The True Price of Affordable Cashmere: Unveiling Hidden Costs

The rise in cheap cashmere has come at a hidden cost of environmental degradation and poorer-quality clothes. Increased demand for cashmere has led to a significant increase in the number of cashmere goats, resulting in habitat degradation and lower quality fibers. To compensate for the lower cost, some herders have increased their herd sizes, perpetuating the cycle. Landscape ecologist Ginger Allington suggests wearing other fibers or opting for vintage cashmere to reduce the demand for unsustainable cashmere production.