The Very Best Cashmere Sweaters of 2024 - The Mom Edit

When it comes to cashmere, I have some very strong opinions. Cashmere sweaters are, quite simply, some the most-worn pieces in my closet. I wear cashmere sweaters hiking, as mid-layers for skiing, as loungewear, as pajamas, with fancy skirts to fancy parties, with trousers to work and — most often — with jeans for all sorts of date night/dress-up/errand running/playdate and other daily activities.

My cashmere habit started as a kid, thanks to my Dad. We both had really sensitive skin, and found most other wool sweaters itchy. Dad would only wear cashmere sweaters from Lands’ End (cue my Mom’s eyeroll), which meant so would I (frankly, oversized was in so I’d just steal his). Cashmere, if you don’t know, gets softer with each wash (and yes – I machine wash my cashmere). I don’t recommend dry cleaning cashmere – for max softness, it’s machine wash, all the way.

Cashmere is hard to beat in terms of performance, too. Not only is it legit warm, but cashmere drapes beautifully, which is why it looks so good with fancy pieces at holiday parties. However, cashmere – like technical fabrics made for exercise – is moisture-wicking and breathable, so you can get sweaty in it without it taking on bad smells. Which explains why I love a good cashmere sweater for skiing mid-layers or cold-weather hiking.

So. To properly recommend cashmere sweaters that really go the distance, I’ve spent the last several months ordering various cashmere sweaters, trying them on, sending some back, washing others, and generally comparing one cashmere sweater to another. In past years, I’ve capped my search to sweaters under $400. This year, however, I had to increase the range to Under $500, since prices have gone up in the last few years.

While there are many sweaters on the market that retail for $550, $600, $700, I do not think they are worth the extra cost. But if you want to know the cashmere with thickest, coziest knit? I’ve got it (and it’s well under $500). If you want to know the cashmere with the prettiest color range? I have thoughts on that, too. The coolest neckline? Yes. The most modern cut? The best value for the money? Got ’em all.

Keep reading for photos and full reviews, but here’s a quick punch list of the best cashmere sweaters of 2024:

sweater (s) | jeans (26) | similar heels

My top nod this year? La Ligne. This particular sweater – their AAA Lean Lines Cashmere Sweater – is a current version of one I’ve owned for years. While it has the same extra-long sleeves, luxe cuffs, and perfectly placed stripes as its predecessors, La Ligne has changed the body shape just a tiny bit to be a *little* roomier and shorter.

And note how La Ligne’s stripes are always perfectly placed so the sweaters look effortless, drapey and cool – never bulky. Literally no one does stripes quite as well as La Ligne. Which, I suppose, makes sense: La Ligne, literally translated, means “The Line”.

sweater (s) | jeans (26) | similar heels

This sweater is not the thickest cashmere of the bunch, nor the softest (although it’s plenty soft), yet it wins the overall category for sheer usefulness. Simply put, this is the sweater I reach for the most. It looks amazing with jeans, faux-leather pants, trousers, and skirts. It’s casual enough for running errands, polished enough for work, yet cute enough for holiday parties.

That said, if you want a cashmere sweater that feels a little more dreamy – extra thick, soft, delicious – yet has a similar fit (and those perfectly executed stripes), La Ligne’s Mini Toujours sweater is exactly that.

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They just released this sweater in a new navy + white stripes colorway…it’s good.

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What makes these LouLou Studio cashmere sweaters so wildly special? Their overall design. Lou Lou Studio is a French brand, and, frankly, the second you put it on, you can tell. While these sweaters can be called basics, the designers clearly went above and beyond to maximize drape and create the ultimate cool-girl cashmere sweater.

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These sweaters are unique, lightweight, and look decidedly special in person. They’re the kind of sweater that is the epitome of ‘this old thing?’ yet garners tons of compliments.

Because they are so lightweight, I’ve found myself wearing them more often than my super thick, chunky cashmere sweaters (which I really only wear when its very cold).

sweater (s) – more colors here | jeans (26) | similar heels

sweater (s) | jeans (26) | similar heels

Ok nowwwww we get to the really thick, delicious cashmere. If you are looking for a cashmere sweater that is so thick and soft that you are confused…try COS’ Chunky Pure Cashmere line.

