Downside of Wool/Cashmere Blend for Suiting?

[bigbris1]

One of my main criteria when choosing a suit used to be that it was 100% wool. I am no longer satisfied with this as I have been wanting more substantial looking/feeling fabrics. In my ongoing quest for obtaining flannels I have come across wool/cashmere blends. My two most recent suits are at least 8% cashmere & the fabric is heavier, has a nice sheen to it (on my supers suits, I found that they too have developed a sheen, but not the good kind) & just looks better, when compared to some of my other 100% wools, making some of the patterned woolens look printed even, in that they seem flat. For instance: Wool/Cashmere - Wool

Wool/Cashmere - Wool

So I have been replacing my suits with ones that are wool/cashmere but before I go all the way with this, are there any downsides to cashmere blends? Like more prone to wear in those areas such as elbows & between the legs? I have not yet risen to the unfunded liabilities level, but I'm hoping to get some good input.

 

[Will]

Mine don't hold a trouser crease. I'm not getting any more.

 

[kenmoor123]

Cashmere is weak fabric. It's not suitable for pants.

 

[apropos]

Originally Posted by Will

Mine don't hold a trouser crease. I'm not getting any more.
Cuff your pants - it will help with holding a crease.

 

[Sator]

This 20 Oz worsted wool and 15% cashmere lounge has no problems with holding a crease:

In fact, the creases could hardly be sharper. Turn ups do not help with the crease line of the trousers, although the extra weight can improve the drape. However, any cloth so light that it needs the assistance of turn ups on the trousers so that they drape correctly is highly dubious.

 

[tokyodandy]

Originally Posted by Will

Mine don't hold a trouser crease. I'm not getting any more.
Interesting, my latest suit is a wool-cashmere blend and that has problems holding a crease too! Hmm...

TD

 

[bjm]

I love wool cashmere blend for suits. As you say the cloth looks and feels better than 100% wool. It also drapes better which gives a better looking fit IMO. It may not hold a crease as well but that is outweighed for me by the other factors. FWIW I have a 100% cashmere RLPL suit that is holding up wonderfully. I think the convential wisdom that cashmere doesnt wear well is often overstated.

 

[bigbris1]

Mine hold their creases very well. I'm actually wearing flannel Green Label trousers today & just looked down & the crease is still sharp, despite being thrown about after a couple of wearings already.

I have noticed that the backs of the suit coats can wrinkle a bit, especially after a drive.

My main question centers around durability though.

I just bought a replacement for the light glen pictured above in 8% cashmere.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by kenmoor123

Cashmere is weak fabric. It's not suitable for pants.

I disagree, unless we are talking a very high cashmere content and even then, a quality fabric will not do you wrong.

Originally Posted by Sator

This 20 Oz worsted wool and 15% cashmere lounge has no problems with holding a crease:

3 piece in only 20oz worsted? I hope that is strictly a summer lounge suit.

 

[itsstillmatt]

The fact that your wool things look wimpy has everything to do with the wool you have chosen, and not the qualities of wool in general. That said, a little cashmere is fine, I think.

 

[Manton]

I try to avoid cashmere mostly because I don't think it adds anything, and I don't want to pay for it.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by Manton

I try to avoid cashmere mostly because I don't think it adds anything, and I don't want to pay for it.

small timer

 

[culverwood]

The moths ate my cashmere!

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by Sator

This 20 Oz worsted wool and 15% cashmere lounge has no problems with holding a crease:

In fact, the creases could hardly be sharper. Turn ups do not help with the crease line of the trousers, although the extra weight can improve the drape. However, any cloth so light that it needs the assistance of turn ups on the trousers so that they drape correctly is highly dubious.
From 1-5%, cashmere content in wool is simply a marketing technique which justifies a higher price. 6-19% cashmere content makes the fabric a little softer but also makes it weaker. At this level, the resultant softness is not worth the additional weakness and the price becomes much higher compared to 100% wool. I think this is the range where crease holding can become a concern. From 20% cashmere content on, you are looking at actual increased softness but really after 40% cashmere content, you might as well just spring for 100% worsted cashmere.

 

[bigbris1]

Originally Posted by iammatt

The fact that your wool things look wimpy has everything to do with the wool you have chosen, and not the qualities of wool in general. That said, a little cashmere is fine, I think.

This is true. Just "wool" isn't enough anymore

What other identifiers can I search for in cases where I can touch the fabric? Currently my searches include cashmere, flannel & heavy.