Together with two pairs of trousers and a large scarf that covers a week without visible repetition.

Is cashmere suitable for warm destinations?

Yes. Fine cashmere regulates moisture and feels comfortable in the evening when the temperature drops. For warm destinations choose light qualities and pale tones rather than heavy cable knits.

How do I freshen cashmere up in a hotel?

Hang the piece in the bathroom while you shower. The steam releases odours and takes out light creases. Washing on a trip is only necessary if there is an actual stain.

How do I pack cashmere to save space?

Roll the knitwear and place it at the bottom, with shoes and angular items on top. A poncho laid flat across the whole contents pads everything underneath and takes no space of its own.

If you would like to put your travel wardrobe together, take your time with the cashmere collection or come to the showroom. We will tell you honestly which three pieces you actually need.