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Zoe Vanderweide is a writer focused on style and accessories. She has personally tested nearly 300 bags, jeans, bras, shoes, and more. Knit Fabric Price
In October 2023, we did a new round of testing, looking at four under-$100 cashmere sweaters. We’ve added the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (women’s and men’s) to the “Other good cashmere sweaters” section.
Incomparably soft and wonderfully indulgent, a great cashmere sweater is a welcome and worthy addition to any wardrobe. It’s also an investment—so finding one that looks great, feels comfortable, and will last a long time is especially important.
We tested 25 cashmere sweaters—ranging in price from $50 to $500 each—and came away with six favorites. Our recommendations include an under-$100 men’s and women’s crewneck; a toasty under-$200 women’s turtleneck; a rugged men’s sweater blended with a hint of wool; a stylishly boxy women’s sweater; a long, lightweight women’s cardigan, and a splurge-worthy unisex sweater with personality to spare.
With a soft feel and a slim yet comfortable fit, this classic crewneck is the perfect entry point into the world of cashmere. You can expect it to develop some fuzz, but the quality is exceptional for the price.
With a soft feel and a slim yet comfortable fit, this classic crewneck is the perfect entry point into the world of cashmere. You can expect it to develop some fuzz, but the quality is exceptional for the price.
Naadam’s The Original Cashmere Sweater (men’s and women’s) is the rare find in this category that actually costs less than $100. But its reasonable price tag is far from the only draw: This light-to-medium-weight crewneck also has a classic, timeless look, a fit that’s slim and flattering without being clingy, well-executed details, and a buttery-soft feel.
Note: This sweater has been a pick in our guide since 2020. It was previously called The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater; in October 2023, Naadam renamed it The Original Cashmere Sweater and increased the price by around $20. Otherwise, the sweater is the same.
It’s soft, smooth, and cozy. The Original sweater’s material feels pricier than it is: supple and smooth, without the slippery, chemically treated texture of some other lower-priced cashmere we tested. The knit is light yet cozy, with some slight fuzziness and enough density to keep out a chilly breeze. On a 60-degree autumn day, the Original sweater was warm enough on its own for a walk around New York City; in the deep of winter, it’s perfect as an extra layer that isn’t bulky beneath a coat.
It has a classic fit that’s slim but not tight. This is a simple and timeless crewneck; though its silhouette is long and slim, it still has plenty of room for you to comfortably layer a shirt under it. Our female and male testers both appreciated that the Original sweater was slightly slouchy without being sloppy.
It’s well constructed, especially for the price. Whereas most lower-priced cashmere is rife with cut corners, the Original sweater’s quality rivals that of sweaters costing twice as much. It has fully fashioned marks at the shoulders—small rows of upraised reinforcements—indicating that the garment has been constructed in a higher-quality (and more labor-intensive) way than simple cutting and sewing. The ribbed hems around the neck, cuffs, and waist are well finished, which also bodes well for this sweater’s longevity.
The cashmere quality is remarkably good. The Original sweater is made from fine, long-fiber Grade A cashmere, with a 12-gauge knit and two-ply yarn. It’s combed from the coats of Zalaa Jinst white goats in Mongolia, a breed prized for its light but warm cashmere fiber. The brand’s transparency about the source of its cashmere is refreshing for a sweater at this price.
After we hand-washed the Original sweater, it emerged with a noticeable increase in surface fluff—probably a sign that the sweater’s long cashmere fibers are blended with shorter, more fluff-prone ones. Regardless, the cashmere performed well in our tests. When we tugged on the sweater’s sleeve, the knit quickly sprang back into shape. And it took prolonged and vigorous rubbing with our fingers to produce a tiny pill—in part, thanks to a “proprietary finishing technique” that Naadam uses to reduce pilling. (Note: All cashmere will pill eventually; you can reduce pilling with proper care and remove existing pills with a cashmere comb.)
