The 11 Best Cashmere Sweaters To Buy In 2023, According to Experts and Editors

As the leaves begin to change and the temperatures start dropping, there’s never been a better time to update your wardrobe with a cozy cashmere sweater. From cardigans to pullovers, chunky styles to cropped, there’s no shortage of options that promise to keep you looking oh-so-chic while staying nice and warm. To help live out our comfy fantasy, we perused dozens of pieces and pulled together a list of the top 11 best cashmere sweaters on the internet, including the luxurious, editor-approved Jenni Kayne cashmere cocoon cardigan ($495; $372) that feels like an all-day hug, to this affordable (but fabulous) Quince Mongolian cashmere crewneck ($50), which is made with the highest-grade cashmere and available in every color under the sun. 

So, why should you invest? “Cashmere is renowned for its unparalleled softness and luxurious feel against the skin,” says expert Erin Fortin, director of apparel design at Garnet Hill. “As a hypoallergenic material, it surpasses regular wool in insulation while remaining lightweight and naturally resistant to wrinkles, making it an excellent choice when traveling.” While cashmere tends to boast a high price tag, adding a cashmere sweater or two to your winter wardrobe is totally worth it since the material is “versatile and breathable enough to be worn year-round,” says Veronica Tan, senior director of apparel and accessories at Quince. We’re already on board, and after taking a peek at these top picks, you certainly won’t need much more convincing.

• Veronica Tan is the senior director of apparel and accessories at Quince. Prior to Quince, she held merchandising roles at Stitch Fix, Pedder Group, Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor. She holds a BA in marketing, international management from Boston University. 
• Erin Fortin, director of apparel design at Garnet Hill, is a long-standing product design lead for the Garnet Hill brand, who is most passionate about her design work within the sweaters category. Erin’s love for sweater design took her on a journey to Inner Mongolia, where she was fortunate to have an up-close and in-person look at the cashmere production process from “farm to sweater.” Fortin holds a BFA in fashion design from Pratt Institute.

“Not all cashmere is created equally,” says Fortin. She explains cashmere fibers are typically separated into three grades of quality based on their fineness: A, B and C. Grade A typically consists of the finest and softest fibers, while grade B and C have progressively thicker and less soft fibers, she says. Tan says the grading system “refers to the microns of width per hair, and the less microns of width per hair, the better and softer the quality.” 

Both experts agree that geography plays an integral role in the quality of the cashmere—materials sourced from areas with higher temperatures tend to yield finer cashmere, according to Fortin, while Tan says goats located in colder regions tend to produce finer and denser hair, while “their limited quantities make cashmere an exclusive and expensive material.”

Why does cashmere tend to err on the pricey side? Well, you’ve got Mother Nature, as well as supply and demand, to thank for that. Fortin says that because cashmere fibers are derived from the goat’s soft inner coat, which makes up a smaller percentage of their fleece—as opposed to their coarse outer coat—you’re left with limited availability and a higher price tag. She adds that “it’s difficult to separate the fine and coarse hairs, so cashmere is usually harvested gently by hand with a comb once a year when the goats naturally start to shed their soft undercoats. The entire cashmere process requires skilled labor, careful handling and attention to detail. Ethical practices, stringent quality control measures and the association with luxury in the fashion industry also play a role in the cost of cashmere.”

With so many incredible cashmere sweater options on the market, we had to do some serious digging to choose the best pieces out there. To determine this list, we prioritized five pieces PureWow editors and testers have personally tried and loved. We then expanded our scope to consider options from other reputable brands our readers know, love and will get excited about showing off. We took into account versatility, overall quality, overall value (is the price worth the squeeze?), helpful features (from pockets to buttons) and recommendations from our experts. Oh, and did we mention there are multiple under-$100 options? Now, let’s get snuggly.

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If you’ve spilled your PSL all over your new cashmere sweater, not to worry—cleaning it *is* possible. Fortin says you should start by filling a basin with cool water and add a small amount of a gentle shampoo or a specially formulated cleanser to the water. Then, she says to place your cashmere in the soapy water and let it soak for a short period. Next, gently agitate the water without rubbing or wringing the sweater, and rinse the sweater with clean water. To remove any excess water, gently press the sweater without twisting it to maintain its fibers. To allow it to maintain its shape and durability, Tan recommends always air drying. 

If you’re only looking to spot clean, Tan suggests occasionally using sweater spray in between washes (after all, she says that you should aim to wear your cashmere between five and six times in between washes). “Just lightly spray and leave your sweater out for a bit before putting it away,” she says. “Pilling is inevitable with all wool and cashmere, but it can be easily removed with gentle strokes of a cashmere comb.”

Fortin adds, “When in doubt, you can always dry clean, but handwashing is typically the gentler approach on your cashmere and your wallet.”

While we wish we could wrap ourselves in cashmere year-round, they’re mostly a cold weather treat, meaning most of us will need to store them during spring or summer months. To do so, Tan recommends storing your cashmere sweaters in a cool, dark place away from moisture and dust. “We recommend folding your cashmere in drawers or your wardrobe versus hanging it in a closet,” she says. “For long-term storage, clean or steam your cashmere and fold it neatly in a storage container.” Fortin recommends the likes of a cotton storage bag to shield it from dust and to promote air circulation, and she always stores them with a bit of lavender or cedar as a natural pest-repellent.