Best Buy Cashmere Sweaters
The quality and limited supply of cashmere fiber, however, does mean traditional cashmere is quite expensive. If you're looking for more affordable alternatives to luxury cashmere, there are a number of brands, including up-and-coming startups, that let you enjoy this cozy knit for less.
best buy cashmere sweaters
This clothing company only has two styles of cashmere sweaters (crewneck or V-neck), but there's plenty of variety when it comes to sizing. As "the world's most inclusive fashion brand," Universal Standard offers sizes 00-40 throughout its entire lineup, from jeans to dresses.
If sustainability is a top concern, Naadam is about to become your new favorite sweater brand. Its hand-combed cashmere is produced in facilities powered by 100% clean energy, and the brand pays herders "50% more than traditional traders."
In addition to pure cashmere, the brand offers blended knits like wool cashmere, modal cashmere, and recycled cashmere. There's a wide variety of styles and color options, as well as a size range of XXS to XXL.
Everlane, our favorite place to buy all kinds of basics, offers subtle updates on traditional cashmere sweater styles with a great price tag. Everlane's Grade-A cashmere from Mongolia runs from $110 to $230 in sizes XXS to XL. The most popular and versatile style, The Cashmere Crew, is one of the cheapest and best options, and former senior reporter Mara Leighton calls it the backbone of her fall and winter wardrobe.
For State Cashmere founder, Hao Rone, cashmere isn't just any fabric. It's a major part of his heritage and life story. Rone comes from a family of shepherds in Inner Mongolia and brings this passion and age-old knowledge to every cashmere piece in his brand. Priced between $90 and $210 and offering sizes XS-XL, the brand's line of cashmere has everything from short sleeve options to asymmetrical sweaters.
J.Crew is your one-stop shop for fun and delightful cashmere sweaters that go beyond your average camel-colored pullovers. Yes, you can take your pick of classic colors at J.Crew's Cashmere Shop, but if it's a bright or unique color you crave, you're still in the right place.
This trendy brand puts sustainability at the forefront by offsetting carbon emissions and recycling or donating textile scraps. Their Conscious Cashmere line offers fashion-forward pieces like cropped sweaters as well as timeless basics like turtlenecks and cardigans.
If you're willing to invest a little more (e.g. $250-$350), check out a brand beloved by the Reviews team, Cuyana. Cuyana's tight curation and emphasis on high-quality materials has to do with its commitment to responsible practices. Its single-origin cashmere is certified by the Responsible Cashmere Standard, which ensures 3rd-party verified responsible animal and land husbandry. It also makes recycled cashmere produced under the Global Recycle Standard.
Known for its affordable basics, Uniqlo has a small but mighty line of cashmere sweaters. The four current offerings (which consist of three turtlenecks and one crew neck option) are all on sale, under $100, and come in both neutral and bold colors. The brand's sizing ranges from XXS-XXL.
Quince is a minimalist's dream, offering up gorgeous, classic cashmere pieces for wallet-friendly prices. It'is home to the cozy $50 Cashmere Crew, which, unlike other cashmere crews, is more fitted, making it perfect for tucking into jeans and skirts.
If you're looking to splurge on a truly unique piece, Leret Leret's whimsical designs and high quality construction are well worth the investment. The luxury shop specializes exclusively in cashmere and offers a slew of memorable designs while also offering simpler patterns, like stripes or checkers. Each $475-$575 sweater is a limited-edition piece, so be sure to grab your favorite while you can. The sweaters are available in sizes XXS to XXL.
Former editor Ashley Phillips said she wore the Quinn Cashmere Hoodie multiple times a week, and most of Italic's cashmere sweaters are produced by the same makers as two of her favorite French brands, Sandro and Maje.
Frances Austen was founded with the intention of creating heritage cashmere that can be worn for a lifetime and passed down to the next generation. The sweaters are made in Scotland at the storied Johnston of Elgins cashmere factory using Italian-spun yarn.
Though Patagonia is probably not the first place you think of to buy quality cashmere, but it's actually a great option if you're committed to sustainable shopping. Patagonia fans will already know the brand is leaning more into recycled materials, and this trend extends to its cashmere sweaters.
Patagonia cashmere is made in a European garment factory where scraps are broken down, spun into new yarn, and knit with 5% virgin wool, bringing new life to old clothes. Their three styles (cardigan, long cardigan, or crewneck) are available in sizes XS-XL.