There’s no denying how ridiculously soft and warm these sweaters really are. I also appreciate that these sweaters run a little oversized – frankly, that’s what you want from a sweater this thick and warm: to be enveloped in a cashmere cloud.

ivory sweater (s) | black sweater (s) | jeans (26) | similar heels

Like most COS pieces, these sweaters sell out ridiculously fast. And I can see why – I’m seriously blown away.

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Naadam just expanded their “Lux Cashmere” line and it’s a very exciting mix of thick & cozy basics, as well as some pretty sweaters in interesting shapes (this one for example, or – ooo!! – this one). Naadam’s Super Luxe Cashmere Fisherman Sweater, however, is one of my favorites: thick, soft, super warm, with no skimping on material in the sleeves or the body.

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Unlike Jenni Kayne’s cashmere sweater (featured a few spots below), the shape of this fisherman sweater is “bloused” which feels a little fresh, too. Very boyfriend-y.

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I’ve been a longtime fan of Reformation cashmere, but it was primarily for their fit. Their cashmere tended to be thin, and definitely needed a washing before it really got soft. This year, however, Ref expanded their cashmere line to include a sweater that is *almost* as thick and soft as COS’s chunky cashmere line while being made from a whopping 95% recycled cashmere!! I found myself checking the label a few times – seriously, WOW.

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Like COS’s sweaters, the fit of Ref’s sweater is oversized, the neckline is a *little* higher than a crew – yet not quite a mockneck – and the sleeves are long, with thick, luxe cuff detail. It’s a really warm sweater.

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For the third (fourth?) year in a row, Jenni Kayne’s sweater makes our list of favorites. In addition to being made from the most delicious cashmere, the shape and tailoring of this sweater are a big part of why it’s so good. It is, quite simply, a very flattering and luxurious sweater. The sleeves are long, the armholes cut high enough to flatter (yet large enough to layer shirts underneath), the neckline is perfection, and it’s one of the few sweaters I’m willing to wear untucked. That said, I also can happily tuck this sweater into high-rise jeans, too.

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I also love the extended size range – up to 3XL. Well done, Ms. Kayne.

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While J.Crew has plenty of cashmere in classic cuts, I’m wild for their shrunken crewneck line (also in cable knit). This cashmere is thinner than most cashmere mentioned here, but the fresh silhouette is a winner. This is a sweater that never needs to be tucked in, yet doesn’t show my stomach, either (unless I’m having a very low-rise jeans moment – and then it’s the perfect little peek). It looks especially good with baggy, loose jeans or trousers, and gets softer after a wash.

And that’s just the fit!! The best part is that this sweater is available in twelve fun, gorgeous shades. J.Crew definitely knows how to do color.

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If you’re looking for a little pop of color to perk up a winter wardrobe, check out J.Crew. (I also did a full review of J.Crew’s cashmere, here.)

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Gang…this sweater is BANANAS good. It looks like a really expensive designer sweater, but it’s only $109. It’s sexy worn alone or over silky little camis, and looks great with dresses, too. One of my besties – who dresses a little more conservatively than I do (think: less boobs, legs) – also loved it. And I’m KICKING MYSELF for not getting a photo from the back, because the back is freaking fantastic: the belt actually goes UNDER the back panel, so the back of this cardi swings out a little, enhancing the overall I Am Expensive vibe. Click through to see it on (although Quince’s photos do NOT do it justice).

sweater (s) | jeans (26) | similar heels

sweater (s) | jeans (26) | similar heels

It’s really hard to find a better sweater in the Under $100 category. While Naadam’s ‘Original Sweater’ is probably the best quality cashmere under $100, the classic shape doesn’t really do it for me.

Quince’s fisherman sweater, however, is basically a really solid dupe of Jenni Kayne. It’s got the exact same cut and fit, if not the same quality or details (sleeves are shorter, the knit is a little looser, etc). That said, for under $100, it’s hard to beat.

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This sweater is so darn cool. It’s thick, soft, and impossibly cozy. I love that the body is a little shorter, without having any hint of cropped, making it perfect for a slouchy half-tuck. The zipper adds such an interesting detail that this is exactly the sort of sweater one can pair with trousers and just…be…done. The outfit feels finished and intentional, even though it’s actually dead easy. This sweater would also layer nicely over button-up shirts, too.

sweater (s) | jeans (26) | similar heels

sweater (s) | jeans (26) | similar heels

Vince’s “boiled cashmere” sweater has been on our best cashmere list for years because it’s so bananas soft. It’s a little denser, too (thanks to the ‘boiled’ part) so it feels VERY different than Vince’s other cashmere styles.

