I'm recommending these £30 M&S cashmere socks to all my friends - they're machine washable and the ultimate little luxury

There's something about cashmere that instantly adds a bit of luxury to an everyday item like socks or jumpers, but it's not always the most practical purchase - or the most affordable. As lovely as cashmere is, I don't have time for an elaborate laundry routine most days.

Happily, M&S just solved both problems with their £30 Pure Cashmere Socks. A customer favourite, they're back for autumn/winter, and they're already selling fast, so I quickly snapped up two pairs.

I admit, I never thought I'd wax lyrical about a pair of socks, but these really are a little treat for your feet. They're available in six different colours (I went for classic black and pale blue); they're 100% cashmere, and unlike a lot of similar socks you'll find elsewhere, they're machine washable.

For comparison, The White Company's ever-popular cashmere bed socks - of which I'm a huge fan - are £40, but they're hand wash only. Honestly, I'd say the M&S are just as soft and luxurious, but the easy care and more justifiable price tag (let's face it, £30 for one pair of socks is still a lot!), make them a particularly tempting buy.

Despite being the kind of cosy accessory I'd usually save for properly cold weather, I couldn't wait to try mine out this week. I actually wore them out when it was deceptively hot (24 degrees!), but I didn't overheat, proving they're a very breathable style.

They look particularly good peeking out for a pair of Birkenstock Boston clogs, meaning you can get a lot of longevity out of your autumnal shoes, plus they'd feel dreamy inside a pair of boots or trainers.

Customer reviews are glowing, too. One wrote: "Warm, cosy, soft, and surprisingly hard wearing. I have neuropathy in my feet and struggle to keep my feet warm in bed but these actually do. As they’re pure cashmere I had worried that they might ‘pill’ and wear out easily but they’re actually really good. I’ve hand washed them."

Another added: "Now I know why people like cashmere socks. Bliss to put on after a long walk or hard exercise. Feet feel loved."

If you're looking for a relatively affordable Christmas gift that feels more expensive than £30, I wouldn't leave these sitting in your shopping basket for long. Be warned, though, if you're trying to tick gifts off your to-do list - one reviewer wrote: "Bought as a Christmas present and decided to keep them for myself"

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