From Splurge to Steal: The 15 Best Cashmere Sweaters for Every Budget
Cashmere season is officially upon us, and whether you’re ready to splurge or keep it budget-friendly, there’s a sweater for everyone. Known for their luxurious feel and buttery softness, cashmere sweaters are the ultimate cold-weather indulgence. But here’s a secret: you don’t have to shell out a fortune to get that cozy, cloud-like warmth.
Sure, you can shell out the cash for a luxe investment piece, but there are plenty of cashmere sweaters with more palatable price tags equally worth their coin. From high-end statement styles to affordable options that don’t skimp on quality, we’ve rounded up the best cashmere sweaters for every budget—because you deserve a little luxury, no matter your price point. The knits on the list ahead vary in price, but all offer incredible comfort and coziness, not to mention the stamp of approval from personal stylists and myself.
- Best overall: Nadaam The Original Cashmere Sweater, $98
- Best budget: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, $50
- Best mid-price: J.Crew Cashmere Classic-Fit Crewneck Sweater, $128
- Best for Earth: Reformation Dana Cashmere Crew Sweater, $168
- Best splurge: Jenni Kayne Cashmere Finley Cardigan, $325
- Dacy Gillespie, personal stylist and founder of the Mindful Closet
- Naina Singla, personal stylist and style expert
- Susan Padron, intuitive personal stylist, host of the Susan Padron Podcast, and author of We Don’t Do Just Okay Anymore
What to look for when shopping for a cashmere sweater
Finding your perfect cashmere sweater will come down to a few main factors:
Material: According to personal stylists Naina Singla and Dacy Gillespie, a sweater made from 100 percent cashmere offers unparalleled softness and warmth. While expensive, this high-quality fabric—which comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats found in the harsh climates of Mongolia, China, and Central Asia—is extremely warm and insulating. It’s also likely to last longer than options that are constructed with other materials, adds personal stylist Susan Padron.
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Quality: The quality of cashmere is graded from A-C, based on factors like fiber thickness, length, and softness. Singla and Gillepsie recommend looking for Grade A cashmere, which is the highest quality. Aside from grade, feel the material yourself. It should be soft and smooth (not rough and itchy), and it’ll bounce back into shape quickly when stretched. (“Lower-quality cashmere won’t maintain its shape,” says Padron.)
Construction: Look for options constructed with neatly finished, tight stitching—and no loose threads—that won't easily snag or pull, says Singla. All the options in the list ahead are well constructed, and so long as you follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, will last you a long time.
Style: Cashmere sweaters often come in classic silhouettes (such as crewnecks and V-necks) that transcend seasonal trends, as well as a variety of colors to suit your style preferences. Most of the options on this list are crewneck sweaters, but you’ll also find cashmere-knit cardigans and vests that make for great layering pieces in cold weather.
With all this in mind, scroll on for some of the best knits for the chilly season.
Shop these stylist- and editor-approved picks
Sizes: XXS-XXL | Colors: 34 | Materials: 100% Mongolian cashmere
There’s a lot I love about Nadaam’s Original Cashmere Sweater. It’s soft with a slick smoothness and substantial enough to keep me warm in brisk 65-degree weather all on its own. I also like the way it fits me: it’s not too loose nor too tight, and it offers some room for a T-shirt or a crisp Oxford button-up. So far, it’s seen me through a couple of seasons of wear, and it’s stood up to regular use, with only some pilling—but that’s to be expected with any and all cashmere sweaters. TL;DR: I love it so much, I own it in three colors.
Nadaam’s sweaters also come with the approval of Singla and Gillespie. “At under $100, it is soft and cozy,” says Singla of the Original Cashmere Sweater, adding that it’s the “perfect weight to layer under a coat or blazer.”
Pros:
- Available in 34 colors and an inclusive size range
- Made in adherence with the Sustainable Fiber Alliance (SFA)
- Versatile fit
- Durable
- Affordable
Cons:
- Hand wash only
Sizes: XS-3X | Colors: 16 | Materials: 100% grade-A Mongolian cashmere
When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. That;s not the case with Quince’s $50 cashmere sweater, which is almost as supple as the Nadaam sweater, albeit more lightweight and less tightly knit than its counterpart. This sweater is warm yet breathable, ideal for fickle fall weather. Plus, I love the versatility of the crewneck. It’s easy to pair with existing staples in my closet, whether it’s trousers or tied around my neck with a T-shirt and jeans. It also comes recommended by Singla, who often recommends Quince to clients who are looking for affordable cashmere that doesn’t skimp on quality.