This guide is focused on sweaters designed for cisgender women. What the industry calls "women's sweaters" has everything to do with the fit, shape, and style of these pieces. Sweaters designed for women tend to be smaller and less boxy than those designed for men. However, we think anyone should feel free to wear any type of sweater, regardless of gender or how the clothing is labeled. If you're more interested in a boxy, oversized style, you might want to shop for cashmere sweaters designed for men.
The substantial 7-gauge cashmere construction (meaning it has a tighter knit) gives this sweater a bit of heft and a chunky texture you can see, though it can still be worn under a coat. The cashmere is perfectly soft against the skin and feels substantial without any itch whatsoever. The knit is notably durable, too, with no hint of unraveling at the collar, hem, or cuffs. For our tester, the cuffs were extra long and hit well past the wrists; although that could be annoying for some people, our tester simply rolled them up once, and the hefty knit kept them securely in place. The shoulders have the most prominent fully fashioned seams we saw on any sweater, a sign of good quality. The cropped cut also helps with airflow, which comes in handy during warmer months, when the heavy knit may feel too warm.
Do Leret Leret cashmere sweaters feel two to four times more luxurious than their counterparts? No, but the subjective appeal of fashion is often more emotional than rational, and they deliver that unique feeling of wearing something truly special.
Gauge refers to the density of the knit and the weight of the sweater. The higher the gauge number, the more open-knit and lightweight the sweater. Most cashmere sweaters (and many of our picks) are made to 7-gauge (7GG) and 12-gauge (12GG) specifications. If you hold up a 12-gauge cashmere sweater to a light, you can see through it.
We also recommend investing in a long-handled boar-bristle cashmere brush to remove lint, fuzz, and dust between wears and washes. For stray pills, use a sweater comb, a small accessory designed to glide across taut sweater surfaces (video) and gently remove pills without damaging the knit.
Cashmere is a naturally delicate material (this is part of why it's so enjoyable to wear), so it's very sensitive to being washed or dried incorrectly. Even washing cashmere in warm water can cause it to shrink (hot water is even worse, of course), as an article on the site Sewing Is Cool, explains. Stick to washing the cashmere in cold weather and avoid dryers and you should be good, though.
As with any sweater, never store your cashmere sweaters on hangers as it could cause the items to stretch out over time and affect their shape/fit. Instead, neatly fold them and store them flat in a drawer or on a shelf.
Waldman also suggests adding a cedar square to your sweater drawer as an alternative to mothballs, which are traditionally used to keep pests out of wool and other natural fiber clothing. Waldman also says to make sure to tell your dry cleaner to always fold the sweaters flat for pick-up (instead of placing them on a hanger with other items).
A cashmere sweater is a wardrobe essential, and an ideal choice to bolster your capsule wardrobe. Comfy enough for off-duty days, yet smart enough to wear to the office (just add tailored pants), a cashmere sweater makes any look feel instantly pulled together. The best cashmere sweaters will become one of the most versatile knitwear pieces you own and certainly count towards your best sweaters collection. Team it with your best leggings at weekends, and wear it over a silky dress on chilly evenings. Gorgeous cashmere sweaters add luxe-factor to your loungewear too.
RRP: $259 / 179 The White Company makes adjusting to fall weather easy. From scented candles to the best slippers, the brand knows how to keep us feeling toasty. This sumptuous roll neck, cashmere sweater will go with everything.
RRP: $210 / 150 A capsule wardrobe hero, this striped sweater in cheery hues will easily up-style winter-ready looks. A consistent print trend, whatever the season, this cashmere round neck iteration is one that you can love for years to come.
RRP: $169 (international shipping available) Slim fit sweaters are just right when working out how to style a slip dress for your upcoming new season looks. This contour-hugging knit will sit close to the body and prevent any lumps and bumps under clothes.
RRP: $295 / 195 A dip in temperature means we're likely to spend time at home. One of the best hoodies, this star printed piece can be worn with your best joggers for downtime or styled up, half tucked into an A-line skirt.
RRP: $129.90 / 109.90 Knitted in 3D this cashmere sweater is seamless for a contoured fit. Easily styled under your best dresses for a cozy extra layer, or try it as the answer to what to wear over a dress, this look will be smooth and unfussy.
RRP: $249 (US only) One of the best plus size clothing brands, Henning makes luxe basics for fuller figures. This classic cashmere-cotton blend sweater is available up to a 4X and is easily dressed up for the 9-5 or down for the weekend. 041b061a72