Sizes: men’s XXS to XXL; women’s XXS to XXL
Colors: 10 to 25, depending on the season
This stylish turtleneck feels soft, supple, and much pricier than it is, and its long ribbed cuffs and collar make it extra cozy. We wish it came in more sizes, though—the largest is an XL—and it goes out of stock often.
There’s nothing quite so cozy as being enveloped by thick, luxurious cashmere all the way up to your chin. That’s just what the women’s Italic Emma Cashmere Relaxed Turtleneck Sweater does, keeping out the cold with its slightly slouchy turtleneck and deliciously soft knit. And while we’d expect to pay a pretty penny for this combination of quality, warmth, and style, the Emma sweater is surprisingly well priced at under $200.
Note: Italic previously required a paid membership to purchase its merchandise; happily, that is no longer the case.
It feels pricier than it is. The Emma sweater’s Grade A Mongolian cashmere feels supple and high-end, in contrast to some similar, reasonably priced cashmere sweaters we tried that seemed artificially smooth, likely because they were treated with chemical softeners. The Emma sweater’s material looks refined, bounces back quickly when stretched, and produces very little fuzz. Like all cashmere, it has the potential to pill, but ours settled into a smooth finish after a couple of wears.
It’s extra toasty. The Emma sweater is made with a seven-gauge knit, and it’s thicker and warmer than many others that we tried. Its turtleneck offers the ultimate in coziness: You can unroll it up to the chin for extra coverage or double it over to protect against the chill. And the sweater’s generous ribbing, along the hem and cuffs, helps seal out cold air.
It’s comfy, stylish, and flattering. Whereas some turtlenecks can feel restrictive, the Emma sweater is easy, contemporary, and wearable. The collar isn’t overly tight, the body is relaxed, and the arms are slightly fitted, with long cuffs.
This is a thoughtfully constructed sweater, with raglan sleeves (which are attached to the body diagonally) creating a smooth fit at the shoulder. And because the sleeves are fully fashioned—meaning that the pieces are knit, not sewn, together—they lie perfectly flat. They look great whether you leave them down or push them up, and they stay in place thanks to springy, high-quality ribbing.
You can buy this sweater with an Italic membership—or not. When we first tested the Emma sweater, Italic’s business model required customers to have a paid membership to shop. Now the membership is optional. If you do decide to sign up, it costs $60 per year, which gives you $60 in annual merchandise credit—$15 immediately, and then another $15 every three months—free shipping and returns, and access to exclusive sales.
Sizes: women’s XS to XL
This thick and warm men’s sweater offers the comfort of cashmere plus the extra durability of 5% wool. It has a classic, comfortable cut that’s casually elegant, though it isn’t quite as polished as some of our other picks.
Soft and luxurious, yes. Rugged? Not what typically comes to mind when we think of cashmere. And yet, the Patagonia Men’s Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweater is all of the above. This medium-weight sweater’s classic fit and unusual durability—it contains 5% wool for added strength—make it feel less precious than our other picks. It’s the one we’d toss into a backpack for a weeklong trip abroad or layer under a ski jacket for snowy adventures.
It’s especially durable. Unlike our other, all-cashmere picks, this sweater is made from 95% recycled cashmere—spun from pre-consumer cashmere scraps sourced from European factories, so it has a lower ecological impact than virgin cashmere—and 5% wool. While cashmere is undoubtedly a softer material, wool is both thicker and more naturally elastic. The result of this blend: a substantial, slightly fuzzy knit that feels far more indulgent than wool alone—without any hint of itch—but hardier than 100% cashmere.
The sweater’s hefty, resilient fabric seems less likely to tear or stretch over time compared with that of the other sweaters we tested, and its reinforced, fully fashioned sleeves also bode well for its longevity. In our tests, after a few weeks of wear, the comfortably snug ribbed collar still looked good as new, even with our tester’s (rather large) head repeatedly popping through.
