It’s happening again: a cold snap, a morning scramble for mittens, and—if you’re like me—pulling out all of my cashmere sweaters. And I am a longtime lover of cashmere. Cashmere is warm, soft, and is one of the few fabrics I have worn to both black-tie events and the ski slopes. In winter, I wear cashmere sweaters daily – either lounging at home with sweatpants (yup, I’ve even slept in cashmere), running errands in the cold, or going out at night, whether fancy or casual.
There are few closet pieces that get as much use as my cashmere sweaters.
Not only does cashmere drape beautifully – which is the reason it’ll never look out of place at fancy events – but it has some serious performance cred, too. Like technical fabrics, cashmere is made for exercise – it’s moisture-wicking and breathable, so you can wear it for sweaty endeavors like skiing (it’s the best midlayer) or cold-weather hiking. Because cashmere is a natural fiber, it washes up beautifully, and doesn’t take on bad smells like other performance fabrics.
Each year, in order to create this guide, I spend a few months researching, ordering, trying on, and sending back dozens of cashmere sweaters. And this year has been my biggest try-on to date. At last count, I have tried on…hold on…OMG: a whopping 94(!!) cashmere sweaters.
Good grief. Never let it be said that we don’t try.
But I do think this research is important! A cashmere sweater, is, in general, a splurge item. So figuring out which cashmere sweaters are worth shelling out for is where I come in.
For the purposes of this guide, I’m only focusing on cashmere sweaters under $550. While there is plenty of cashmere on the market that retails for $600 or more, I don’t think they’re worth the extra cost. And don’t worry: most of the cashmere in this guide is well below $550!
This guide is broken down into three main sections: The best cashmere pullover sweaters (I narrowed it down to 11 total), the best cashmere cardigans (4 total), and the honorable mentions (sorted by brand, plenty of good stuff in this category, too).
Keep reading for photos and full reviews, but here’s quick punchlist of a few favorites in each category:
- Best Cashmere Sweater Overall – this one
- Best Cashmere Cardigan Overall – this one
- Best Everyday Cashmere Sweater – this one
- Best Under $100 – this one
- The Plus-Size Sweaters – one | two | three | four | five
- Best Striped – this one
- Best For Work – this one
- Best For Parties – this one
- Best Color Selection – this one (size up!)
- Most Fashion-Forward – this one
The 11 Best Cashmere Sweater Pullovers (Including Chunky Knits, Boxy, Classic, Fisherman, and Stripes)
If you’ve been reading for a while, some of the cashmere sweaters featured should be familiar – this Vince sweater, for example, gets the award for being one of our longest-running sweaters to be featured in this guide. And for good reason! That boiled cashmere is ridiculously thick and soft, and I was thrilled to see that Vince doubled down this year with an expanded color selection.
In general, the very best cashmere sweaters for 2025 are all from Reformation. Not only are these sweaters made from 95% recycled cashmere (kudos, Ref!) but they’re almost impossibly thick and ridiculously soft. If you want me to summarize this entire guide into one sentence: Buy Ref cashmere (be wary of this one*).
*shrinks too much in the wash
Let’s get into it!!
1. Reformation Cove Cashmere Oversized Crew
Where To Buy: Reformation (all colors) | Nordstrom (toast only)
- ETHICS: Made from 95% Recycled Cashmere, plus Ref is an industry leader in sustainable fibers and practices
- SIZE RANGE: XS – XL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing a small)
- PRICE: $298
If you are looking for just ONE major cashmere sweater to invest in this year…it’s Ref’s Cove Sweater. This cashmere sweater is impossibly thick and ridiculously soft – gone are the days that “recycled cashmere” meant scratchy. The fit is oversized, but in a cool-girl, luxurious way – this sweater still fits. In fact, this fit is one of the main reasons this cashmere sweater gets my absolute top pick. Unlike other cashmere sweaters with a similar heft and softness level (COS comes to mind), most other brands don’t get the fit right: there’s either an overwhelming (and annoying) turtle/funnel neck situation, the sweater is too large to fit under a coat, or is just completely overwhelming.
