On the rare days, we have cold weather here in Los Angeles, I always turn to cashmere sweaters because they are soft, comfortable, and luxurious. I’m also a woman over 50, with a muffin top so I don’t want to add extra bulk. A cashmere sweater is thinner than other sweaters, is elegant, and keeps you just as warm.
The trick to finding a flattering cashmere sweater depends on your body shape.
Quince sells sustainable Mongolian wool cashmere in a variety of stunning colors.
I love this sleek silk/cashmere blend turtleneck sweater from Lilysilk.
Amazon also offers beautiful cashmere sweaters. This Amazon Essentials V-neck sweater is a classic and is elegant. It comes in a variety of colors.
Style matters when you have an imperfect body
Most women over 50 are not model-thin and have bulges. If that is you, avoid baggy, formless sweaters that only make you look larger.
A cashmere pullover is usually thin enough to French Tuck, which creates an optical illusion and makes your legs look longer with pants or a skirt. Large busts look better in a V neck but for more warmth wear a thin turtleneck underneath it so that the V creates an illusion that better defines your assets.
Be careful with drop shoulders common in sweaters because they don’t look as well on certain figures. A structured sweater is more flattering if you have more bulk in the bust or stomach.
A dark cardigan over a light top and bottom helps hide figure flaws in the hips and stomach depending on its length.
How to take care of cashmere
According to Martha Stewart, you don’t have to dry clean your cashmere sweaters. You can handwash them using wool soap or a small amount of shampoo. Or, put them in a mesh bag and toss them in the delicate wash cycle. Don’t overwash your sweaters as it damages the wool and NEVER put them in the dryer. Gently pat them into a ball and lie them on a towel to dry.
Martha washes her sweaters at the beginning and end of the season unless a spill requires immediate attention.
Cashmere tends to pill so you may want to purchase a cashmere sweater care set to help you keep your sweater in tip-top shape. It includes a cashmere comb and two cedar balls so your drawers will smell fresh and repel moths.
I wear cashmere all winter. I have a sleeveless long torso sweater that I wear daily.
It sounds elegant, Sunny. How nice!