It seals in warmth. The seven-gauge, two-ply knit of the Recycled Cashmere Crewneck did a great job of retaining body heat when we wore it on what passes for a cold autumn morning in Southern California; it’s ideal for layering while you’re exploring a city, hiking a trail, or even snowboarding. We were especially thankful for the sturdy, resilient ribbing around the collar, cuffs, and hem, which firmly seals out chilly air.
It has a slightly relaxed, just-right fit. This is a classic crewneck-style sweater—not too tight, not too loose. It fits true to size, with plenty of room for the wearer to move freely and enough leeway to accommodate broad shoulders and an athletic build. The sleeves of a size medium hit just past the wrists of our 5-foot-9 male tester, but the cuffs are long enough to roll up if necessary. We also like the sweater’s snug but comfortable ribbed neck.
Though this sweater skews more casual than our other picks, it still looks put together: It would be just as well suited for a nice evening out as it would for a brisk hike.
Sizes: men’s XS to XXL
This stylish women’s cashmere sweater has a satisfying ribbed texture and beautiful knit detailing. The boxy cut is versatile and flattering, with a dropped shoulder and slightly cropped length—just be aware that the extra-long sleeves may need to be rolled up.
If your cold-weather wardrobe needs a little je ne sais quoi, the women’s La Ligne Mini Toujours Sweater could be just the thing. With its chic, boxy silhouette and sumptuous ribbed knit, this slightly cropped crew has an easygoing elegance. Yes, it’s pricey—but this sweater’s thick, luxurious cashmere and durable construction will last for many years to come. Plus, it’s available in lots of solid colors as well as striped options to suit a variety of tastes.
The boxy, slightly cropped shape is effortlessly chic. The Mini sweater has a dropped shoulder and unusually long arms; the body of the sweater is a bit cropped, measuring 19.5 inches in length for a size XS and 21.5 inches for a size XL. The effect is easy and casually elegant—think Parisian girl style—the kind of sweater that looks just as great with beat-up jeans and sneakers as it does with a silk skirt and heels.
On our 5-foot-9 female tester, the Mini sweater’s lower hem hit right around the waist; she found the size small “just right.” The long sleeves covered her hands, but they’re easy to roll up—the hefty knit keeps them securely in place—and we thought the cuffed sleeves worked with the sweater’s unforced vibe.
If a shorter cut isn’t your speed, La Ligne also makes full-length and turtleneck versions of this sweater, which we have not tested.
It’s warm, luxurious, and substantial. This thick, ribbed sweater is perfectly soft against the skin, without any itch whatsoever. It’s also one of our warmest picks: It has a seven-gauge, two-ply construction and a chunkier knit, with some welcome texture and heft. But it’s not too bulky; you can still layer it comfortably under a coat.
It’s durably constructed. The Mini sweater’s substantial knit is resilient and springy; we saw no hint of stretching or unraveling at the collar, hem, or cuffs. And its prominent, fully fashioned shoulder seams—which show that the pieces of the sweater have been knit, rather than cut and sewn, together—are both an eye-catching design detail and a sign of lasting, quality construction.
Sizes: women’s XS to 3X
Flattering and luxurious, this airy and delicate open-front cashmere cardigan offers a layer of warmth without the weight. It comes in the most limited size range (women’s XS to L) of any of our picks.
Cashmere is too yummy to be reserved for just the colder months. If you’re looking for a cashmere sweater that you can layer year-round, White + Warren’s Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan—long, drapey, and open in the front—is a stylish option that feels nearly weightless. In our testing, it was one of the sweaters we reached for most often—the sort of piece you might throw on “just in case” before heading out the door. Since the knit of this sweater is so airy and delicate, it is important to treat this sweater with care, especially since it’s far from cheap.
It’s an easy, versatile layer. The Trapeze Cardigan is light enough to wear in all seasons. On a cool summer evening, it adds a breathable layer of warmth; in the chillier months, it’s perfect under a coat or jacket and won’t add bulk. No matter the weather, it adds a subtle, luxurious vibe to any ensemble.