And because of this denser knit, the wide mock neckline is always perfectly behaved (never floppy), framing the face nicely. This sweater always vibes very elegant and chic, even when pairing it with distressed – or paint splattered, haha – jeans.

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Vince just expanded their range of colors, too (check out ‘jake lake’), which means that this pretty sweater + Zoom’s own face filter makes it suuuuper easy to do those work-from-home calls without much makeup. 😉

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Is this the thickest cashmere sweater I own? Nope. Is it the softest? Also no.

This sweater is, however, one of those sweaters I keep reaching for. Know how boyfriend jeans never *really* die? You keep them around and wear them when you’re sick of all other denim? This is like the sweater version of boyfriend jeans.

It has that sort of oversized, boyfriend-y shape. It’s long enough (and thin enough) to happily tuck into pants, yet I’ve also worn it untucked, with certain denim styles.

Oddly enough, this sweater happens to be one of Linzi’s favorites, too. We often gravitate to different shapes in clothing, so the fact that we’re both passionate about the exact same sweater is noteworthy.

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A word of warning: this is the ONE cashmere sweater that I’ve had trouble machine-washing. To keep this sweater thin and drapey, you really need to either hand-wash or dry-clean.

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Let’s start with J.Crew’s basic crewneck. For $168, it’s great. While Naadam’s “original sweater” is less expensive (yet just as good in terms of cashmere quality), I like the fit of J.Crew’s sweater better. The sizing is a little roomier right off the bat, so this sweater is, in general, TTS. (Naadam’s original sweater runs really small).

Additionally, J.Crew does color better that just about anyone else, and they always throw in a couple of interesting prints, like birdseye or plaid. If you’re looking for a slightly heavier cashmere sweater, J.Crew just came out with a Midweight Cashmere Sweater in a few classic neutrals.

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The other sweater I love for guys is Naadam’s Waffle Knit cashmere sweater. Super soft, sustainably made, and has the most delicious texture. Mike has owned this sweater for several years now, and it has held up really well. Unlike Nadaam’s ‘original sweater’ this one does fit TTS.

sweater (m)

sweater (Raines) | sweater (Ceci)

If you are looking for a cashmere sweater for a teen or tween, I LOVE Quince. Their prices are amazingly affordable ($60 or under), the range of colors is solid, and the cashmere is soft. My kids have been wearing Quince for years now – it’s basically the only sweater they’ll willingly wear.

sweater (Raines) | sweater (Ceci)

While these are, technically, adult sizes, Quince runs pretty small. So for tweens, an XS or S is probably going to work just fine. But for bigger teens, size up. Like…wayyy up. Not only do my boys prefer a slightly oversized fit, but Quince sweaters seem to shrink more in the wash.

For bigger, boyish teens, I especially love Quince’s classic cashmere sweater (Raines, 13-year-old in the photo above, is wearing a men’s size small), and if teen girls are looking for a slightly more feminine version…I actually prefer Quince’s shrunken cashmere sweatshirt. Ceci (age 11 in the photo) is wearing a size small, but there is an XS available, too.

sweater (m)

Bottom line: if you have elementary age kids, J.Crew’s cashmere sweater for kids was always a total win in our house. These sweaters are super soft out of the box, and were the only thing my boys would willingly wear when it was cold. The color range is great, and I loved how this sweater was fancy enough for dress-up, but durable enough (and machine washable) to be worn to school. I typically bought Raines (the oldest) one of these sweaters each year, and almost always had one to pass down to Pax.

I hope this helps you guys find a sweater you genuinely love — one that will actually last for years and years and years. Here’s to cozy, easy outfits!

xo,

S

Hello! I, too , love cashmere. Who doesn’t, right? That’s the problem. We’ve turned cashmere into a fast fashion, low quality, disposable fiber with tremendous global consequences to Mongolian grasslands. There is a great Op Ed piece (Dec 2023) from NYTimes. Guys, it’s eye opening.For the last couple of years, I only buy cashmere second hand, never new. Even “ sustainable” career is very dubious, with no real standard of meaning.

Quick question – did you happen to include the cashmere from Everlane in your evaluation? I have been looking at it for a long time but haven’t bought any – plus I am in Canada so I can’t really FEEL it unless I do some online shopping.

Great article, thanks! What is the blue sweater you’re wearing in the first photo?