10 Best Cashmere Sweaters for Your Winter Wardrobe
Our top picks start at just $50.
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As the temperature begins to drop, it's your sign to start stocking up on warm and cozy sweaters — essentials of a cold-weather wardrobe. The most luxurious option of them all: A cashmere sweater.
Cashmere is a fine wool fiber that comes from certain breeds of goats, and it makes for an incredibly soft material that's breathable yet still helps you stay nice and warm. While cashmere is a premium fiber that tends to come with a premium price tag, budget cashmere sweaters are growing in popularity — and it's become increasing difficult to decide which ones are actually worth buying.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we test and evaluate all types of apparel, including over 20 cashmere sweaters from popular brands. After researching online, we test styles in person for softness, construction and pill-resistance. Based on our research, we've curated a list of the best cashmere sweaters, priced from $50 to $298.
Garnet Hill's soft cashmere sweaters have been a Textiles Lab favorite for years. When we asked testers to rate sweaters for softness, they gave this one the highest scores and several described it as "cozy" and "fluffy."
I'm a fan of the unique style of the sweater. The V-neck doesn't plunge too low, making it a great option for the office or casual wear. It also has a slightly relaxed fit and features dolman sleeves, which are loose and unrestrictive in the shoulders, allowing plenty of room for comfortable movement. The sleeves taper down towards the wrist where they meet ribbed cuffs to reduce bulk, and the torso of the sweater tapers towards the hem, which emphasizes the waistline. It all works together to result in a stylish sweater that our testers designated "most expensive-looking" in a blind comparison of perceived value.
During our durability evaluations, we noticed some fuzzing on the surface of the sweater, but that's not uncommon of cashmere styles. And hundreds of online reviewers of a variety of ages and sizes said the sweater held up well to regular use, with many commenting that they have continued to purchase it in new colors year after year.
Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 10 options | Care: Hand wash
A go-to destination for the more affordable versions of popular styles of luggage to clothing, Quince is known for offering an exceptional balance of price and quality. Its sweaters, including this simple crewneck, are a great gateway into cashmere for someone shopping on a budget. Quince claims it's made of Grade A Mongolian cashmere, which makes the price tag of just $50 a total steal.
With a 4.9-star average rating and more than 14,000 reviews, this popular pick is loved by real shoppers who say the sweater is comfortable and runs true-to-size. One online reviewer shared, "Whether I’m dressing it up for a night out or keeping it casual, this sweater adds a polished touch that looks effortlessly chic. Highly recommend this piece for anyone looking for a cozy yet stylish wardrobe staple!"
One GH staffer who has worn cashmere sweaters from the brand was impressed by the overall quality, emphasizing that she loved the cut and soft feel of the material, but she did note that it's not quite as nice as other higher-end sweaters she has worn. While I haven't tried the brand's cashmere, I do regularly don its alpaca wool styles, which look great wear after wear and feel much more luxurious than they cost.
Sizes: XS–XL with plus options | Colors: 14 options | Care: Hand wash
RELATED: Everything That's Worth Buying from Quince, According to Our Editors
J.Crew Brushed Cashmere Relaxed Crewneck Sweater
A classic brand known for its classic styles, J.Crew has mastered prep fashion staples like the cashmere sweater. One of its best-selling sweaters, this crewneck stands out, thanks to the long cashmere fibers used and the brushed finish. The fuzzy texture adds an extra level of coziness to the sweater, and the brand claims that the design is resistant to pilling, meaning the fibers on the surface of the sweater shouldn't ball up with wear.
The relaxed fit means the sweater has a looser cut and may feel a little big on, but that's part of its charm. You can easily layer a button-up blouse or tee underneath, and the added volume looks great when bunched up at the elbows or tucked into a pair of slacks.
If you prefer a snug fit, online reviewers recommended sizing down. One commented, "I have this sweater in 4 colors. [It] runs a little large, so [I] have 2 mediums for slouchy wear and 2 smalls for dressier wear."
Sizes: XXXS–3X | Colors: 4 options | Care: Hand wash
A basic crewneck sweater is a must-have in every closet, and L.L.Bean's version is a practical choice that testers loved. The sweater is more fitted throughout the bodice and sleeves than many of our other picks, which emphasizes your natural shape more than a boxier or relaxed style. But it also features a thicker ribbed detail at the cuffs and hemline, which lends the material flexibility for a more comfortable feel.
When we reviewed the crewneck in the Lab, testers liked the feel of the sweater, sharing that it seemed substantial compared to other styles. It didn't perform quite as well as other sweaters in our tests for durability, but for just $129, it still held up better than some of the more expensive styles we tried.
