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FYI

In September 2024, Quince updated its $50 Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater; the knit now contains 20 percent more cashmere. We’ve tested it, and the new version has a more substantial, luxe feel.

Incomparably soft and wonderfully indulgent, a great cashmere sweater is a welcome and worthy investment for any wardrobe. Finding one that looks great, feels incredibly comfortable, and will last for years is especially important. The right cashmere sweater not only elevates your style but also provides enduring warmth and luxury, making it a timeless addition to your collection.

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 $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.

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The research

A terrific under-$100 cashmere crewneck for men and women: Naadam The Original Cashmere Sweater

A luxurious $200 women’s turtleneck: Italic Emma Cashmere Relaxed Turtleneck Sweater

A men’s cashmere sweater that’s rugged and practical: Patagonia Men’s Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

A boxy, slightly cropped women’s crewneck: La Ligne Mini Toujours Sweater

A lightweight women’s open-front cardigan: White + Warren Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan

A splurge-worthy unisex sweater with statement designs: Leret Leret Crewneck Cashmere Sweater

How we picked and tested

Why is cashmere so expensive?

Other cashmere sweaters worth considering

The competition

Sources

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A terrific under-$100 cashmere crewneck for men and women: Naadam The Original Cashmere Sweater

Note: This exceptionally soft and wonderfully indulgent sweater has been a top pick in our guide since 2020. Previously known as The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater, it was renamed The Original Cashmere Sweater in October 2023, with a price increase of around $20. Otherwise, the sweater remains unchanged—still delivering the same great style, incredible comfort, and lasting quality that makes it a worthy investment for any wardrobe.

Naadam’s The Original Cashmere Sweater (available for both men and women) is a 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 boasts a classic, timeless look and a fit that’s slim and flattering without being clingy. With well-executed details and an incredibly buttery-soft feel, this sweater is both stylish and comfortable. For an additional $20, you can personalize your sweater with a custom monogram of up to four characters, elegantly embroidered on the left side of the chest, making it an even more special addition to your wardrobe.

It’s incredibly soft, smooth, and cozy. The Original Cashmere 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, featuring a 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 stroll around New York City; in the depths of winter, it’s perfect as an extra layer that isn’t bulky beneath a coat.

The sweater has a classic fit that’s slim but not tight. This simple and timeless crewneck has a long and slim silhouette, yet it still offers plenty of room for comfortably layering a shirt underneath. Our female and male testers both appreciated that the Original sweater was slightly slouchy without being sloppy.

It’s exceptionally well constructed, especially for the price. While most lower-priced cashmere often cuts corners, the quality of the Original sweater rivals that of sweaters costing twice as much. It features 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) manner than simple cutting and sewing. The ribbed hems around the neck, cuffs, and waist are well finished, ensuring this sweater’s longevity and making it a worthy investment for your wardrobe.

The cuffs, collar, and hem on Naadam’s The Original Cashmere Sweater are well constructed. 

The cashmere quality is remarkably good. The Original Cashmere Sweater is crafted from fine, long-fiber Grade A cashmere, featuring 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 yet warm cashmere fiber. The brand’s transparency about the source of its cashmere is a refreshing touch for a sweater at this price point.

After we hand-washed the Original sweater, it emerged with a noticeable increase in surface fluff—likely a sign that the sweater’s long cashmere fibers are blended with shorter, more fluff-prone ones. Regardless, the cashmere performed exceptionally well in our tests. When we tugged on the sweater’s sleeve, the knit quickly sprang back into shape. It took prolonged and vigorous rubbing with our fingers to produce a tiny pill, thanks in part to a “proprietary finishing technique” that Naadam uses to reduce pilling. (Note: All cashmere will pill eventually; however, you can minimize pilling with proper care and remove existing pills using a cashmere comb.) This combination of quality and performance makes the Original sweater a standout investment for your wardrobe.

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• This sweater’s slight fuzziness and sub-$100 price indicate a blend of fine and shorter cashmere fibers, yet it still offers impressive quality and softness.
• Two Walletrays staffers noted that their Original Cashmere Sweaters developed significant pilling within the first few months of wear, while three others reported only minimal pilling after several years, highlighting varying experiences in durability.

Sizes: men’s XXS to XXL; women’s XXS to XXL

Colors: 10 to 25, depending on the season

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A luxurious $200 women’s turtleneck: Italic Emma Cashmere Relaxed Turtleneck Sweater

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 around $200.

