A few weeks ago I kicked off a fun new series here at Seasons + Salt, the Double Duty series, where I am showcasing my closet workhorses for you guys. The premise of the series is simple: my life – according to clothes – falls into three main categories: DAILY (MOM) LIFE, FUN, and DRESSY. When an item pulls ‘double-duty’ and ticks off two (or more!) of these categories, it often ends up being a closet hero for me. This fall I’m sharing my favorites, and how they work for me!
Before I get into the details of my second double-duty item, I have to break it to you, the Cashmere Crop Sweater by Everlane is nearly sold out. It looks like there may be select sizes and colors in stock, like gray, charcoal, red, and the black and white speckled. However, the regular crewneck is available in lots of colors this year, and the square turtleneck looks pretty amazing.
Why It Works:
Fabric – This is my first ever foray into cashmere, and it is exceeding my expectations! It has quickly become my favorite type of sweater fabric, mostly for it’s versatility, which includes strength and beauty. (Sounds so over the top, but it’s true!) I never bought cashmere before because it was so expensive, but Everlane has managed to make cashmere garments responsibly, and sell them at a price that is very accessible. I bought this because I love the speckled fabric, but it is the softness and warmth that has won me over. I reach for this sweater very often because it keeps me warm, without the bulk of other fibers like wool or alpaca. This makes it so easy to layer under things, like a snug denim jacket or my favorite jumpsuit. The softness factor is better than I could have imagined. That is also probably why I wear it constantly. After several months of heavy use, it is starting to pill a little around the front, but that might have to do with the fact that I often have a large toddler in my arms. Thankfully, the speckled fabric makes it hardly noticeable.
Cut – The shape of this top is fun and playful and it lends itself well to multiple looks. That sentence is almost exactly what I wrote about my last double-duty item, and it rings true again! This year I have been learning how much unique garment shapes appeal to me. I love it when an item functions as a basic, with a cut that is anything but.
Easy Factor: 5/5 – I don’t think I would have ever believed this about cashmere a year ago, but it is a very easy fabric to wear and keep clean. I almost didn’t buy it because I was worried it was too delicate for my kid-centric lifestyle, but the truth is, it’s very durable! I always layer a tee with short-sleeves under mine (usually one of these) so I don’t have to worry about getting the sweater dirty if I sweat. But that’s not a concern very often because cashmere tends to breathe perfectly with my body temperature. I haven’t dry cleaned it, and I probably will wash it at home (as you guys suggested) when the time comes. (See review from March here, with laundering suggestions in the comments.) I actually like it so much I ordered a second cashmere sweater earlier in the fall! Apparently everyone else did too because it’s currently on backorder.
How I Styled It:
For ‘Daily (Mom) Life’:
[ denim jacket | cashmere crop sweater (M) | wide pants (on Garmentory, use my referral link for $20)| boots | necklace, c/o Loop Jewelry (there’s a giveaway on Instagram today!) | tote, old (love this!) ]
This is just one of the many ways I’ve styled this sweater in my daily life. I throw it on over almost everything! Long tops, short tops, dresses, it works almost every time. Plus, in the morning, when I’m tired, it’s the next closest thing to staying in my bed underneath my flannel sheets!
For ‘Fun’:
[ cocoon coat, c/o Only Child | cashmere crop sweater (M) | denim | boots, c/o Everlane | necklace, c/o Loop Jewelry | drawstring bag ]
And edition number two of the Double Duty series is on the books! Best of luck navigating your path of doing less with more in your closet. If you have a cozy cashmere sweater, examine your possibilities, there might be more options than you first thought.
Cheers,
Andrea
Bah I wish I had gotten one of these! My husband got me a cashmere cardigan for my birthday and it is AMAZING. So so soft and wonderful! Maybe I’ll look at the Cashmere cropped mockneck instead! I mostly want a cropped sweater so I can continue to wear some of my summer clothes. I’m now debating between the Brass one and the Everlane one.
Good luck! There are a lot of great options out there. I am interested in the cashmere cropped mockneck too, but the sleeves look so baggy!
Like you, I’m afraid of fabrics that aren’t a wash/dry type. But, maybe wearing a shirt under the sweater (like I imagine I’d always do) would solve the issue. I love the look and softness of cashmere. My husband has a cashmere crew from Everlane and I’m always snuggling up against him when he wears it.
