A. Although it's difficult to pick out agood sweater on your own, a keen eye and attention to detail can guide you to asuperior selection.

Step 1: Check the labels. The Federal TradeCommission mandates that cashmere products be accurately labeled. Only purecashmere sweaters can be labeled "100 Percent Cashmere." If thesweater is a blend, the manufacturer is required to state the percentage ofcashmere and the percentage of other fibers. If you don't see a tag indicatingthe fiber content, walk away.

Step 2: Always buy from a label you trust.Large department stores and clothing companies are more likely to test theirgarments thoroughly for quality. Steer away from buying sweaters at smallstores that don't have a great selection. If you're buying cashmere, it'sbetter to go to large, reputable department stores, reputable retailers, andreputable online boutiques. If it's one store selling one kind of cashmere at avery low price, you should be wary. The big retailers have laboratories to testall their sweaters for authenticity and quality.

Step 3: Look for a tight knit. The looserthe cashmere is woven or knitted, the more suspicious you need to be.

Step 4: Does the sweater feel slippery?this can often be an indication of over processing, which may result in agarment that will quickly lose its shape.

Step 5: Beware of too much pill potential.Lightly rub the surface of a garment with the palm of your hand and see iffibers begin to roll up and or shed. This is an indication that there might beexcess short-fiber content.

Step 6: Look for vibrant colors andfashionable styles. When you see an intense vibrancy in color that means thatthe yarn started off very clean in its raw state and that the dying process wastop quality.

Step 7: For warm sweaters, look for atleast two plies. A minimum of two plies means that more than one piece of yarnwere twisted together to make the garment. This ultimately means more warmthand a stronger sweater that is less likely to pop a hole.