Design studio
Cashmere colours: how do you find your way around?
In its natural state, cashmere comes in three colours: grey, brown and white.
Maison Eric Bompard essentially selects white cashmere fibre, which is reputed to be of superior fineness and quality to grey and brown fibres.
As the treatment that the fibre receives determines the quality of the cashmere wool obtained, Maison Eric Bompard favours natural dyes, free from toxic products, which respect the purity of cashmere and the environment.
This perfect command of the dyeing technique allows us to create a rich colour range which, since the launch of the Eric Bompard brand, has included more than 2,000 colours. Including exclusive or very rare mottled colours, such as mottled pink and blue.
The different types of cashmere knits: ply and gauge
In addition to the type and care taken with the cashmere fibre, it is the number of plies used, the gauge and assaying that determine the quality of a cashmere garment or accessory.
THE NUMBER OF PLIES
The number of plies determine the density of the material. It’s a good indicator when looking at how to tell cashmere quality or how to choose a cashmere sweater. A 4-ply cashmere pullover is thick, cosy and feels incredibly warm and soft.
The use of 4 ply (or more) cashmere wool and a particularly tight knitting technique give Maison Eric Bompard pullovers incomparable softness, warmth and strength.
The thermoregulatory qualities of cashmere can also be expressed in the warm season thanks to 2 ply cashmere wool or, for an even lighter garment, by combining it with 30% silk as in our essential extrafine cardigans or our oversize boat neck pullovers, absolutely essential in a summer wardrobe.
THE GAUGE OF CASHMERE
The gauge determines the spacing of the knits between them and thus the fineness of the garment. A 12 gauge knitwear (the highest) guarantees a very tight and fine knit. A three gauge knitwear, on the other hand, has a thick texture.
THE ASSAYING OF THE CASHMERE
Assaying defines the relationship between weight and length of the ply. While the most common assay on the market is 26, the 18 assay used by Maison Eric Bompard workshops allows us to achieve this exceptional quality, giving a "second skin" cashmere feel.
So how should you choose your cashmere sweater? Depending on the season, the atmosphere and your preferences, it becomes easy to find the perfect cashmere pullover: 4 ply 7 gauge for a warm and soft turtleneck pullover, 2 ply 12 gauge and 48 assay to combine elegance and lightness in summer...
The combination of the criteria of the number of plies, the gauge and the assay make it possible to choose the ideal cashmere pullover for every occasion.
Regardless of its technical characteristics, cashmere knitwear must be cared for properly. To allow the material to flourish and your favourite pullover to regain its original shape, take a look at our cashmere care tips.
The different mixtures of materials
While 100% cashmere or pure cashmere enables the creation of exceptional garments, the combination with other natural materials offers textiles with unique sensory and technical qualities.
Maison Eric Bompard offers top-of-the-range pure cashmere garments, but also pieces using blends with other materials, such as wool, silk, linen, and alpaca. Each material is chosen to complement and enhance the properties of cashmere.
Mixed with silk, cashmere’s shine is enhanced: the drape is impeccable, for a garment of rare elegance and lightness.
The mixture with sheep’s wool accentuates the organic character of cashmere and enhances the garments' amazing thermoregulatory qualities. The blend of linen and cashmere enables the creation of garments with a draped look and a lightness that is much sought after in spring and summer. Mixed with alpaca, cashmere takes on an even more light and airy feel.
Each type of cashmere or cashmere blend offers different sensory, thermal and aesthetic qualities. See our guide to choosing your cashmere for all seasons.
Why choose a cashmere garment?
A noble and rare material, quality cashmere provides us with durable high-end garments. Pieces with incomparable sensory and exceptional thermoregulatory qualities that adapt to the coldest climates or the highest temperatures, depending on their weave.
An exceptional, high-quality grade cashmere garment gets better with time. As it is washed, it becomes softer. Timeless, a Bompard cashmere becomes a key piece of a wardrobe and is passed on from generation to generation.