Pros:
- Made from grade-A Mongolian cashmere
- Available in an inclusive size range
- Versatile
- Soft and supple
- Affordable
Cons:
- Lightweight and more loosely knit than overall best pick
- Hand wash only
Sizes: XXXS-3X | Colors: 12 | Materials: 100% cashmere
The J.Crew cashmere sweater is soft and lightweight, like a worn shirt, and drapes nicely over my waist and hips. Its classic slim-but-slouchy shape can accommodate layers on cooler days, so much so it could easily be tucked into jeans or a skirt. While thinner than the above picks, it isn’t flimsy-feeling. The sweater is well constructed, with substantial ribbing on the cuffs and hem—features that also add to its visual appeal. Plus, it’s a pick that you can feel good about wearing. All of J.Crew’s sweaters are crafted in a fair trade-certified facility and certified to the Good Cashmere Standard by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), which aims to promote sustainable cashmere production practices.
Pros:
- Cashmere is made in a fair trade-certified facility and certified to the AbTF’s Good Cashmere Standard
- Sweater is well constructed in a stylishly versatile silhouette
- Available in an inclusive size range
- Light but not flimsy
Cons:
- The material is lighter weight and less soft than above picks
- Hand wash only
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 5 | Material: 95% recycled cashmere, 5% cashmere
Reformation’s cashmere sweaters like this pick are made primarily from recycled cashmere, making it easier for people to make more environmentally conscious shopping choices. This crewneck sweater is made from 95 percent recycled cashmere, and it’s as soft as the option from J.Crew. I also love the fit. I’m 5 feet, 5 inches tall, and this sweater is neither too long nor too short (it hits right at my waist), with a slightly boxy and not too oversized silhouette. Singla also recommends Reformation’s cashmere sweaters, if not for its eco-minded construction, then for its overall quality (or both).
Pros:
- Made from recycled cashmere
- Fits true to size
- Versatile
- Soft and supple
Cons:
- Limited size range
- Hand wash only
Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 2 | Material: 100% cashmere
If you’re willing to splurge, consider this option from Well+Good-beloved brand Jenni Kayne. “This is a beautiful luxe cashmere cardigan,” says Singla. “It features fine button-front detailing and a shrunken fit. It’s also luxuriously soft. A few of my clients have gotten this one, and it’s a great option to style for work. Pair it up with pleated trousers, a belt, and ballet flats, or a maxi satin skirt and ankle boots.” What’s more, it comes in two neutral colors—beige and black—to fit seamlessly into myriad closets.
Pros:
- Luxuriously soft
- Versatile silhouette is ideal for layering
- Versatile
- High-quality and durable
Cons:
- Expensive
- Dry clean only
More cashmere sweaters from Nadaam
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 2 | Materials: 100% Mongolian cashmere
“This cable crewneck sweater features a wide crew necklace, cable knit, and unique ombré pattern,” says Singla, in addition to being made entirely from 100 percent Mongolian cashmere.
Sizes: XXS-3X | Colors: 6 | Materials: 100% Mongolian cashmere
“This classic boyfriend cardigan from Nadaam is classic and timeless,” says Gillespie. Plus, “it’s available in sizes up to 3X.”
More cashmere sweaters from Quince
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 9 | Materials: 100% grade-A Mongolian cashmere
“This V-neck cashmere sweater in neutral color is a great capsule piece,” says Singla. “It’s lightweight, cozy, and supersoft.”
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 4 | Materials: 100% grade-A Mongolian cashmere
This cashmere hoodie is beloved by former Well+Good editorial commerce director Gina Vaynshteyn. “The material is impressively soft,” she wrote in a previous Quince review. “It’s also on the drape-y side, which I love.”
More cashmere sweaters from J.Crew
Sizes: XXXS-3X | Colors: 11 | Material: 100% cashmere
This crewneck sweater is—as the name suggests—the shrunken version of J.Crew’s beloved cashmere knit. It plays well with layers (such as a slim-fit button-up), but it’s still plenty cozy when worn on its own.
Sizes: XXXS-3X | Colors: 6 | Material: 100% cashmere
Your classic T-shirt, just crafted from luxurious cashmere. The cable pattern also lends the otherwise straightforward silhouette visual oomph.
More cashmere sweaters from Reformation
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 13 | Material: 95% cashmere, 5% cashmere
“I love the Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan from Reformation,” says Singla. “It has a relaxed fit and ribbed hem, and it looks great worn on its own.”
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 6 | Material: 90% recycled cashmere, 10% cashmere
Made from 90 percent recycled cashmere and 10 percent cashmere, Reformation’s polo sweater offers effortless versatility. Wear it layered or solo, with jeans or a skirt, it adds instant—and easy—polish to any outfit.
More cashmere sweaters from Jenni Kayne
Sizes: XXS-3X | Colors: 8 | Material: 100% cashmere
This cashmere cocoon cardigan is beloved for good reason: It is indulgently soft, and it pairs well with just about anything in your closet—from pajamas and leggings to jeans and dresses.
Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 4 | Material: 100% cashmere
This oversized cashmere turtleneck sweater is as functional as it is chic—whether worn alone or layered, tucked in or left loose. Plus, the chunky collar will offer extra coziness come the winter chill.
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