When looking for any cashmere garment, there are a few key factors to keep in mind, as these are usually the main impacts on sustainability.
| Stage | What Matters |
| Farming | Healthy grasslands and carefully managed grazing |
| Goat Welfare | Good nutrition, shelter, care and fibre collection |
| Herders | Fair treatment and safe working conditions |
| Processing | Responsible management of water, energy and chemicals |
| Manufacturing | Skilled construction and production kept close to demand |
| Wearing | Quality that supports years of regular use |
The Grasslands
This is where cashmere starts its journey before it's made into a luxury sweater or cashmere scarf. The raw cashmere material comes from the undercoat that goats will grow to protect themselves in cold winters.
The goats are raised in environmentally sensitive grasslands, so if too many animals are grazing the same land, the vegetation will struggle to recover, putting pressure on soil health and biodiversity.
What needs to be considered is how many goats the land can support and where they are grazing across seasons. This is why using proper sourcing standards matters because any brand can state their cashmere is “responsibly made or “natural”.
Using verified sourcing standards ensures good biodiversity and better soil health.
Animal Welfare
The best cashmere is only collected when nature tells you it’s ready, and that's when goats naturally begin shedding their coats in winter. But truly responsible production should consider the animals all year round and not only during fibre collection.
Animals should have:
- Access to food and water
- Shelter and living conditions
- Health and veterinary care
- Careful handling
- Appropriate combing and shearing
At Rise & Fall, our yarns are certified through The Good Cashmere Standard, which ensures requirements covering goat welfare, environmental protection, and for the people working within the supply chain are met.
The People
Experienced herders of the communities that have worked with cashmere goats for generations are fundamental to the production of quality cashmere.
That's why responsible sourcing addresses working conditions, safety, fair treatment, livelihoods, and animal welfare.
Most of the time, these small but vital details aren't transparent when you pick up a cashmere sweater, but they are still part of what gives the finished piece its value.
Always choose retailers that have clear and proper cashmere sustainability standards.
Manufacturing
During the manufacturing of cashmere products, it needs to be sorted, cleaned, dehaired, spun, dried and then knitted.
At each of these stages, water, energy and chemicals may be used, which also have sustainability factors to consider.
| What To Look For | What It Tells You |
| Recognised cashmere standards | Farming, welfare and supply-chain requirements have been set |
| Textile safety certification | Materials have been tested against limits for harmful substances |
| Clear fibre information | The brand understands the quality of the yarn |
| Manufacturing transparency | You can see where and how the product was made |
| Smaller production runs | The brand is producing closer to demand rather than overproducing |
No fibres are impact-free, but what we do to manage certain factors can replace false or vague claims with clear, independently verified requirements.
Quality is Sustainability
Choosing a quality cashmere sweater that has been made with good construction and a considered weave makes a considerable difference from a sustainability perspective.
Longer fibres and a finer yarn create a smooth, strong fabric that holds its shape and remains wearable through repeated seasons.
A cashmere sweater that quickly loses its shape and needs replacing will typically not have made good use of the fibre or been made with longevity in mind, however promising its original label sounded.
At Rise & Fall, we use Grade-A Mongolian cashmere fibres measuring around 15.5 microns and 34 to 36mm in length. They are chosen for softness, but also for the strength needed to create anything from full zip cashmere hoodies to oversized wraps.
6 Ways to Make Your Cashmere Last Longer
- Rest sweaters between wears
- Air them before deciding they need washing
- Wash gently with wool detergent
- Reshape and dry flat
- Store folded rather than hanging
- Remove occasional pills with a cashmere comb
Our Technical Manager at Rise & Fall, Sande Lee explains:
“A well-made cashmere garment can last for as many years as you continue to look after it. Protect it from moths, spot-clean where possible rather than washing the whole garment, and use a handheld cashmere comb to remove pills rather than an electric fabric shaver.”
Wear it, care for it and let it become part of your everyday winter wardrobe. The best cashmere shouldn’t be just saved for a special occasion that never arrives.
Recycled Cashmere
Recycled cashmere will use fibres from existing garments or production waste, reducing demand for newly sourced cashmere.
Recycled cashmere is a good option, but it often has shorter fibres because they have already been processed. The fibres may also be blended with another fibre such as wool or merino wool to give it more strength.
Cashmere At Rise & Fall
For us, the best cashmere starts with better choices at every stage.
We use Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, selected not just for softness but for strength and longevity. Our fibres measure around 15.5 microns and 34 to 36mm in length, helping us create knitwear that feels soft while holding itself through regular wear. As our yarns are certified to The Good Cashmere Standard, it sets requirements for goat welfare, environmental protection and working conditions across the supply chain.
As Beth Ranson, Head of Product Development at Rise & Fall, explains:
“Beautiful cashmere should be made responsibly. We work with trusted suppliers who share our commitment to animal welfare, traceability and responsible production, and every supplier is required to follow the Rise & Fall Animal Welfare Policy.”
This helps us work with suppliers whose practices align with our standards, while giving greater visibility over how our cashmere is sourced and produced.
We keep our production closer to demand rather than making large volumes in advance. That helps reduce unnecessary overproduction and potential waste.
What To Ask When Buying Cashmere
- Is the sourcing clearly explained?
- Does the brand address goat welfare and land management?
- Is there information about the yarn and manufacturing?
- Does the garment feel made for regular wear?
- Is the price reflected in the product itself?
FAQs
1. Is cashmere environmentally friendly?
Cashmere has an environmental impact, particularly through grazing and fibre processing. Better land management, responsible sourcing and long-lasting construction can help reduce that impact.
2. What is The Good Cashmere Standard?
It is an independent standard covering cashmere goat welfare, environmental protection, working conditions and parts of the supply chain.
3. Is cashmere biodegradable?
Pure cashmere can biodegrade under suitable conditions. Dyes, finishes and blended synthetic fibres may affect the finished garment.
4. Is expensive cashmere more sustainable?
A high price may reflect good fibres and craftsmanship, but it can also include branding, marketing and retail costs. Always look for evidence about sourcing, manufacturing and quality.
