When deciding which sweater to wear, one has to think about the event you are attending. Whether you are aiming for comfort, or durability, or both, will play a hand in the type of wool your suit or sport coat should be. Wool garments have been a staple in clothing since the creation of clothing. Unlike Harris Tweed and other coarse wool materials, cashmere not only trumps standard wool in fashion, but also in comfort. For a heavier, more durable outfit, a heavier wool would be your best bet. If you are dressing with comfort in mind, cashmere is the way to go. With a lighter, more breathable material, you will find your cashmere suit is the one you always turn to when needing to dress up.

Cashmere comes from goats, specifically Kashmir goats, rather than your standard sheep. The fibrous strands from these goats are 6 times finer than human hair, and when woven together create a sublime material to please all your senses. Once cashmere was only found in the northernmost reaches of India, but can now be found around the world.

Cashmere is finer, stronger, lighter, softer, and much more insulating than sheep wool. These attributes make the material common to be found in sweaters, socks, scarves and other such clothing items.

Cashmere can also be found in high end suiting, to add to its comfort and elegance. Brands like Kiton, Brioni, and Ermenegildo Zegna use this deluxe material to create comfortable, timeless pieces.