So we set out to discover exactly how to buy a good cashmere sweater, and to learn whether pricier brands are really worth the money. Get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. The cashmere industrys status is further complicated by growing concerns over human-rights violations and documentation of forced labor across the entire supply chain, specifically within the Xinjiang region of northwestern China, where many global fashion brands source their material and manufacturing. Though thin and delicate, the White + Warren sweater is well madefully fashioned marks on the shoulders demonstrate reinforcement where it counts.
And the only difference between Patagonia's cashmere and any other, it seems, is its smarter supply chain and lower environmental impact. This smooth, supple cashmere turtleneck feels and fits better than many we tested that cost several times the price. These sweaters are definitely more casual than business casual. Invest in this sweater only if youre willing to treat it gently. Unlike some cheap cashmere we tried that felt artificially smooth because it was likely treated with chemicals, Italics fabric feels supple and high-end. The Italic Relaxed Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater feels like a high-end cashmere sweater but costs less than $100. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). The White + Warrens open, airy weave isnt as warm or hearty as the knit of many other sweaters we recommendits more delicate, so it could snag, and its more prone to stretchingbut thats what makes it so light to wear and versatile for all weather and all outfits. And the fit has just enough room in the body and arms to be comfortable, yet its formfitting enough to avoid a boxy silhouette. If youre planning to wear it over long-sleeve tops, though, you might consider sizing up, as the arms are pretty fitted. One sample had fully fashioned marks along both the armholes and neck, something we didnt see in any other sweater we tested, while another was cut and sewn, which we found odd. However, the demand is not going away. intended to soften with wear but last a lifetime. The Essential even has fully fashioned marks at the shoulders, a construction technique that improves durability but is more labor intensive than simply cutting and sewing the garment together. The Essential comes in over 10 colors and a wide range of sizes (XXS to XXL), so almost anyone can find one to suit their taste. After a few weeks of wear, this sweaters neck hole hasnt lost any shape, even with one testers rather large head repeatedly popping through. 
The waffle knit of Madewells Cashmere Sweater (now unavailable) was unimpressive. The mens version in medium had some extra room in the chest and around the arms but still didnt look or feel too boxy on our testers 5-foot-9 frame. Its also the most expensive cashmere sweater among our picks, a statement piece for the person with a fashionable bent who wants something beyond the basics. We also recommend investing in a long-handled boar-bristle cashmere brush to remove lint, fuzz, and dust between wears and washes. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Fully fashioned marks at the top of the shoulder show that Naadam made an effort to reinforce the seam. We were looking for sweaters that delivered a good balance of high-quality materials and construction and a flattering, stylish fit for a fair price. Learn more. And although its on the thicker side, its still pleasantly soft and smooth enough to remind you how wonderfully indulgent cashmere feels in comparison with traditional wool. For other recycled cashmere options, check out. This article was edited by Andrew Kalinchuk and Jennifer Hunter. 19 is an eye-catcher. The knit is delicate, and we noticed some small signs of pilling during testing, so we recommend taking extra care with washing and with jewelry that may catch. As its a fashion-oriented brand, if you fall somewhere between two sizes, we recommend sizing up. Weve reviewed this guide and stand by our picks. We rubbed the sweaters with our hands to check for excessive pilling, and we closely inspected the seam work for loose threads both inside and out. For those reasons, and because durability and feel come from both the raw materials and how its knit, cashmere is best inspected in person. Its long and drapeyperfect for layering over or under other clothing. The stitching across the shoulders and across the torso is robust, with exemplary ribbing around the wrists, resulting in a gentle seal that keeps cold from creeping in. Its made with a 7-gauge knit so its warmer and denser than some other sweaters we tried, with a little more heft and a tighter weave.
Its ribbed knit adds amazing texture and feels durable and extra warm. Letting cashmere rest between wears helps reduce the pilling by allowing the fibers time to bounce back to their original shape. Once a prohibitively priced luxury, cashmere now seems to be sold almost everywhere, often at suspiciously low prices. This coat keeps the cold out and warmth in so that they can survive the conditions. 
