The only downside with this cashmere base layer is that the fabric is finicky. One of my friends has consistently bought this style for the past several years, and told me, “I love it, but I don’t think it ages well. Starts to look worn out after a year, even washing on delicate and air drying.”
While the top is machine-washable, given her feedback, I took to hand-washing mine. It sounds like a hassle, but the top really scrunches up into almost nothing, and I was able to soak two of them in a large mixing bowl with a drop of detergent. After letting everything sit for a few hours, I rinsed and rung them out—at no cost to the shape, it appears, and let them hang dry. I suspect that this will be the key to fabric longevity.
The Bottom Line
At $65, Intimissimi’s cashmere top is definitely a luxe pick compared to my $10 thermals. However, given its breathability and slimmer profile, I do prefer layering this under my clothes as it’s much more comfortable. The bevy of colors also give it the opportunity to be a part of your wardrobe instead of just an invisible layer, if you want to style it that way. While I’m not going to line my closet with them, I think having a staple one or two is a great option as winter transitions to spring and we want to ditch our coats. I suspect my fellow New Yorkers would say the same.