It has a long, drapey fit. True to its name, the Trapeze Cardigan has a flowy, open-front cut that cascades beautifully down the body. (Depending on how tall you are, it’s likely to land around your mid-thigh.) The shawl collar feels breezy and elegant, and the close-fitting sleeves keep the sweater from looking too voluminous. Unfortunately, the Trapeze Cardigan comes in fewer sizes—women’s XS to L—than any of our other picks. And if you’re planning to wear it over long-sleeve tops, we recommend sizing up, since the arms are cut pretty slim.
It’s delicate and airy. The Trapeze Cardigan is made from Grade A cashmere sourced from Inner Mongolia, with a light, seven-gauge, two-ply knit that feels whisper-soft against the skin. It isn’t as warm or hearty as the other sweaters we recommend, so it’s more vulnerable to snagging and stretching. (But if it were more substantial, then it wouldn’t make such a great year-round layering piece, so that’s a trade-off.) Because it’s both delicate and pricey, we recommend investing in this sweater only if you’re willing to hand-wash it properly and treat it with TLC.
It’s beautifully finished. The Trapeze Cardigan is well-made, with high-quality details. Fully fashioned marks—small, upraised marks along a knitted seam—reinforce the shoulders. And the shawl collar and front opening are beautifully finished, with a wide knitted hem. The bottom hem and cuffs are also finished well, if delicately, with a rolled edge.
Sizes: women’s XS to L
If you want cashmere with a big dose of personality, and you’re willing to pay for it, this soft and sumptuous unisex sweater fits the bill. The styles are limited edition—the snake design we tested is no longer available—but you have plenty of delightful graphics to choose from.
The unisex Leret Leret Crewneck Cashmere Sweater is undeniably eye-catching. Of all the sweaters we tested for this guide, this one—boldly emblazoned with an unexpected graphic design right on the front—received the most attention and compliments. It’s also the priciest of our picks: Depending on which limited-edition design you choose, a Leret Leret crewneck costs from $475 to $575. But for someone with an appetite and a budget that extend beyond the basics, its warm, luxurious medium-weight cashmere and standout style could be a worthy indulgence.
It makes a statement. With its playful and distinctive graphic design, this sweater puts a refreshing and whimsical twist on the traditional cashmere crewneck. We tested the snake-adorned No. 19, which has since sold out—Leret Leret releases new editions (currently it has more than 50) annually. Some of the others that have caught our eye include the mushroom-bedecked No. 28, the sunset-washed No. 13, and No. 25, a still life of oranges against a powder-blue backdrop. The crewneck also comes in a few simpler, yet still slick, stripe motifs.
It’s cozy and soft. The Leret Leret crewneck feels like a favorite childhood blanket: immediately warm, soft, and comforting. The smooth, refined 12-gauge, two-ply knit insulates without adding bulk, and the springy, substantial ribbing around the cuffs seals in body heat and keeps cold air from creeping in. It’s warm enough to wear on a 55-degree day with just a T-shirt underneath; in colder weather, it layers nicely under a wool coat.
The cashmere is exceptional. Leret Leret’s Grade A cashmere is combed and hand-sheared from the hardy Capra hircus goats of the Mongolian Gobi desert. (These are the same fabled goats that provide the material for preeminent cashmere specialist Loro Piana—which partly explains this sweater’s hefty price tag.) It feels appropriately luxe: sumptuous and soft, with a smooth, fine knit that snaps back effortlessly when stretched. And its fully fashioned construction—with seams that are knitted together, rather than cut and sewn—adds to its durability and finished look.
It has a relaxed shape. This crewneck sweater is a unisex style with a long, easy silhouette and a little more leeway in the torso. To get the perfect, slouchy fit, check your measurements carefully against Leret Leret’s size chart; if you fall between two sizes, we recommend getting the larger one.
Sizes: unisex XXS to XXL
Colors: 50-plus limited-edition designs, with new styles released annually
We found a dizzying number of cashmere sweaters out there. To determine which ones we would test, we interviewed designers and industry experts and spent hours reading reviews and scrolling through fashion sites.
