Some women are surprised to hear that cashmere has a relevance in their wardrobes across all four seasons – it’s by no means just a winter warmer.
Cashmere is a natural, breathable fibre, so it can regulate our body temperatures, keeping us cosy in the cold weather and cool in the heat. I always pack a couple of key summer styles from my collections when I’m travelling – cashmere is so lightweight it’s ideal for capsule wardrobes. Whether I’m walking around in the midday sunshine or having a coffee outside a breezy seaside café, cashmere is the quintessential transitional piece, working perfectly for every type of weather with a little clever styling.
For versatility, the Pinta cardigan is always part of my holiday edit. Cardigans are such hero pieces in a woman’s wardrobe – it’s funny to think they were once considered frumpy. But since making their catwalk comeback a few years ago, coupled with actress Katie Holmes’ appearance in a matching cashmere cardigan and bra in 2019, they’ve become an absolute fashion favourite. Worn open, closed or casually draped over shoulders, they bring a nonchalance to outfits that suggests an effortlessness we’d all like to radiate.
The Atriona sweater is a classic crew-neck, but I wanted to add interest to this wear-anywhere piece with a two-tone design. Again, I created it in two colourways. Firstly, Lunar, finished with contrasting ribbed cuffs and shoulder inserts in Butternut; and Sienna, complemented by shoulders and cuffs in Finch. Despite its minimal detailing and relaxed fit, the Atriona feels elevated and directional.
With its super-light cashmere yarn, the Honey sweater is a summer failsafe. I adopted the same two-tone approach when designing this piece, but I added extra drama with a statement silhouette and textured honeycomb weave, so it could chicly take me from a local market to a luxury cocktail bar.
The structured neckline and extra-long ribbed cuff sleeves, which give the knit a theatrical ballooning effect, create a sculptural shape that acts as a stylish counterpoint to the pillow-soft yarn.
Sports-luxe is a theme that regularly runs through my collections, because for busy women in search of a sophisticated day-to-day uniform, it strikes just the right balance between laid-back and pulled-together.
Mary’s hoodie offers a beautifully feminine take on a traditionally utilitarian item, creating a juxtaposition that feels fresh and modern. This style of sumptuous sportswear is ideal to wear when travelling, paired with track or palazzo pants, but it’s versatile enough to wear to a wine bar. Just replace the pants with a full skirt and you’ve got an elegant, contemporary outfit that suggests an inherent confidence in your own style.
Creating beautiful, timeless pieces that last a lifetime is at the heart of Castanea cashmere. I believe the pieces we buy for our holidays should be as smart an investment as a winter coat or luxury handbag, so this holiday edit will serve you for many summers and escapes to come. Sustainability and great style can go hand in hand.
Love Paula x