It feels pricier than it is. The Emma Sweater’s Grade A Mongolian cashmere feels incredibly supple and high-end, standing out in contrast to similar, reasonably priced cashmere sweaters we tried that seemed artificially smooth due to chemical softeners. The material looks refined, bounces back quickly when stretched, and produces very little fuzz. While all cashmere has the potential to pill, ours settled into a smooth finish after a couple of wears.

It’s extra toasty. The Emma Sweater features a seven-gauge knit, making it thicker and warmer than many others we tested. 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. The generous ribbing along the hem and cuffs helps seal out cold air, enhancing its warmth.

It’s comfy, stylish, and flattering. Unlike some turtlenecks that 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 for added comfort.

This is a thoughtfully constructed sweater, featuring raglan sleeves that create a smooth fit at the shoulder. The fully fashioned sleeves—knit rather than sewn together—lie perfectly flat, looking great whether you leave them down or push them up, and they stay in place thanks to the springy, high-quality ribbing.

The Italic Emma Cashmere Relaxed Turtleneck Sweater has sturdy, substantial ribbing at the cuffs and hem, which looks stylish and keeps out the cold. 

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 choose to sign up, it costs $60 per year, which provides you with $60 in annual merchandise credit—$15 immediately and another $15 every three months—along with free shipping and returns, and access to exclusive sales. This flexibility makes the Emma Sweater even more accessible while maintaining its high-end appeal.

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• We’ve noticed that the Emma sweater goes out of stock frequently.
• We discovered a few pills on this sweater, but after a couple of wears, the fibers settled to a smooth finish.
• It comes in a limited range of sizes.

Sizes: women’s XS to XL

Colors: five

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A men’s cashmere sweater that’s rugged and practical: Patagonia Men’s Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

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.

The Recycled Cashmere Crewneck is blended with a small amount (5%) of wool, which makes it thicker and more durable. 

It has a slightly relaxed, just-right fit. This classic crewneck-style sweater is not too tight and not too loose, fitting true to size with ample room for the wearer to move freely. It accommodates broad shoulders and an athletic build effortlessly. On our 5-foot-9 male tester, the sleeves of a size medium hit just past the wrists, while the cuffs are long enough to roll up if necessary. We also appreciate the sweater’s snug but comfortable ribbed neck, enhancing both style and coziness.

Though this sweater skews more casual than our other picks, it still looks put together and is versatile enough for various occasions. It would be just as well suited for a nice evening out as it would be for a brisk hike, making it a stylish and practical addition to your wardrobe.

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The look of this sweater may be a touch too utilitarian for some people’s tastes.
• Made with a blend of 95% recycled cashmere and 5% wool, this sweater doesn’t feel as silky-soft and refined as our 100% cashmere picks. The trade-off, however, is more durability—and a lower environmental impact.

Sizes: men’s XS to XXL

Colors: four

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A boxy, slightly cropped women’s crewneck: La Ligne Mini Toujours Sweater

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. (Note: A men’s version of this style, the La Ligne Mr. Toujours Sweater, was released after this guide was published; we have not yet tested it.) With its chic, boxy silhouette and sumptuous ribbed knit, this slightly cropped crew has an easygoing elegance. Yes, it’s pricey—but the sweater’s thick, luxurious cashmere and durable construction will last for many years to come. Plus, it comes in lots of solid colors as well as striped options to suit a variety of tastes.

Like our Naadam cashmere pick, the Mini sweater can be personalized; for an additional $40, La Ligne will monogram up to three initials on the lower left sleeve.

The boxy, slightly cropped shape of the Mini Sweater is effortlessly chic. With a dropped shoulder and unusually long arms, the body of the sweater is a bit cropped, measuring 19 inches in length for a size XXS and 21.5 inches for a size XL. The overall effect is easy and casually elegant—think Parisian girl style—making it 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, and she found the size small to be “just right.” The long sleeves covered her hands, but they’re easy to roll up, with the hefty knit keeping them securely in place. We found that the cuffed sleeves perfectly complemented the sweater’s unforced vibe, enhancing its stylish appeal.

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.

The La Ligne Mini Toujours Sweater has extra-long sleeves that look good when cuffed, and the thick ribbing of the knit keeps them in place. 

It’s durably constructed. The Mini Sweater’s substantial knit is resilient and springy, showing no signs of stretching or unraveling at the collar, hem, or cuffs. Its prominent, fully fashioned shoulder seams—indicating that the pieces have been knit rather than cut and sewn together—serve as both an eye-catching design detail and a sign of lasting, quality construction.

