Cashmere vs Lambswool: What’s the Difference?

If you’re shopping for a new scarf, hat or pair of gloves, you may find yourself choosing between two of our favourite natural fibres: cashmere and lambswool.

Both are wonderfully warm natural fibres, making them ideal for scarves, gloves, hats and other accessories as the temperature starts to drop. But they feel quite different, and each has its own advantages.

What is cashmere?

Cashmere is a particularly fine and soft fibre that comes from the undercoat of cashmere goats. Unlike ordinary wool, which is shorn from sheep, cashmere fibres are traditionally collected from the goat’s soft undercoat during its natural seasonal moult.

The fibres are exceptionally fine, which gives cashmere its distinctive softness and allows it to provide impressive warmth without feeling heavy or bulky.

It's one of the reasons a pure cashmere scarf can feel surprisingly lightweight while still keeping you beautifully warm on a cold day.

What is lambswool?

Lambswool is wool taken from a sheep during its first shearing, usually when the animal is still young.

Because these fibres are generally finer and softer than wool from an adult sheep, lambswool has a softer feel than many traditional wools while retaining the warmth, resilience and practicality that make wool such a useful natural fibre.

Good-quality lambswool has a lovely combination of softness and substance. It tends to feel a little more robust than cashmere, making it particularly well suited to scarves, hats and other accessories that are going to see plenty of use.

Is cashmere softer than lambswool?

Generally, yes.

The extremely fine fibres used to make cashmere give it the beautifully soft feel for which it is famous. If softness against the skin is your main priority, pure cashmere is difficult to beat.

Lambswool is also soft – particularly compared with many other types of sheep's wool – but it usually has a slightly more textured, woolly feel.

That doesn't necessarily make one better than the other. Some people love the almost weightless softness of cashmere, while others prefer the slightly more substantial feel of lambswool.

Which is warmer: cashmere or lambswool?

This is where things get interesting.

Both fibres are excellent insulators, but cashmere provides a remarkable amount of warmth for its weight. Its fine fibres trap insulating air very effectively, which means a relatively lightweight cashmere garment can provide excellent warmth.

Lambswool is also naturally warm, but you'll generally need a little more weight and thickness to achieve a similar effect.

So if you're looking for maximum warmth with minimum bulk, cashmere has the advantage.

If you prefer something a little more substantial for colder days, a lambswool scarf or knitted hat is an excellent choice.

 

	Cashmere	Lambswool
Softness	Exceptionally soft and smooth	Soft, with a slightly more traditional woolly feel
Warmth	Excellent warmth for its weight	Naturally warm and insulating
Weight	Lightweight without sacrificing warmth	Usually a little heavier and more substantial
Durability	Long-lasting with the right care	Generally more robust for everyday use
Feel	Fine, soft and luxurious	Cosy, soft and slightly more textured
Care	Benefits from gentle washing and careful handling	Also needs proper wool care, but generally a little more forgiving
Price	More expensive due to the scarcity and processing of the fibre	More affordable while still offering excellent natural warmth
Best for	Lightweight luxury, softness and special gifts	Everyday warmth, practicality and value

Which is more durable?

Lambswool generally wins this one.

Cashmere's wonderfully fine fibres are also part of the reason it needs a little more care. Friction can cause cashmere to pill, particularly when it is new, and heavily used areas can eventually show signs of wear.

Lambswool tends to be a little more robust and forgiving, making it a great option for an everyday scarf or hat that's going to be worn regularly throughout autumn and winter.

That doesn't mean cashmere is delicate to the point of being impractical. A good-quality cashmere accessory that's worn and cared for properly can be enjoyed for many years.

Why is cashmere more expensive than lambswool?

The difference largely comes down to supply.

A cashmere goat produces only a relatively small quantity of usable fine undercoat each year. The fibres also need to be carefully collected, separated and processed before they can be spun into yarn.

Sheep produce considerably more wool, making lambswool more readily available.

This limited supply, combined with the exceptional fineness and properties of the fibre, is one of the reasons pure cashmere commands a higher price.

Cashmere vs lambswool at a glance

Choose cashmere if you want:

• Exceptional softness

• Excellent warmth without lots of weight

• A luxurious feel against the skin

• A special gift or something to treasure

• A lightweight but warm scarf, gloves or other accessory

Choose lambswool if you want:

• Natural warmth and softness

• A slightly more substantial, traditional wool feel

• Good durability for regular wear

• Excellent value from a natural fibre

• An everyday scarf or hat for autumn and winter

So, which is better?

We don't think there's really a winner.

Cashmere offers exceptional softness, lightness and warmth and has that unmistakably luxurious feel. Lambswool offers warmth, comfort and durability at a more accessible price.

For something beautifully soft and lightweight, pure cashmere is hard to beat. For a warm accessory you can reach for day after day throughout the colder months, lambswool is a fantastic choice.

And, of course, there's absolutely no rule saying you can't have both.

Whether you prefer the luxurious softness of cashmere or the cosy warmth of lambswool, choosing a good-quality natural fibre means investing in something that can be worn and enjoyed season after season.