The 8 Best Cashmere Sweaters Money Can Buy (I Know—I Tried Them)

A closet staple that's timeless regardless of the season? Sweaters. But not just any sweaters—cashmere, to be exact. I know cashmere has the reputation of being a luxury that's expensive and out of reach, but it offers more warmth and comfort compared to wool or fabric blends. Stylist Coco Schiffer adds that it is one of the longest-lasting fabrics on the market, making it worth the investment. Plus, thanks to a handful of amazing brands such as Naadam and Nordstrom, it's no longer reserved for the budgetless shopper.

Before you scroll further and hit "purchase" on a cashmere sweater, it's important to assess what you're looking for in the item. Pay attention to the style, warmth, and weight you'd want, as these are important factors in making the sweater a long-lasting staple you can rely on. For example, if you live somewhere where winter weather only occasionally exists, a lightweight cashmere vest to easily layer with will probably be more useful than a heavier turtleneck. If you're someone who likes to stay ultra-comfortable at home, a cashmere set will make an excellent addition to your cold-weather wardrobe versus just one sweater. Also, care is key, as most cashmere sweaters should be hand-washed. Trust me—the efforts are worth it. At least, you won't have to do the searching because I did that for you.

Below, I pulled together cashmere options in different styles and budgets for you to make your selection, from an under-$120 J.Crew pick editors rave about to the Jenni Kayne option that I already know I'll be living in for the next several months. Keep scrolling to read my reviews and shop the best cashmere sweaters on the market right now.

The best cashmere sweaters, according to WWW editors:

• Editor-Favorite Sweater: J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck ($118)
• Best for Layering Under a Coat: Éterne Francis Sweater ($375)
• Best Polo-Neck Style: Naadam Signature Cashmere Polo Sweater ($178)
• Best Color Assortment: Nordstrom Crewneck Cashmere Sweater ($149)
• Best Shell: Aritzia Bare Cashmere Crew Sweater Vest ($118)
• Best Oversize Fit: Jenni Kayne Cashmere Amelia Crewneck ($525)
• Best V-Neck Sweater: Vince Cashmere Weekend V-Neck Sweater ($325)
• Best Turtleneck: COS Chunky Pure Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater ($375)

Best Editor-Loved Cashmere Sweater

J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck

I knew J.Crew was the source for some pretty stellar knits, but it wasn't until I started chatting about my hunt for the best cashmere that I heard the retailer's name repeated over and over. When I polled my fashion-editor colleagues for their favorite cashmere sweaters, they were nearly unanimous in their rave reviews of J.Crew—specifically the Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck. "I have owned over 100 cashmere sweaters in my life and rate J.Crew's Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck at the very top of my all-time list," shared senior editor Eliza Huber. Associate editor Sierra Mayhew echoed this, saying, "A lot of cashmere sweaters I've owned have bored me, but this cropped one ended up being so flattering at my waistline. My next cashmere-sweater order will be for this same style in a different colorway."

Considering its waistline-hugging fit, beautiful range of classic and seasonal colors (hello to this pretty butter yellow), and editor endorsement, I'm truly shocked that it still managed to ring up at $118. Talk about a triple (quadruple?) threat.

Product specs: 100% cashmere, XXXS–3X, true to size, shrunken fit that hits above the hips, produced in a Fair Trade Certified facility

You know how they say "If you love something, you should buy it in every color"? Once I realized just how good the fit and feel were, I couldn't help myself. I went back and ordered the same style in black, and I'm already eyeing the charcoal gray for my next J.Crew order. I rarely buy multiples of an item, but this one just might be the exception.

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Best Thin Layering Sweater

Éterne Francis Sweater

There are many cashmere sweaters out there, and truthfully, a lot of them are on the plain side of the style spectrum. Éterne's Francis Sweater is one of the few exceptions. Fit-wise, it's a boxy, cropped shape that hits at the perfect hip height. Considering the fact that celebrity stylist Chloé Bartoli is behind things, I'd expect nothing less from the insider-favorite basics brand. Schiffer is in full agreement—Éterne is quickly becoming a favorite of hers, specifically for the lightweight cuts and shapes of its cashmere. The Francis Sweater has been a trusty travel companion for years now. It's surprisingly warm for being as light as air and thin, which makes it the perfect layer to wear on and off the plane and underneath coats and jackets throughout the winter.

Product specs: 100% cashmere, XS/S–L/XL, loose but slightly cropped fit, runs small

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Best Cashmere Polo Sweater

Naadam Signature Cashmere Polo Sweater

Naadam has been one of my go-to sweater brands for a while now because the styles are classic and versatile but always have a little something *extra* to them. Take this polo-neck pullover, for instance. It's not hard to see why this style is one of the brand's best sellers. It features a relaxed collar and V neckline and is crafted from Naadam's 100% sustainable cashmere from ethical Mongolian farms.