Because it’s so well-made, it’s possible to find great deals on pre-owned versions of this sweater that are still in beautiful condition. We spotted one for over 60 percent off on La Ligne’s online resale marketplace, Re-Ligne, making this stylish piece an even more accessible investment.

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• At over $300, this sweater is spendy, but it’s worth the investment; it’s as well-made as sweaters that cost twice as much.

Sizes: women’s XXS to 3X

Colors: nine solid, six striped

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A lightweight women’s open-front cardigan: White + Warren Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan

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, providing a breathable layer of warmth on cool summer evenings and serving as a perfect base layer under a coat or jacket during chillier months without adding 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 features a flowy, open-front cut that cascades beautifully down the body, likely landing around mid-thigh depending on your height. The shawl collar feels breezy and elegant, while the close-fitting sleeves prevent the sweater from appearing too voluminous. However, the Trapeze Cardigan comes in a limited size range (women’s XS to XL only), and if you plan to wear it over long-sleeve tops, we recommend sizing up, as the arms are cut quite slim.

If you prefer a shorter cut, the Trapeze Cardigan is available in a hip-length mini version.

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.

The White + Warren Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan is long and drapey—perfect for layering over or under other clothing. 

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.

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Like our Italic sweater pick, this cardigan comes in a limited range of sizes (women’s XS to XL); we wish the sizing were far more inclusive.
• The Trapeze Cardigan’s light weight is both a blessing and a curse—though we love its airiness, delicacy, and layering potential, it’s also less durable and more stretch-prone than our other, sturdier picks.
• It’s expensive. We recommend investing in this sweater only if you’re willing to treat it with care.

Sizes: women’s XS to L

Colors: seven

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A splurge-worthy unisex sweater with statement designs: Leret Leret Crewneck Cashmere Sweater

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 beloved childhood blanket: immediately warm, soft, and comforting. The smooth, refined 12-gauge, two-ply knit insulates without adding bulk, while 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, and 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 goats that provide material for high-end cashmere specialist Loro Piana, which partly explains this sweater’s hefty price tag.) The cashmere feels luxuriously sumptuous and soft, featuring a smooth, fine knit that snaps back effortlessly when stretched. Its fully fashioned construction—where seams are knitted together rather than cut and sewn—further enhances its durability and polished look.

We tested the Leret Leret Crewneck Cashmere Sweater in the limited-edition No. 19 design, which is no longer available. Its bold snake graphic garnered a lot of attention. 

It has a relaxed shape. This crewneck sweater features a unisex style with a long, easy silhouette and a bit more leeway in the torso. To achieve the perfect, slouchy fit, be sure to check your measurements carefully against Leret Leret’s size chart; if you find yourself between two sizes, we recommend opting for the larger one to ensure maximum comfort and style.

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Flaws but not dealbreakers

• This is our priciest pick. Though this sweater feels truly special, it’s a lot to spend—especially with the knowledge that all cashmere pills eventually.
• Since this sweater has a unisex cut, finding a flattering fit may be tricky for some people. For example, it may be too long in the torso if you’re petite.
• The sweater’s greatest asset—that it’s so memorable and unique—could make you reluctant to wear it as often as you would a wardrobe staple. (Or else, y’know, risk becoming “gummy bear sweater guy.”)

Sizes: unisex XXS to XXL

Colors: 50-plus limited-edition designs, with new styles released annually

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How we picked and tested

We found a dizzying number of cashmere sweaters available. To determine which ones to test, we interviewed designers and industry experts, spending hours reading reviews and scrolling through fashion sites.

Given that cashmere sweaters can be eye-wateringly expensive, we set a price cap of $500 per sweater. Every sweater we considered was 100% cashmere, except for one that contained 5% wool.

For the first edition of this guide, two testers—a 5-foot-9 female wearing a women’s small and a 5-foot-9 male wearing a men’s medium—evaluated 22 men’s, women’s, and unisex styles. In 2023, a 5-foot-6 female tester wearing a women’s medium retested our top pick from Naadam against three other under-$100 cashmere sweaters in a head-to-head matchup, ensuring we covered a range of quality and price points.