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
With Ref’s Cove Cashmere sweater, you get serious luxury (in a whopping 95% recycled cashmere) with beautiful drape, incredible softness, and a fresh silhouette that will actually play nicely with the jeans & coats in your closet. This sweater is available in three pretty colors, as well as this cool varsity stripe:
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
2. Reformation Jadey Cashmere Oversized V-Neck Sweater
Where To Buy: Reformation (all 9 colors) | Saks (black only)
- ETHICS: Made from 95% Recycled Cashmere, plus Ref is an industry leader in sustainable fibers and practices
- SIZE RANGE: XS – XL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing a small)
- PRICE: $298
Made from the same luxuriously drapey cashmere as Ref’s Cove Crewneck Sweater, the Jadey V-Neck has a slightly longer body and a v-neckline that feels more racy than it actually is. The vibe of this sweater is almost boyfriend-esque, like something you stole from his closet. There is something almost sexy about this sweater.
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
The color I’m wearing is ‘daschund’ but there are 9 gorgeous colors to choose from (including one varsity stripe that’s fun).
3. Everlane Boxy Cashmere Crew
Where To Buy: Everlane (9 total colors)
- ETHICS: Made from a blend of GRS-certified recycled cashmere and GCS-certified responsible cashmere (exact % not given)
- SIZE RANGE: XXS – XXL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing a small)
- PRICE: $198
If you’re looking for an everyday, mid-weight cashmere sweater to just throw on (with zero thought required)…Everlane nailed it. It’s the perfect shape: boxy and *almost* cropped. This sweater drapes beautifully and gets glowing reviews for fit (reviewers with larger busts appreciate how it hits, too). I think of this one as a fresh update on the classic black cashmere sweater.
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots | earrings
While this sweater has been around for years, I found previous versions too thin and too scratchy. But Everlane has re-issued it in a newer, premium blend of GRS-certified recycled cashmere and GCS-certified responsible cashmere and I can definitely feel the difference! Is this the softest cashmere sweater on the list? Nah. But it’s definitely soft, and for the price (under $200) and responsible fibers, it’s a total win.
This sweater is available in 9 total colors (including two striped options!).
4. Theory Cashmere Crop Sweater
Where To Buy: Bloomingdales (all 6 colors) | Saks (5 colors) | Nordstrom (5 colors)
- ETHICS: Unknown
- SIZE RANGE: XS – L
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing a small)
- PRICE: $345
This sweater from Theory, new to our cashmere guide this year, is very similar to Everlane’s boxy cashmere sweater, but with higher-end details and a thicker knit. Available in 5 gorgeous shades, this sweater is a little more cropped.
But it’s that dramatic shoulder seam that is soooo freaking good:
Where To Buy: Bloomingdales (all 6 colors) | Saks (5 colors) | Nordstrom (5 colors)
Theory’s cropped cashmere sweater is also available in a v-neck version as well. Both are great!
V-Neck Sweater: Shopbop (hunter green) | Nordstrom (black, hunter green) | Saks (black)
5. Lou Lou Studio Anzor Cashmere Sweater
Where To Buy: Saks (black or red, almost sold out) | Bergdorf (black, all sizes) | Nordstrom (taupe or ivory, almost sold out) | SSENSE – black, taupe, brown, ivory
- ETHICS: Made from Oeko-Tex®-certified cashmere sweater
- SIZE RANGE: XS – XL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing a small)
- PRICE: $410
I discovered this French brand last year and was completely blown away. Their cashmere sweaters have a really fresh, updated, impeccable fit, with extra design details that make them wildly better than others. The hemline is curved *just* right, the sleeves are extra-long (so they scrunch in that cool-kid kind of way), and there’s that shoulder seam detail that is just freaking good.
Where To Buy: Saks (black or red, almost sold out) | Bergdorf (black, all sizes) | Nordstrom (taupe or ivory, almost sold out) | SSENSE – black, taupe, brown, ivory
These sweaters are just annoyingly hard to find in stock. I’m wearing a size small.
6. J.Crew Cashmere Relaxed Crew
Where To Buy: J.Crew (7 total colors)
- ETHICS: Meets AbTF’s The Good Cashmere Standard®
- SIZE RANGE: XXXS – 3XL
- FIT: Runs a bit big (I stayed with my true size, small)
- PRICE: $158
I’ve tried on a ton of “classic” cashmere sweaters – from Quince, Nadaam, Lands’ End, Nordstrom and J.Crew – but this one, with its relaxed, updated shape – is my personal favorite. Available in 6 tightly edited colors (plus one seriously gorgeous stripe) this one has been a no-brainer. It’s lightweight, drapey, and soft enough. While I *can* tuck it in, I love that this shape can be worn untucked. It’s the right mix of polished and slouchy.