It's warm, never itchy, and feels like it will last a long time. Most cashmere sweaters (and many of our picks) are made to 7-gauge (7GG) and 12-gauge (12GG) specifications. Its classic crew-neck, hip-length style feels rugged next to some other sweaters we recommend, but it still looks appropriate at a nice restaurant. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although the Trapezes long cardigan style should adapt to various body types, the sizing is limited. The knit is notably durable, too, with no hint of unraveling at the collar, hem, or cuffs. How it feels: Thick and soft, with a ribbed knit thats luxurious, warm, and super durable. The cut is casualwith plenty of room for you to move comfortablybut not sloppy. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 
The women's crew is super-soft and feels like it will last for a long time. The most expensive and desirable cashmere hair is meticulously hand combed (video) or carefully sheared from the cashmere goats during the spring, when they naturally shed their winter coats. What about once-vaunted Scottish cashmere? I wish they offered a ribbed knit for women as well as men, but you could just buy the men's in a smaller size if that's what you're looking for. We tested one with a badass snake graphic, but you get an assortment of playful designs to choose from. I tried the women's Recycled Cashmere Crew ($199), which is a pointelle knit. Its also available in 17 colors, the most of any sweater we sampled. That typically means the maker has overwashed or treated the fibers with chemicals to soften them. Fit: Turtlenecks can sometimes feel restrictive, but on this sweater Italic hits a nice balance between fit and feel with a relaxed torso, fittedbut not tightarms, and long ribbed cuffs that hold their shape. We love the small knit detail near the collar. It became a favorite layer to add some warmth over summery tops, and it was perfect under warmer coats and jackets. Nadia Monosova, director of product development and technical design, Amicale Cashmere, email interview, August 13 and October 14, 2020, Timothy Leung, pattern maker, Rag & Bone, email interview, August 10, 2020, Lisa Pomerantz, luxury branding executive, LFP Collective, phone interview, August 23, 2020. If you want more coverage, La Ligne makes this sweater in a full length and a turtleneck, though we didnt test those versions.
The Patagonias cuffs and hem are particularly durable. She's written thousands of reviews and explainers, profiled emerging and established D2C companies, blogged through major retail events, and forecasted and analyzed industry trends. However, the 12-gauge knit and the quality of stitching give us confidence that the Essential should last several years with proper care. The process of creating cashmere is so inherently detrimental requiring lots of resources and incurring lots of environmental degradation that any claim of sustainability is pretty much moot. We also pinched and stretched the arms and the ribbing around the neck, wrists, and waist to inspect the elasticity of the fibers, looking for sweaters that bounced back into shape. Availability is limited, and prices regularly land north of $400 for even a 1-ply cashmere sweater, making a William Lockie piece a true splurge. Pilling happens when fibers break down due to friction from everyday activities, in time forming tiny balls across a sweaters surface. If you find that your preferred size and color is available and you want to take a gamble, you may get lucky, but we think our pick from Naadam is much easier to buy and an overall better sweater at a pretty similar price. Mara Leighton is the senior education and personal development reporter for Insider Reviews. The higher the gauge number, the more open-knit and lightweight the sweater.
The classic crew neck, soft feel, and wide variety of colors and sizes make it tempting to buy more than one. This simple, luxurious, and flattering open-front cardigan offers a delicate layer of warmth without the weight, but it wont stand up to a lot of abuse. Compromises always exist with cashmere made from shorter-length fibers, as theyre more susceptible to stretching and tearing (and at this price, these sweaters are assuredly not made with the same thin and long fibers used to make $2,000 sweaters). It isnt particularly showy, but it has a subtle, luxurious vibe that looks great with almost anything. Weve found that the collar is especially resilienteven after putting the sweater on dozens of times.
The cuffs, collar, and hem on the Naadam Essential are well made, especially for the price. *At the time of publishing, the price was $200. For stray pills, use a sweater comb, a small accessory designed to glide across taut sweater surfaces (video) and gently remove pills without damaging the knit. Affordable cashmere for men and women: Naadam Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater, A stylish splurge for women: La Ligne Mini Toujours Sweater, A fun and fashionable statement sweater for men or women: Leret Leret No. The marks indicate that each piece of the sweaterthe front, the back, and each sleevewas knit individually, and then they were knitted together at the seams (versus the cut and sew method, in which pattern pieces are cut from one large piece of fabric and then sewn together).