Because cashmere sweaters can get eye-wateringly expensive, we decided to set a price cap of $500 per sweater. Every sweater we considered was 100% cashmere, except for one, which contained 5% wool.
For the first edition of this guide, two testers—a 5-foot-9 female tester wearing a women’s small and a 5-foot-9 male tester wearing a men’s medium—tested 22 men’s, women’s, and unisex styles. In 2023, a 5-foot-6 female tester wearing a women’s medium retested our pick from Naadam against three other under-$100 cashmere sweaters in a head-to-head matchup.
We judged each sweater based on the following:
Texture: Good cashmere should be soft, smooth, and not the slightest bit itchy. The smoothest, strongest cashmere yarns are spun from the longest, thinnest fibers. Brands don’t usually disclose their fiber length and diameter, but we’ve found that touching the fabric offers some clues. That said, if a sweater feels supernaturally soft—especially if it leaves a slippery residue on your fingers—it has likely been overwashed or chemically softened.
Warmth and weight: Cashmere is prized for its exceptional warmth. We sought out sweaters in different weights that would be comfortable in a variety of climates. We also considered two knitwear-specific specs: ply and gauge.
Ply refers to the number of threads twisted together to make a yarn; higher ply translates to greater warmth and durability. We looked for two-ply cashmere or higher.
Gauge refers to the number of stitches per inch. Higher-gauge sweaters have a tighter knit; since they often use finer yarn, they tend to feel smooth and lightweight. Lower-gauge sweaters typically have a chunkier texture and a heavier weight. We focused on cashmere sweaters made to seven-gauge and 12-gauge specifications.
Style: We sought out stylish sweaters with comfortable, flattering fits. Though classics are great, we also took note of compelling design details such as interesting cuts, unusual prints and patterns, and textural knits. Most of our picks are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, though some fashion brands offer disappointingly limited sizing.
Construction: We inspected each sweater for solid seams—no loose threads, please—and sturdy ribbing at the cuffs, collars, and hems. We also checked for fully fashioned marks. These small, upraised reinforcements (often made along the shoulders, or where the arms meet the body) show that the garment was knit together, rather than cut and sewn, resulting in stronger, more attractive seams and an improved fit.
Durability: We gently pulled on the arm of each sweater, hoping for knits that quickly bounced back to their original shape rather than stretching or warping. And we examined the individual fabrics, noting the amount of fuzz sticking up from the surface; more fuzz indicates shorter fibers, which are prone to pilling, stretching, and tearing.
While all cashmere pills eventually, the severity depends on its quality, as well as how diligent you are about caring for your sweater. We firmly rubbed the arm of each sweater to see if it pilled—immediate pilling is a sign that it likely won’t last more than a few seasons.
Cashmere comes from the ultra-soft undercoats of select species of alpine goats. Its quality and cost mainly boil down to the length and fineness of the fibers, and the skill and precision required to collect it.
Much of the best cashmere for sweaters comes from Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, where cashmere goats survive in harsh, high-altitude landscapes. To endure frigid winter temperatures, they grow a double-coated fleece, with coarse wool on top and a dense cloud of extremely fine, soft hairs underneath.
The most expensive and desirable cashmere is meticulously hand-combed or carefully sheared in the spring, when the goats naturally shed their winter coats. Skilled producers are capable of retaining the longest, thinnest hairs from the goat’s undercoat, which can be more tightly woven into smoother, stronger yarn.
About 15,000 to 20,000 tons of cashmere are harvested every year, but after scouring and dehairing is complete, only 6,500 tons of pure cashmere actually makes it to market. Compare that with the massive 1 million tons of wool (PDF) that’s produced in the same period, and factor in a growing global appetite for luxury goods, and it becomes clear why cashmere is such a high-priced commodity. The best long-fiber cashmere is especially scarce, as heritage brands like Italy’s Loro Piana—where you can easily spend thousands of dollars on a single sweater—buy up the majority of premium-grade cashmere.