Product specs: 100% Mongolian cashmere, XXS–3X, boxy fit, three classic colors

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Best Color Assortment

Nordstrom Crewneck Cashmere Sweater

Three generations of my family have been shopping Nordstrom's brand-name cashmere for as long as I can remember—so much so that we still refer to the year my grandparents gifted all us kids and cousins with matching sweaters as "the cashmere Christmas." Suffice it to say, I'm a big fan. The classic crewneck fit, wide range of colors, and attractive price point make this one of the best quality knits I tried for the value.

Product specs: 100% cashmere, XXS–XXL, true to size, wide range of classic and seasonal colors, 4.4-star Nordstrom rating

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Best Cashmere Shell

Aritzia Bare Cashmere Crew Sweater Vest

I always knew that a cashmere pullover was a wardrobe nonnegotiable, but I quickly realized that a cashmere shell is just as essential, though far less talked about. There's just something so '90s about this sleeveless knit, especially paired with blue jeans and kitten heels. It reminds me of something Rachel Green would have worn in an episode of Friends. Aritzia's cashmere game is severely underrated. The day I unboxed this, our associate fashion editor Yusra Siddiqui leaned over my desk to share that she just ordered a pair of cashmere joggers from the brand, too, and was blown away by how soft they felt.

Product specs: 100% Grade-A cashmere certified by The Good Cashmere Standard, 2XS–XL, black and gray colorways

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Best Oversize Fit

Jenni Kayne Cashmere Amelia Crewneck

I'd long since heard nothing but stellar remarks about the cashmere knits from Jenni Kayne ("Their classic silhouettes make it a no-brainer investment," says Schiffer), so I was already eager to try the brand and had pretty high hopes for the sweater I ordered. Well, the fashion-insider rumblings didn't lie because as soon as I left the house in the Cashmere Amelia Crewneck, I knew it was game over. In fact, I wore it three times the week I got it because it was truly just heavenly to wear and beyond easy to style. The oversize fit and large weave are such a dream. It's not the easiest piece to layer underneath coats unless your coat is also an oversize fit, but that's okay because it's the piece I'll be wearing for as long as I can get away with going layer-free.

Product specs: 100% cashmere, 4.8-star rating, oversize fit, three neutral colorways

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Best V-Neck Cashmere Sweater

Vince Cashmere Weekend V-Neck Sweater

The fit and quality from Vince are just something you have to experience to truly understand, but if I had to describe the way this cashmere feels, the only word I could use is heavenly. While some cashmere is soft and fluffy, I'd say this Vince V-neck is smooth and weighty, which gives is an overall polished look. I can see myself reaching for this when I want to look elevated and chic without putting in too much effort.

Product specs: 100% cashmere, XXS–XL, relaxed fit, ribbed hems, classic neutral colorways

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Best Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

COS Chunky Pure Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

I still have a number of COS pieces in my closet that I've had for years. They've held up surprisingly well over time, and I continue to be impressed by the quality of the brand's newest collections. I can already tell that the relaxed-fit cashmere turtleneck I tried is a piece I'll have in my closet for a long, long time. Yes, cherry red may be trending right now, but this deeper shade of scarlet is one that that can withstand the trend cycles because it feels more timeless. A bold-hued turtleneck is the kind of piece that basically styles itself—I just added trouser shorts and boots and called it a day.

Product specs: 100% GCS-certified cashmere, XS–L, relaxed fit, wide ribbed turtleneck

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What to Look for in a Cashmere Sweater

When I asked Schiffer for her cashmere-shopping wisdom, her number-one piece of advice was the think about a cashmere sweater as a true investment piece. "Because I'll probably have this piece for years, I try to stick to neutral colors and silhouettes and avoid any trendy patterns or cuts. I also pay close attention to the brand behind the cashmere to ensure reliability that the garment is of quality and will hold up year over year," she explained, naming labels like Jenni Kayne, Éterne, and COS as her go-tos.

When it comes to cashmere-sweater maintenance, however, Schiffer recommends storing yours in an airtight bag to prevent any excess moisture or damage to the piece during the warmer months when you're not keeping it in frequent rotation. For laundering, dry-cleaning is her first instinct, but you can hand-wash it in cold water and lay it flat to dry, too, if necessary. Finally, pilling is a natural part of the cashmere life cycle, Schiffer noted, so it's a good idea to have a cashmere comb or sweater shaver on hand.