I'm A Style Editor And These Are The Best Cashmere Sweaters I've Ever Tested

Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider

Naadam cashmere is special because its facilities are powered by a closed-loop system that limits water waste, and its supply chain is operated by workers sponsored by the brand's donations to The Gobi Revival Fund NGO. Good On You gives it a pass in terms of sustainability.

Its first signature piece was the Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater, which was re-dubbed the Original Cashmere Sweater (now $98) in October 2023. I call it the best entry-level cashmere sweater because it's luxuriously soft and still easy to care for. I even wear it on its own as a base layer.

In addition to pure cashmere, the brand offers sweaters, loungewear, and even winter coats in blended knits like Merino wool cashmere, modal cashmere, recycled cashmere, and other super soft combinations.

Read more in our full Naadam Cashmere Sweater review.

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Quince is one of our team's favorite direct-to-consumer brands for quality basics. Its original claim to fame is a $50 sweater made from 100% Grade-A Mongolian Cashmere. I recently tested the retrofitted "Cashmere 2.0" version, which has a higher cashmere content. It feels like a slightly finer gauge, even though it stayed at the same price. The quality is acceptable — not the softest I've felt, but not offensively itchy, either. What makes it stand out is its affordability.

Quince's size availability for its best cashmere sweaters ranges from XS-XL. Quince also offers maternity sizing and cozy cashmere accessories to pair with its Super Luxe Baby Cashmere sweaters.

Read our full Quince review and Quince cashmere review. 

Gobi Cashmere

For sound mind on where the best cashmere sweater actually comes from, Gobi Cashmere is a 100% Mongolian company that works with local herders who hand-comb the cashmere fibers, which creates an even softer handfeel. Without third-party interference, Gobi is able to price their signature organic cashmere sweater and hat set as low as $99. They also have pricier options like their silk cashmere blends and heavier knits, in sizes ranging from S to 2XL.

I've worn my Gobi mockneck sweater in lieu of layering up with long-sleeved tees and fleeces, and it's incredibly thick and warm even with just a cami underneath. It's the ultimate solution for anyone who feels encumbered by wearing multiple jackets at a time.

Guest In Residence

Gigi Hadid's luxury cashmere brand, Guest In Residence, is inspired by the supermodel's idea to create sweaters that can be passed on as heirlooms to her daughter. This warm and fuzzy sentiment translates to a cozy collection of mostly genderless crewnecks with roomy, boxy silhouettes.

The sweater I tried cost $385, which is definitely steep for any single article of clothing. It costs more because it's a finer gauge, which I can feel in how smooth and soft the fabric is. While the stitching on its interior seams isn't immaculate, it's undeniably cozy. It has a relaxed, enveloping fit that's great for those who like their sweaters to drape.

Read more in our full Guest In Residence review.

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The Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan ($475) is one of its best-sellers. I went for the Cropped version, which still has a substantially oversized fit but costs $30 less. Unless you really want to be swimming in your sweater, I recommend the Cropped version.

Why does a Jenni Kayne sweater cost so much to begin with? Well, a big part is simply the brand name. Still, I really enjoy wearing this cardigan. Its Grade-A cashmere is cloud soft and drapes perfectly, and I like its flattering V-neckline that makes the boxy shape a touch more feminine. Most of all, it doesn't balloon at the hips the way some cashmere sweaters do because it's a lofty, chunky knit. Perhaps the West Coast brand is hyped up because it's worn a lot by celebrities, but my impression is that it's genuinely high quality.

Everlane

Everlane is one of our favorite places to buy all kinds of high-quality basics. Their cashmere sweater offerings include subtle updates on traditional styles with a great price tag. Everlane's Grade-A Mongolian cashmere runs from $110 to $230 in sizes XXS to XL.

The most popular and versatile style of their top women's cashmere sweaters, 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. I tried The Square Neck sweater in a pretty color called "Dusty Rose" — it's not quite soft enough to sleep in, but it does keep me warm.

Read her full Everlane Cashmere Sweater review.

Reformation

Reformation offers a range of youthful designs derived from the latest style trends. The brand's sizing isn't as inclusive as it ought to be, but Reformation at least gets some kudos for being totally carbon neutral and donating its textile scraps to minimize waste. Their 90/10 Cashmere line offers fashion-forward pieces like cropped sweaters, as well as timeless basics like turtlenecks and cardigans, made from 90% post-industrial recycled cashmere. 

Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher's designs are simple, sophisticated, and sustainable from the beginning of their conception to wherever they land in your wardrobe. Their polished women's cashmere sweater collection consists of pure cashmere, cashmere silk blends, or recycled cashmere knits.

Its softest, smoothest fabric is the Cashmere Silk Bliss knit, spun with a blend of silk and cashmere yarn, hence the high price point. It also has 100% Italian cashmere, which is a minimally-treated, lightweight knit that feels smooth and luxurious to the touch. For a chunkier sweater, try its Lofty Recycled Cashmere, which is spun using scraps from the cutting room floors of Eileen Fisher's production facilities. Eileen Fisher's sweaters range from sizes XXS to 3XL.