Layering a soft tee underneath really helps save the sweater I think! Also, there’s a whole segment of people who swear you can handwash cashmere, and that it’s actually better than the harsh chemicals of dry cleaning. As for the spouse, the same things happens at my house! My husband always wants to snuggle when I wear the sweater, as you know, it’s crazy soft!
I have a couple Everlane cashmere sweaters, and I know it’s blasphemy, but I machine wash mine on delicate/cold with a gentle detergent (but always lay flat to dry). I don’t wash them very often, typically after several wears, so layering helps keep things fresh. It helps to order a size up to account for a bit of shrinking but I’ve found washing makes them fuzzier and softer. One of my sweaters is from their very first cashmere collection and it’s still going strong!
That’s awesome to hear! Which detergent do you use? And when you say fuzzier, do you mean pilly? I wonder if that is from the machine agitation?
That first outfit is simply perfection. I want to wear every bit of it! I think I wouldn’t have though to put the denim jacket with (I probably would’ve gone with the cocoon coat for the first outfit) but I LOVE the way it turned out. You learn something every day!
Thanks Julia! I think that’s one of the reasons why I love studying style so much, I truly learn something new every time I put my theoretical microscope on it!
PS – Swooning over your latest outfit! Those jeans! Those boots!
I love this series, keep ’em coming!
I’ve found that cashmere sweaters are one of the easiest things to find at thrift stores like Crossroads or Goodwill, and buying second hand really helps keep the price in the affordable range! Because the texture is so distinctive, it’s easy to run your hand over a whole rack of sweaters and pick out the cashmere ones immediately.
That’s such a smart idea, running my hand over a rack of whole sweaters. It totally makes sense. Cashmere would stand out for sure. Do you find you like the styles and fit of the cashmere you’re finding secondhand? It seems all too often thrifted sweaters have been accidentally shrunken!
I definitely have to be bit selective, but classic crew and v-neck styles (that aren’t shrunken) pop up relatively frequently if I’m diligent about looking. I’ve found nice secondhand cashmere by Everlane, Jil Sander, and J. Crew that I wear regularly! Sometimes if I see something that is a color or style I wouldn’t wear in real life, but still good quality, I buy it anyway to wear as loungewear or pajamas. Nothing keeps you cozier at night than a soft cashmere sweater.
Wow, those are some pretty impressive hauls!
Cashmere pajamas sound wonderful!
Love both looks, the fun one especially.
You look so refined and relaxed simultaneously. And you’re really rocking that raw denim too.
Thank you Emily, these comments mean a lot! Refined and relaxed – I’ll definitely take it! And these wide pants are about as comfy as yoga pants. No, scratch that, they are MORE comfy than yoga pants!
I’m a cashmere addict. Up to this point, I’ve thrifted everything, but I just bought the Everlane cashmere crew with shop credit.
I’m getting into alpaca as a more sustainable alternative to cashmere. It’s just as breathable, but has a slightly thicker texture.
I have never found it in a thrift store! But I am pretty sure I don’t have as much as access as you. ;) When you thrift it, do you still find you like the fit and styles? Did you get your Everlane cashmere crew yet? I’m curious which color and how you like it.
I like alpaca too. Though I find it to be a bit heavier than cashmere. But that just might be the garment I have.
I love the feel of cashmere but I’ve actually been avoiding it for the same reasons you used to – I was thinking it would be too delicate/finicky a fabric to take care of. I’ve even seen care tags on cashmere sweaters suggesting that they shouldn’t be worn everyday? But your post + people’s comments are reassuring, I’ll consider cashmere the next time I’m looking for a jumper.
I have been admiring this sweater for well over a year, but I’ve never gotten it because I tend to shy away from all things cropped. I’ve tried it before but even if it’s long enough on my super long torso, I just don’t really end up feeling comfortable and am tugging at it all day. This post is tempting me to try out the Everlane cashmere though! I’ve heard pretty good things about it!
I hope you find a sweater you love Savannah!
I wonder if you could post a picture of you actually moving around in it? Like when you pick up a kiddo, how much goes it gap away from your torso, if you’re lifting your arms to reach a shelf, how high does it raise up?
Great questions Anne! I ALWAYS wear a shirt tucked in underneath, so the lifting really isn’t an issue for me. But I’ll try to remember to share an action shot next time I wear this top!! Probably on instagram. :)
You inspired me to wear a sweater underneath my wool cardigan/coat. Felt so natural after the fact, but I never would have thought of that. Thanks!
Yay! That’s what I’m here for!! So glad it worked for you too!