Nevertheless, cashmere has become considerably more accessible in the past decade, mostly because of China’s efforts to produce more of it. We did a special round of testing focusing on these less-expensive offerings, and we recommend a couple of 100% cashmere sweaters that cost under $100, including our pick from Naadam and a $50 sweater from Quince.
In order to keep costs down, the makers of most inexpensive cashmere sweaters use yarn spun from coarser, shorter, and broken fibers, which means they probably won’t last as long. But even some higher-priced fashion brands have been known to use this low-quality cashmere, so you can’t always rely on price alone as an indicator of quality.
If you want ultra-soft cashmere at an unbeatable price: The airy and whisper-soft Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (women’s, $50; men’s, $60), made from Grade A, two-ply cashmere, delivers shockingly good quality for the price. When we tested it against three other under-$100 cashmere sweaters, it emerged as our second favorite, bested only by our cashmere pick from Naadam. We loved the Quince sweater’s flattering shape—with snug ribbing at the bottom hem—as well as its cloud-like feel. We also appreciated its reinforced construction, as it has fully fashioned marks at the shoulder. But it makes some compromises: It pilled easily, was somewhat prone to stretching, and didn’t feel nearly as warm or substantial as the Naadam sweater. The Quince crewneck is available in women’s sizes XS to XL and in men’s sizes S to XXL, in a wide selection of colors. Not long before we published this guide, a Quince representative told us that the company should be receiving stock in women’s plus sizes shortly.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything that we tested, just what’s still available.
The Equipment Sanni Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater has a cool slouchy cut, and its thick-ribbed collar is nicely structured. But the fabric felt mushy and flimsy—particularly disappointing considering that this sweater costs nearly $300.
The Gobi $99 Cashmere Hat and Sweater Set—you get a matching beanie along with a crewneck—is made from impressively soft, ultrafine Mongolian cashmere. This sweater felt similar to the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck, except with flimsier ribbing, less stretch recovery, and more fuzz. It’s also twice the price.
The Saks Fifth Avenue Collection Cashmere Roundneck Sweater has a slim, flattering cut and a stylish split hem. But it pilled immediately, and we found a couple of loose threads.
The Italic Mateo Cashmere Crewneck Sweater is remarkably soft. Unfortunately, it’s also structureless and borderline mushy, and ours arrived with a few sections already pilling.
The J.Crew Men’s Cashmere Crewneck Sweater was nothing but cut corners, with its weak seamwork and an overly soft, almost greasy feel.
The William Lockie Oxton Cashmere Sweater, made by one of the last remaining Scottish cashmere mills, is intended to soften with wear and last a lifetime. The quality felt excellent, but its traditional crewneck style didn’t seem special enough to justify the over-$400 price tag.
Everlane’s Cashmere Crew (men’s and women’s) fits well and feels warm, with high-quality reinforced ribbing around the neck and cuffs. Our testers found it slightly itchy, but if you’re not especially sensitive, it’s a nice sweater at a reasonable price.
The Uniqlo Cashmere Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Sweater (men’s and women’s) has a fine, even knit and fully fashioned marks at the shoulder. In our experience, the quality of Uniqlo’s cashmere has been inconsistent from year to year; the sweater we tested in 2023 was itchy, thin, and nearly see-through.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter. Additional reporting by Gregory Han.
Nadia Monosova, director of product development and technical design, Amicale Cashmere, email interview, August 13 and October 14, 2020
Timothy Leung, pattern maker, Rag & Bone, email interview, August 10, 2020
Lisa Pomerantz, luxury branding executive, LFP Collective, phone interview, August 23, 2020
Zoe Vanderweide is a senior staff writer reporting on style and accessories at Wirecutter. She has been wearing things for over three decades, and she has spent years covering streetwear, luxury, art, and design. Off the clock, you can find her painting the town rainbow with her (devastatingly stylish) daughter.
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