One GH editor shared that she loves to style this pick for work with chunky jewelry and a silky midi-skirt, but the versatile sweater also pairs well with slacks and jeans and is thin enough to fit comfortably under a blazer. It comes in nine colors and is available in regular, petite, plus and tall sizing, so you're sure to find the right combination that fits nicely into your wardrobe.
Sizes: XS–XL with petite, plus and tall options | Colors: 9 options | Care: Hand wash
Naadam is known for its cashmere sweaters including its $98 original style, washable cashmere and super lightweight pieces, but I especially love this cable-knit crew. One of the brand's newest styles, the sweater has a timeless design and is perfect for layering over a white T-shirt, which is one of the year's biggest cold-weather fashion trends. The sweater is a bit slouchy overall with a wider crewneck, dropped shoulders and a roomy bodice that hits right around the hips.
It is a bit pricier than some other picks in part because of the cable-knit design, which requires extra yarn compared to other styles. The brand also claims that this style is made with its "most luxurious and plushest cashmere," adding that the heavier weight design feels thick and soft. I own this sweater and agree with the brand's description. The fabric is lofty and soft and drapes beautifully over my frame, but if you're particularly petite, you may want to size down because it's slightly oversized.
Sizes: XXS–3X | Colors: 4 options | Care: Hand wash
Popular since the 1950s, the turtleneck has long served as a sort of counterculture style uniform, worn by everyone from the Beatniks to the Black Panthers, but it's now become an essential basic. This one from Lands' End is a true turtleneck with a rolled collar that extends up to the chin and folds down to the collarbone. It's available in 10 different colors and patterns, but in my opinion, you can't go wrong with basic black.
Costing just $100, the sweater isn't the most luxurious cashmere option, and some reviewers have described it as too thin, but I'd say the quality is standard for the price point. Many reviewers have also pointed out that the material holds up well to regular use without pilling.
When we tested cashmere sweaters from Lands' End in the past, they received the highest scores for pilling resistance and maintained their smooth appearance and feel. One online reviewer shared, "The sweater feels airy and light...yet keeps me so comfortable and warm. Layering this is easy."
Sizes: XS–XL with petite, plus and tall options | Colors: 10 options | Care: Hand wash
With a relaxed fit, this sweater from Aritzia isn't too formfitting or overly loose – it's just the right size. Online reviewers loved the design, with one who shared, "The fit and cut of this sweater is perfect. It’s roomy and cozy without looking sloppy." The shoulders are slightly dropped for a better range of motion, and the sleeves are plenty long enough for a taller build. Hitting right around the hips, the sweater provides nice coverage and is easy to tuck in, thanks to the thicker ribbed band.
I own this sweater and also love the style but I especially love the smooth and soft cashmere material. Just like the fit, the thickness of the material is ideal —not bulky or too lightweight and sheer, and it pairs well with so many of my favorite skirts and trousers.
Sizes: 2XS–2XL | Colors: 11 options | Care: Hand wash
The perfect transition piece as the temperatures start to drop, a cardigan offers the warmth and comfort of a traditional sweater with a more versatile design. Wear it as is with nothing underneath, throw it over a sleeveless dress or top or layer it with a T-shirt underneath. For a look that's really on-trend, I suggest wearing the fitted sweater with a pair of baggy jeans and comfy ballet flats.
This one from Reformation has a slightly cropped hemline that hits at the natural waist, along with a standard crew neckline and a full button front. One of our favorite sustainable clothing brands, Reformation claims that the cardigan is made with 90% recycled cashmere, making it a more sustainable pick than some other cashmere sweaters. It's available in 13 neutrals and fashion colors like red, grey and baby pink to coordinate with your closet.
Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 13 options | Care: Hand wash
One thing Everlane always gets right is the "boxy" cut. The brand chooses the perfect ratio of length to width for its boxy tops — not too wide that you're drowning in fabric and not so short that your stomach peeks out. This sweater features the brand's signature design and is loved by dozens of online reviewers who said it drapes nicely over their figures, including those with larger chests and those with more petite frames. One online reviewer shared, "Beautiful, cozy sweater.... I love how this sweater falls and where the bottom of it hits." And many have commented that they own multiple or plan to purchase it in several shades.
According to Everlane, it's made with 70% GRS-certified recycled cashmere in addition to GCS-certified responsible cashmere. I don't own this sweater, but I have several sweaters from Everlane that are always at the top of my drawer because I wear them so often. The colors are vibrant, the materials are comfortable and the quality for the price is impressive. And when we tested cashmere sweaters from Everlane in previous tests, the material performed better for pilling than some more expensive brands.