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
7. Vince Funnel Neck Cashmere Sweater
Where To Buy: Nordstrom (12 colors ) | Saks (8 colors) | Shopbop (3 colors)
- ETHICS: Unknown
- SIZE RANGE: XXS – XL
- FIT: TTS (Wearing a size small)
- PRICE: $425
This Vince funnel neck sweater has made it into every cashmere guide we’ve published since we started five (six?) years ago! There are two things that make this sweater really special and unique: First, this sweater is knit from a boiled cashmere wool, which makes this sweater denser, thicker, and softer than most cashmere sweaters. It’s a truly dreamy sweater and sooo warm.
Second, the funnel neck is so sophisticated. Wear this sweater to work, pop it on for a zoom call, or make your tired, messy bun look intentional and chic.
It also doesn’t hurt that Vince has doubled down in recent years and have been issuing this sweater in the most gorgeous colors. I’m wearing ‘Jake Lake’.
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
8. Quince Cashmere Fisherman Sweater
Where To Buy: Quince (9 colors)
- ETHICS: Unknown
- SIZE RANGE: XS – XL
- FIT: Runs small (I’m wearing a medium)
- PRICE: $98
This sweater is here because it is the best under-$100 cashmere sweater on the market, hands-down! It is not sustainably made, nor does it come in extended sizes. But if you are looking for a budget-friendly option, there’s nothing better.
Is this sweater as good as the very similar Jenni Kayne? Nope. But it’s really close as long as you size up one full size AND stick to the darker colors. In side-by-side comparisons, you almost can’t tell the darker sweaters apart. But in the lighter colors (ivory, etc) the Quince sweater is decidedly more sheer. Quince, being the cheaper option, also has a slightly smaller body, but I’ve found that sizing up one size results in a very similar look as the Jenni Kayne.
sweater (m) | jeans (27) | boots
9. Jenni Kayne Fisherman Cashmere Sweater
Where To Buy: Jenni Kayne (7 colors)
- ETHICS: Has AbTF’s The Good Cashmere Standard® Certificate
- SIZE RANGE: XS – 3XL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing my usual size small)
- PRICE: Under $395
The fisherman sweater that launched a thousand lookalikes, this is still one of my very favorite sweaters. I’ve worn this thing running errands, out at night, and skiing. I’ve washed it in the washing machine (lay flat to dry). It’s a total workhorse. The softness is next level, and the drape is great. I can recommend this sweater in any color you like, and the fit is TTS (or size up for a boyfriend-y look).
I also appreciate the size range here (one of the few plus-size cashmere sweaters I could find).
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
10. La Ligne Mini Toujours Striped Cashmere Sweater
Where To Buy: La Ligne (7 colorways) | Net-A-Porter (navy stripes or black stripes)
- ETHICS: Supports marginalized communities, Pre-loved shop available
- SIZE RANGE: XXS – 3XL
- FIT: TTS (Wearing a size small)
- PRICE: $325
This is such a classic, dreamy sweater. The texture is so good (it *almost* has the feel of a fisherman knit), yet is bananas soft and the shape is PERFECTION. I actually wish Universities would study this sweater, hold It up as an example Of How Stripes Should Be Done. See how they’re, like, perfectly positioned? And how the arm stripes aren’t overwhelming? Gahhhh SO GOOD.
In the photo above, I’m wearing the black & tan striped sweater, so here’s the navy & white:
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
I’m having a hard time deciding between the two colorways – they actually read very similar. Thoughts?
11. Naadam Super Luxe Cashmere Double Faced Crewneck Sweater
Where To Buy: Naadam (2 colors, both reversible)
- ETHICS: Sustainably made
- SIZE RANGE: XXS – 3XL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing a small)
- PRICE: $298
Naadam’s Double Faced Crewneck sweater is part of Nadaam’s most luxurious line of cashmere, and it is, indeed VERY thick and soft. This sweater has a dense, substantial feel and is reversible. While reversible clothing rarely lives up to the promise (I’m usually underwhelmed), this sweater is actually great. While the soft mocha brown is pretty…
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
…the black side – with brown piping – really wows! It’s such a cool twist on a basic black sweater.