We judged each sweater based on the following:

Texture

Good cashmere should be incredibly soft, smooth, and not the slightest bit itchy. The smoothest and strongest cashmere yarns are spun from the longest, thinnest fibers. While brands don’t typically disclose their fiber length and diameter, we’ve found that touching the fabric offers valuable clues. 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, so we sought out sweaters in various weights that would be comfortable in a range of climates. We also considered two knitwear-specific specifications: 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; they often use finer yarn, making them feel smooth and lightweight. Lower-gauge sweaters typically feature 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. While classic designs are great, we also noted compelling 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, although 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 found along the shoulders or where the arms meet the body, indicate 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, looking for knits that quickly bounced back to their original shape rather than stretching or warping. We examined the individual fabrics, noting the amount of fuzz on the surface; more fuzz indicates shorter fibers, which are more prone to pilling, stretching, and tearing.

While all cashmere will pill eventually, the severity depends on quality and your diligence in caring for your sweater. We firmly rubbed the arm of each sweater to assess pilling—immediate pilling is a sign that it likely won’t last more than a few seasons. This comprehensive approach helps us identify the best cashmere options for your wardrobe.

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Why is cashmere so expensive?

Cashmere comes from the ultra-soft undercoats of select alpine goat species. Its quality and cost primarily depend on the length and fineness of the fibers, as well as the skill and precision required to collect it.

Much of the best cashmere for sweaters originates from Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, where cashmere goats thrive in harsh, high-altitude environments. To endure frigid winter temperatures, these goats grow a double-coated fleece, featuring coarse wool on top and a dense layer 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 can retain the longest, thinnest hairs from the undercoat, allowing for smoother, stronger yarn.

Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 tons of cashmere are harvested each year, but after scouring and dehairing, only 6,500 tons of pure cashmere make it to market. In contrast, around 1 million tons of wool are produced in the same period. This scarcity, combined with a growing global appetite for luxury goods, explains why cashmere is such a high-priced commodity. The best long-fiber cashmere is especially rare, as heritage brands like Italy’s Loro Piana—where you can easily spend thousands on a single sweater—purchase the majority of premium-grade cashmere.

However, cashmere has become considerably more accessible in the past decade, largely due to China’s efforts to increase production. We conducted a special round of testing focusing on these less-expensive offerings, recommending a couple of 100% cashmere sweaters priced under $100, including our pick from Naadam and a $50 option from Quince.

To keep costs down, makers of most inexpensive cashmere sweaters often use yarn spun from coarser, shorter, and broken fibers, which may not last as long. Yet, 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.

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Other cashmere sweaters worth considering

If you want ultra-soft cashmere at an unbeatable price: The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (women’s, $50; women’s extended sizes, $60; men’s, $60), made from Grade A, two-ply cashmere, delivers shockingly good quality for the price. We love the sweater’s whisper-soft feel and flattering shape—with snug ribbing at the lower hem—and appreciate its reinforced construction, as it has fully fashioned marks at the shoulder. In September 2024, Quince retooled this crewneck, adding 20 percent more cashmere (and more long fibers) to the knit. We’ve tested the new version, and it does indeed feel more substantial and luxe. It still has noticeable surface fluff, and pills more easily than we’d like, but at this price, some compromises are to be expected. This sweater is available in women’s sizes XS to 3X and in men’s sizes S to XXL, in a wide selection of colors.

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The competition

This is not an exhaustive list of everything we tested; rather, it highlights the selections that are still available. We aimed to curate a collection of high-quality cashmere sweaters that meet our rigorous standards while remaining accessible to a variety of budgets.

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Women’s

The Equipment Sanni Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater has a cool slouchy cut, and its thick-ribbed collar is nicely structured, but the fabric felt disappointingly mushy and flimsy.

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 original, thinner version of 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 Uniqlo Cashmere Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Sweater (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.

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Men’s

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.

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Men’s and women’s

Everlane’s Cashmere Crew (men’s and women’s) fits well and feels warm, featuring high-quality reinforced ribbing around the neck and cuffs. While our testers found it slightly itchy, it remains a nice cashmere sweater at a reasonable price, especially if you’re not overly sensitive to texture. This blend of quality construction and accessibility makes it a solid addition to any wardrobe.

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Sources

1. Nadia Monosova, director of product development and technical design, Amicale Cashmere, email interview, August 13 and October 14, 2020
2. Timothy Leung, pattern maker, Rag & Bone, email interview, August 10, 2020
3. Lisa Pomerantz, luxury branding executive, LFP Collective, phone interview, August 23, 2020