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 9 options | Care: Hand wash
One of the more affordable cashmere sweaters featured on out list, this style is on the thinner side, but it's a lightweight piece that's great for layering under thicker tops or blazers.
It's not as high of quality as some pricier options, and some online reviewers have found it to be itchier than other cashmere they've worn. It also didn't perform as well as other sweaters in our softness evaluations, earning lower scores in a blind comparison test. However, some other online reviewers said it holds up nicely to regular wear without pilling and describe it as "so soft." It may be a good option to avoid this pick if you have especially sensitive skin, though.
The basic sweater comes in a whopping 21 colors, and because it's not quite as expensive as other cashmere sweaters, you can buy two or three variations to fill your winter wardrobe. Uniqlo says that the white version of the sweater may appear to be slightly sheer, but the rest of the options are solid and can be worn without an undershirt.
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 21 options | Care: Hand wash
How we chose the best cashmere sweaters
In recent years, we've evaluated dozens of sweaters in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, including more than 20 cashmere styles. We have backgrounds in fashion and fiber science, making us experts when it comes to reviewing clothing, as well as cashmere and other fibers.
When choosing the best cashmere sweaters, we start with online research, reviewing hundreds of sweaters from popular brands to determine which ones are worth trying out. We consider the fiber content and material information, along with the care instructions, appearance and price tag. We then evaluate some of the sweaters firsthand, reviewing their construction, softness and more, and we share sweaters with consumer testers who wear the sweaters and share their thoughts on fit, style and comfort.
When we test cashmere sweaters in the Lab, we review them more technically to determine performance and durability. We use our abrasion machine to rub swatches of the fabric, mimicking long-term use, and then visually score signs of pilling against industry standards. Along with evaluating pill resistance, we wash sweaters according to their care labels to determine how well they hold up in the laundry, noting any major changes in appearance.
What to look for when shopping
Cashmere is considered to be a luxury wool fiber and comes from cashmere goats. Compared to regular sheep's wool, cashmere is much finer, softer and smoother, but not all cashmere is equally luxurious and soft. You'll notice when shopping for cashmere that even 100% cashmere sweaters are available at a variety of price points. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping:
✔️ Fiber grade: Cashmere is graded on properties including length, color and diameter. A cashmere labeled "Grade A" is the best quality cashmere and is expensive but soft and more durable than cashmere grades B or C. To ensure you're buying high quality cashmere, it's best to look for a Grade A classification, but not all brands will provide this information, especially if they use Grade B or C cashmere.
✔️ Fabric structure: The amount of cashmere fiber used in a sweater can significantly impact the overall quality and the price point. Although it may not always be listed online or on the product label, it's a good idea to check for yarn ply. A sweater made of two-ply yarn (two strands of yarn twisted together) is likely more durable than one made of single-ply. It also helps to visually assess the sweater to determine if the knit structure is loose or tight – a sweater with more slack can lose its shape over time.
✔️ Final garment: If you're shopping in person, it can be beneficial to check the opacity of the material. Place your hand inside the sweater and hold it up to light; if you're able to see your hand through the fabric, it could be too sheer. Also inspect the fabric texture. Some manufacturers will brush cashmere to improve the softness and warmth of the material, but a fuzzy surface could indicate pilling and fiber shed down the line.
What's the best way to clean cashmere sweaters?
Cashmere is a delicate fiber that requires careful maintenance to ensure it stays in tip-top shape. When it comes to washing cashmere, it's always important to review the care instructions first. This information can typically be found online in the product description or on a tag inside of the garment. Most cashmere is hand-wash only or may require dry cleaning.
Executive Director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab Carolyn Forte recommends using a cashmere-safe laundry detergent if you wash it at home. Forte also says it's helpful to steam your cashmere clothing between wears to help mitigate odors and wrinkles, and she suggests using a fabric shaver to remove pesky pills (balls of fiber on the fabric's surface).
RELATED: How to Wash and Care for Cashmere
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Amanda Constantine joined Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home & apparel reviews analyst. She has a background in fashion and is GH's resident style expert. Constantine writes apparel content including the best white T-shirts, clothing subscription services, the best boyfriend jeans and more.
For this article, she reviewed former cashmere sweater testing data and researched cashmere sweaters online, choosing some styles to evaluate in person. She also worked with textiles analyst Grace Wu who has degrees in fiber and material science for more insight into cashmere fibers and fabrics.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
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