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
The Best (Not-Boring) Cashmere Cardigans Of 2025
Full disclosure: I’m not *really* a cardigan girl. I often find them boring, a solid way to ruin an outfit. 😉 That said, there are a few cashmere cardigans that are not only not-boring, but are making me re-think my entire stance on cardigans.
12. Reformation Clara Cashmere Cardigan
Where To Buy: Reformation (13 colors) | Nordstrom (7 colors)
- ETHICS: Made from 95% Recycled Cashmere, plus Ref is an industry leader in sustainable fibers and practices
- SIZE RANGE: XS – XL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing a small)
- PRICE: $248
If you’re looking for an everyday, ladylike cardigan in the softest 100% cashmere…this is it. Done. Found. It’s loose (but not too loose), short without being cropped, and is just freaking perfect in every way. I’ve been wearing mine like a shirt, over a pretty bra. There is zero tucking required, and it looks good with every pair of pants I own. I like this so freaking much that I’m actually considering another color (maybe even the argyle??).
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots | earrings
13. Reformation Caspia Cardigan
Where To Buy: Reformation (5 colors)
- ETHICS: Made from 95% Recycled Cashmere, plus Ref is an industry leader in sustainable fibers and practices
- SIZE RANGE: XS – XL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing a small)
- PRICE: $198
This cardigan is shorter and tighter than Ref’s Clara Cardigan, and has really pretty buttons, giving this cardigan a decidedly fancier look. Honestly? I LOVE it. But if you are deciding between the two Ref cardigans, this one is best if you have very fancy parties in your future – in fact, it could even go to a black-tie event, with a ball gown skirt. I wore it to a recent event with this mini skirt (in ‘black rose’). One of my fav outfits ever.
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
14. Jenni Kayne Cropped Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan
Where To Buy: Jenni Kayne (7 colors)
- ETHICS: Has AbTF’s The Good Cashmere Standard® Certificate
- SIZE RANGE: XS – 3XL
- FIT: TTS (I’m wearing my usual size small)
- PRICE: Under $445
While I’m not a fan of Jenni’s regular cocoon cardigan (I find it too long and overwhelming), a reader tipped me off about this newer cropped version and…wow: it’s great. This cardigan is bananas soft, has a really cool cut (hits slightly higher in the front than the back), and basically perfects the whole nonchalant-slouch thing. I also love that I can wear a lacy bra underneath and it just – barely – peeks out. This is a sexy sweater (especially for a cardigan).
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
15. Quince Cashmere Wrap Cardigan
Where To Buy: Quince (4 colors)
Quince’s Wrap Sweater has the texture and design details of a VERY expensive sweater…for under $110 (no wonder the reviews are glowing). This sweater is lofty, thick and super soft – it’s a really cozy piece to wrap around camis, slip dresses, or put next to bare skin.
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots | earrings
I love that I can control the cinch (tight or loose – both work), and it has a cool design feature where the belt can be worn under the sweater in the back (or above it, your choice).
sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots
Cashmere Sweaters Worth An Honorable Mention (Sorted By Brand)
There are a few cashmere sweaters that were too good not to include, but didn’t make it into my personal top 10. That said, I can still happily recommend any of the sweaters in this list, too!
1. Alex Mill Cashmere Sweaters
Where To Buy: V-Neck (4 colors) | Fisherman (8 colors)
Alex Mill cashmere is great. It’s thick, super soft, and the sweaters – like all of Alex Mill’s pieces, honestly – are REALLY well made. I just found this collection a little boring. The Alex Mill V-Neck cashmere sweater is cute (runs TTS) , but is longer than I’d like (might be cuter on someone with a long torso). The fisherman sweater is unisex, so size down, and it has a completely different shape than most cashmere sweaters I’ve tried. Think: longer and unstructured – which means that you can try and blouse it (as I’ve done, above), or tuck it in. But the shape does take getting used to! (I got a blue one for Mike, however – fits him perfectly.) Both sweaters retail for $295.