A cheap cashmere sweater made of short-length fibers pills more easily than a sweater made with high-quality longer-length fibers, but both eventually pill. The sweater was clearly made to last for years, if not decades, but in the end we didnt like its style enough to justify its very high price. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com. Its the sort of piece you might drape over yourself on a brisk morning or slip on just in case before heading out. Skilled cashmere processors are capable of retaining the longest hairs from the goats undercoat; the longer, thinner hairs can be more tightly woven into stronger yarn. It may make us happy to have, but it sure isn't preserving the grasslands of Mongolia. To check for pilling, firmly wipe your hand across an arm or the front of the sweater to see if any fibers are starting to ball up. If you hold up a 12-gauge cashmere sweater to a light, you can see through it. The cashmere on this sweater is gorgeoussoft and smooth with very little fuzz. For a person who wants the comfort of cashmere with extra durability, Patagonias sweater is perfect for traveling or hiking but also wouldnt look out of place at the office. The durable ribbed cashmere is resilient and springy. The pointelle is a nice touch, but the small eyelet holes do mean you probably won't want to wear this alone outside on a chilly day. About 15,000 to 20,000 tons of cashmere are produced every year, but after the scouring and dehairing process, the pure cashmere makes up just a fraction of that amount, 6,500 tons (PDF). 19, A luxurious womens turtleneck with a catch: Italic Relaxed Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater, Versatile cashmere thats rugged and practical: Patagonia Mens Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, A lightweight womens cardigan for layering: White + Warren Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan, Naadam Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater Men's, Naadam Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater Women's, The same soft cashmere with a slimmer fit, Naadams The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater, 12-gauge knit and the quality of stitching, Italic Relaxed Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater, Patagonia Mens Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, White + Warren Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan, White + Warrens Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan, glide across taut sweater surfaces (video), Saks Fifth Avenue Collection Cashmere Roundneck Sweater, Equipment Sanni Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater, director of product development and technical design, Amicale Cashmere, luxury branding executive, LFP Collective, Wirecutters 100 Most Popular Picks in March 2022, 50 Wirecutter Cleaning Picks Our Readers Love. Compare that figure with the massive 1.08 million metric tons of wool (PDF) thats produced in the same period, and factor in a growing global appetite for luxury goods, and you understand why cashmere remains an expensive commodity. Often on sale for around $50 (from about $100), they rank among the cheapest 100% cashmere sweaters we saw. The substantial 7-gauge cashmere construction (meaning it has a tighter knit) gives this sweater a bit of heft and a chunky texture you can see, though it can still be worn under a coat. The quality and cost of cashmere depend upon many factors, but they mainly boil down to a combination of the length and fineness of the goats fleece and the skill and precision with which its collected. Well-finished ribbing around the neck, cuff, and waist bodes well for longevity, too. The Leret Leret No. Hand wash, said Leret Leret representative Lisa Pomerantz, but only when absolutely needed. Heres advice from laundry specialists on when you can skip dry cleaning. The cashmere had a nice heft and a soft, somewhat fuzzy feel (which likely means it was made from lower-quality short-fiber hair). Fit: The Essential is a classic crew thats comfortable but never restrictive, and its still formfitting enough to look fashionable. Altogether, the Cashmere Crew exceeded expectations and is just one more Patagonia classic. If youre not especially sensitive, its a nice sweater at a great price. Ply refers to the number of cashmere threads twisted together to make yarn. The color range of the Mini we tested is limited to just six options, but along with the classic neutrals, a few of those options veer into a more vibrant spectrum. The woven snake design on the No. For people willing to spend extra for a big dose of personality, Leret Lerets unisex sweater feels soft, sumptuous, and warm. But both sweaters we tested made our wearers a little itchy, especially around the sensitive crook of the elbow. Fit: True to size, with enough room to accomodate broad shoulders and an athletic build. The cropped cut also helps with airflow, which comes in handy during warmer months, when the heavy knit may feel too warm. But the differences between a $50 sweater and a $500 one are still mostly (and purposely) shrouded in mystery. Good-quality cashmere begins with the raw material, which is why cashmere brands are often secretive about where they source their fibers and the fiber length or micron diameter of their cashmere. We would wear this warmer, medium-weight sweater during the tail end of autumn or early winter with just a T-shirt underneath, though you can layer as you see fit. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. The most affordable sweater we recommend is the perfect entry point into the world of cashmere. by Christina Williams and Wirecutter Staff. The cashmere feels wonderfully soft but a little fuzzy. You dont always need to follow the directions on clothing labels. For the past few months, however, it has been almost impossible to buy from Uniqlo, as weve seen problems with availability, canceled orders, and undependable shipping. The extra-long arms may annoy some wearers, but the ribbed knit is thick enough that they stay folded or scrunched to the wrist. Its a light-to-medium-weight knit with enough density to keep a chilly breeze from seeping in. Although most of our picks are available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and sizes, some fashion brands offer only limited sizing. If I could, I would live out every day of my life under 40 degrees from the inside a cashmere jumpsuit. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some online reviewers have mentioned that their new sweater exhibited an off-putting odor, with one person likening the smell to that of an army surplus store. We did not notice any such scent on ours, but it did smell reminiscent of Ivory soap, possibly attributable to the industrial washing and processing of recycled cashmere. Still, cashmere has become considerably more accessible and affordable in the past decade, a development that can be almost entirely attributed to Chinas efforts to produce more of it.