Peruvian Connection

Even though alpaca wool sweaters feel more coarse than cashmere sweaters, I want to mention them here because they're similarly warm and breathable. An alpaca wool sweater may also be your best alternative if you're specifically allergic to cashmere.

Peruvian Connection claims to follow the protocol of "The Technical Norms for Shearing and Handling Alpaca Fiber Fleece" approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Production that enforces ethical treatment of the animals. Their warm, soft sweaters come in your standard solid knit pullovers in sizes XS-XL, with more options in colorful, traditional Peruvian patterns that pay tribute to the origin of the alpaca wool sweater.

Patagonia

Patagonia is a beloved B-corp retail company most people recognize for signature fleeces, but their exemplary sustainability standards also extend to their recycled cashmere collection. Each piece consists of 95% cashmere scraps collected from European garment factories, which is then woven with 5% virgin wool for added strength. 

The four styles of their small but mighty collection of cashmere sweaters (crewneck, turtleneck, and two cardigans) are available in sizes XS-XL.

Leret Leret

If you're looking to splurge on a truly unique piece, Leret Leret has investment pieces that make a lasting impression. The luxury shop emblazons its cashmere sweaters with quirky insignias, as well as 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 unisex sweaters are available in sizes XXS to XXL.

J. Crew

J.Crew is your one-stop shop for the best 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're after, you're still in the right place.

J.Crew is the first US member of the Aid by Trade Foundation, which helps promote sustainable agricultural development — including sustainable cashmere production — and is certified under the AbTF's The Good Cashmere Standard. We also love the brand's inclusive size range, with sweaters sizing up to a 3XL (size 24).

Lands' End

If you're more interested in classic, modest styles of women's cashmere sweaters, Lands' End is the place to expand your selection. Their 2-ply cashmere is on the more expensive side, but the brand hosts sales often. Another pro: Lands' End offers a larger size range than many other cashmere sweater brands on the market. 

Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider

Being the sole member of my team without a cashmere allergy, I've dedicated a lot of space in my closet to sweaters. As my collection has grown, so has my ability to compare and contrast some of their more basic features:

Softness. This one is pretty intuitive, but there's a reason some cashmere has a softer handfeel than others. The softest cashmere I've worn is organic, smooth on the surface, and completely free of any split or frayed fibers coming loose from the yarn. Some pilling is natural, but the weave should remain intact — otherwise, it can feel coarse or itchy.

Warmth. The best way I determine the warmth of a cashmere sweater is by wearing it directly on my skin without any layers interfering. Cashmere is naturally insulating, so the finer the knit, the better it is at trapping my body heat. When wearing cashmere as a top layer, I feel for where it's letting in cold air, which tends to be either at the neckline or sleeves. If it's too low a gauge or loose in either area, it won't protect from the cold.

Pilling. Pilling is natural with even the highest quality cashmere, but I found that sweaters with a lower gauge (including the Quince Fisherman Sweater) pill much faster. I used a cashmere comb to give it a refresh, taking care not to stretch it out as I pulled it through the fibers.

Construction. Looking closely at the seams of a quality cashmere sweater indicates how durable it is. Thicker knits around a sweater's collar and cuffs, as I saw in Naadam's sweaters, gave it a more finished feel.

Washing and drying. I don't wash my cashmere sweaters often, and neither should you if you want them to last. However, of the ones I did wash, I looked for runny dyes in the water, frayed fibers, and an ability to retain their shape after they'd dried. To keep them looking newer for longer, I handwash them only in cold water as needed and lie them flat over a clotheshorse to air dry.

What is cashmere? 

Cashmere is a thin, soft, and finely textured knit fabric made from the fibers brushed from the undercoat of cashmere goats. It gets its name from the Kashmir region of northern India and is distinct from the fibers harvested from sheep that make wool. Even though they're related materials, cashmere is three times more insulating than wool. It's also naturally more breathable.

Why is cashmere so expensive? 

The more expensive a cashmere sweater is, the more you can denote from its laborious brushing and production process.

Cashmere is only collected as little as once a year, depending on the area, and it can take approximately 4-5 fully grown cashmere goats to make just one sweater. The goats' hair is brushed into "tops." Luxury brands like Loro Piana and Brunello Cucinelli bid on the premium tops, which are the cleanest and palest in color.

In the US, cashmere must meet a certain criteria:

• The average diameter of the fiber cannot exceed 19 micrometers. 
• The product cannot contain more than 3% by weight of cashmere fibers with average diameters that exceed 30 micrometers.

100% cashmere is more sustainable than, say, polyester. Still, it does take a toll on the environment, and the available quantity relies on the well-being of goat herds, their habitat, and their caretakers. As with any naturally regenerative resource, paying more means investing in the quality of life for those who produce it.

How should I store my cashmere sweaters?

Cashmere sweaters can last you a lifetime with the right care. Hanging cashmere sweaters will make them stretch, so you should instead keep them folded in a drawer. But beware: this is exactly where hungry moths can be found lying in wait. Keep them at bay with cedar blocks to prevent them from chewing holes through your cashmere clothing.