2. COS Cashmere Sweaters
Where To Buy: left sweater (2 colors) | right sweater (2 colors)
I LOVE COS cashmere. Like…love love LOVE. It’s bananas soft and thick, but the fit is a little off. In general, COS sweaters are too long, and for these two, the neckline isn’t exactly right. But the blue sweater is under $300 and gorgeous, and the tan sweater is one of the thickest, softest cashmere sweaters on this list (that said, it won’t easily fit inside a coat).
3. Guest In Residence Striped Cashmere Polo
Where To Buy: Net-A-Porter (exclusive) | Saks (different colorway, less $$ – also green)
Guest in Residence is Gigi Hadid’s new line, inspired by her parent’s hand-me-downs. The entire winter collection is really freaking cool, with a vintage-y, 70’s (or maybe 80’s) apres-ski vibe. Many of her cashmere sweaters are above my $550 limit for this guide, but there are a few that qualified! This one is so wildly unique (even the big ‘ol collar is cashmere) and the sweater is soft and lightweight. The only thing that gives me pause is that it’s VERY long.
If you’re tall…go nuts. For the rest of us, well. I know it looks amazing tucked in (it’s light enough to easily tuck), but I’ve gotta play around a bit more. It’s a jaw-dropper, for sure.
4. KULE Cashmere Tatum Sweater
Where To Buy: Kule (2 colors)
Kule, a small-ish business we love, has issued a cashmere sweater that isn’t perfect, but is definitely worth considering! My biggest issue is simply the sizing – this sweater runs really small. Even after sizing up one full size (I’m wearing a medium here), this sweater still doesn’t have the lux, oversized look that the photos on their website show. I want this sweater to be a *little* boxier.
That said, the cashmere knit is really special – worth a closer look! In fact, these sweaters are made from some of the most beautiful marled knits I’ve EVER seen:
Where To Buy: Kule (2 colors)
The amount of colors woven into that brown – GOOD GRIEF. So rich & gorgeous! And the ivory sweater is cool-toned, thanks to actual white threads woven through it. Like all Kule pieces, they’re impeccably made, and super soft.
5. J.Crew Brushed Cashmere Sweaters
Where To Buy: crewneck sweater (4 colors) | v-neck sweater (7 colors)
Gang, I can’t decide about these ‘brushed cashmere’ sweaters. While J.Crew’s write-up would have you believe that they “spent the past year developing this luxe, totally unique texture” that “never pills” the reality is that everyone is coming out with brushed cashmere. And, according to a friend who’s been wearing her brushed J.Crew sweater a ton..it does pill. That said, the brushed texture is – literally – the softest, fluffiest thing I’ve ever put on my body, and there’s no doubt that this fluffy texture looks a little…extra. So it could be really fun for the holidays.
6. La Ligne AAA Lean Lines Cashmere Sweater
Where To Buy: La Ligne (11 colors) | Net-A-Porter (cream only)
One of my longtime favorites, I moved this sweater down to honorable mentions only because I didn’t end up wearing it nearly as much last year. It’s not a super thick cashmere sweater, and almost functions more like a long-sleeve cashmere tee. That said, it’s decidedly classic – I’ve been wearing this sweater, in one size or another (haha it changes) since Pax was 3. (He’s now 13.)
5. Nordstrom Cashmere Sweaters
Where To Buy: crewneck sweater (21 colors) | striped turtleneck sweater (4 colorways)
I’ve been wearing Nordstrom cashmere for years, and while it’s not always exciting, it IS hard-working. Their classic crewneck, in particular, can skew v. boring, but my trick is to wait until there’s a color I LOVE (and with 21 options, there’s bound to be something that makes your skin glow), and then I size UP. Like…two sizes. The result is a very slouchy-cool sweater in a gorgeous color. And the striped sweater is surprisingly thick and soft – looks (and feels!) much more expensive than it is (fits is TTS).
6. Quince Cashmere Cropped Fisherman Cardigan
Where To Buy: Quince (6 colors)
Quince’s cropped fisherman sweater is great. While not as luxurious as Jenni Kayne’s, it’s still deliciously soft, with a cute, swingy cut, and a price point that’s under $120. Fit is TTS (I’m wearing a size small).
That’s it! And if you’ve made it this far…CONGRATULATIONS. You are now a Level 10 Cashmere-Lover. 😉
But seriously – I’d love to know what your favorite cashmere sweaters are these days. Did I miss any good ones?
xo,
S