In fact, in our testing it was one of the sweaters we reached for most often. Patagonia's cashmere line is the best no-compromise option I've found. Every sweater we called in was made with 100% cashmere fibers, except for one sweater, which had 5% wool. We welcome your feedback. The pliable fabric is resilient and bounces back easily. The shoulders have the most prominent fully fashioned seams we saw on any sweater, a sign of good quality. The direct-order brand La Ligne calls this a take-with-you-everywhere sweater, and we agree. This chunky cashmere sweaters dropped shoulder and cropped cut create a unique style that stands out from the typical crew or V-neck. The Saks Fifth Avenue Collection Cashmere Roundneck Sweater looks stylish, with a slim and flattering cut, a cute split hem, and an interesting knit detail running down the back. The smooth weave keeps its shape beautifullyalways springing back when stretched. The delicate knit is more prone to stretching than that of some other sweaters we tested. We also looked to fashion sites such as Gentlemans Gazette, Put This On, Racked, Styleforum, and Who What Wear to discover recommendations across various price ranges and styles. Get a good look: If you have a cashmere sweater in front of you, naturally youll want to touch it to decide if you want to wear it. If you have ever groomed a cat or dog, youve likely noticed a similar combination. According to Derek Guy of Put This On, the best cashmere sweaters came by the way of Scotland prior to the 1990s, but the industry has since become a victim of globalization, and most remaining Scottish companies now operate as brands in name only. Gregory Han is a design, travel, and lifestyle writer, and the co-author of Creative Spaces: People, Homes, and Studios to Inspire. But neither ply nor gauge accurately tells the entire story about the quality of a cashmere sweater. The sizing isnt as inclusive as on some of our other picks. The cut is fitted enough to look polished but not overly restrictive. A 4-ply sweater is warmer and more durable, but that isnt always desirable unless you live in a particularly cold region. These 100 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in March 2022. Beanies go for $69, Scarves for $99, and sweaters range from $199 to $299 for the men's hoodie. You can also do some investigative hands-on testing at the store (or at home) by gently pulling on a section of a sweaters armif the knit remains too stretched out, avoid it. Spending $60 for Italic Bold gets you $120 in credit per year, and you get a higher referral bonus ($30, compared with $15 for nonmembers). We even used it like a wearable throw blanket, wrapping up in it while working at a drafty desk or snuggling in to watch some TV. The brand offers a selection of 22 fun, woven designs, each adorned with its own unique graphical embellishments; we tested No. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Senior Education and Personal Development Reporter, Insider Reviews. It has a simple, drapey fit that extends beyond the waist and falls beautifully down the body. Colors: 10 to 25, depending on the season. The resulting sweater requires slightly more time and effort to knit, but its more durable, with pucker-free seams. The fine weave is extra smooth and high quality. How it feels: Pleasantly soft, with a delicate, airy knit. Always wash a cashmere sweater before storing it away for the summer. It's not at all itchy. Available in seven sizes and over 10 colors, the Essential is a great choice for almost anyone. Another big giveaway: If your fingers feel slippery after touching the cashmere, it has likely been processed or treated. Our primary gripe: The cuffs lack an extra layer of reinforcementa detail we appreciate about Everlanes sweaterwhich may mean they wont retain their shape as well over time. Inspect the seams: Make sure the stitching looks solid and has no loose threads. Those small details plus a slightly slouchy cut give this sweater much more casual-cool style than you get from your run-of-the-mill turtleneck. Were currently testing a few of Italics other goods, but we dont know yet if well make them picks. Dry Cleaning Your Wool Sweaters? Instead, look closely: If you see a lot of stray, fuzzy fibers sticking up from the surface of the weave, it may indicate lower-quality, shorter-length fibers, which are prone to pilling, stretching, and tearing, though pilling is an inevitable part of owning and wearing even the highest-quality cashmere. Nothing can soothe the sharp chills of cold weather quite like a soft, snuggly cashmere sweater. If youre shopping online, you might see a couple of cashmere-specific terms that, though they arent always reliable indicators of quality, may help you determine a sweaters durability, weight, and warmth: ply and gauge.
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