Cashmere is a type of wool that is made from the hair of a certain type of goat native to the Gobi Desert and Central Asia. The hair is a soft undercoat that is mostly grown by these goats in cold winter weather and removed in the spring. Cashmere is considered an ultra-soft, luxurious, and expensive material, and it has been used in clothing and accessories for thousands of years, eventually becoming a luxury fashion material in Europe by the 19th century.

The process of making cashmere fabric involves several steps, including shearing, carding, spinning, and weaving. The finished cashmere yarn is woven into a textile product, such as scarves, vests, and sweaters. Cashmere can be dyed and spun into yarns and knitted into jumpers (sweaters), hats, gloves, socks, and other clothing, or woven into fabrics then cut and assembled into garments such as outer coats, jackets, trousers (pants), pajamas, scarves, blankets, and other items.

It is important to note that cashmere comes from goat hair, which makes it an animal byproduct. The cashmere industry has been criticized for its treatment of goats, as they are frequently shorn in midwinter, at a time when they need their coats the most, and as a result, the vulnerable animals can die of cold stress. Therefore, conscious consumers may want to avoid new cashmere and opt for more eco-friendly and ethical alternatives.