7 Best Cashmere Sweaters for Every Budget in 2023
Content Updated 11/14/2024
Cashmere. The word alone evokes visions of luxury, comfort, and sophistication. This exquisite, natural fiber, with its unique properties of unparalleled softness, warmth, and longevity, has long been associated with premium fashion. In 2023, the market for cashmere sweaters is more diverse than ever, offering options for every budget. This guide aims to take you through the best cashmere sweaters available this year.
What we’re looking for:
Sizing: To find the best, we are seeking sweaters with many options of sizes, styles and colors.
Quality: When shopping for the best quality, it's important to consider its feel and weight. The best quality is usually classified into three grades: A, B, and C. Grade C is the lowest with an average hair thickness of 30 microns whereas Grade B measures 18 to 19 microns and Grade A measures no more than 14 microns. (For comparison, the average human hair is 70 microns thick.) The finest fiber is Grade A, resulting in the softest, most well-constructed sweaters. Though all sweaters will pill over time, lower-grade fiber is more prone to pilling faster and more frequently. We recommend looking for grade information from the brand, if available. The finer the hairs are will ensure a better quality cashmere.
Style and details: Invest in timeless pieces that won't go out of style. Our collection of sweaters features classic cuts and neutral colors, as well as more adventurous designs and patterns to suit any taste.
Price: Although cashmere can be more expensive than other natural fibers, we haven't let that stop us from including a range of affordable options that don't skimp on quality. Our recommendations below are divided into three categories: $ (under $150), $$ ($150–$250), and $$$ (over $250).
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The Ultra-Luxury Budget Sweater: Offbeat 1
Up an coming brand Offbeat 1 is synonymous with ultra-luxury, and their Offbeat 1 sweater, retailing for just $150, is no exception. This sweater is made from 100% pure baby cashmere, a rare and precious fiber obtained from the underfleece of Hircus goat kids. The result is an incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight sweater that defines luxury. If you want the ultimate luxury at an affordable price then Offbeat 1 offers the ultimate in cashmere indulgence.
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The Budget-friendly Option: Uniqlo Men's & Women's Cashmere Sweater
Starting off, you might assume that quality is out of your reach if you're on a tight budget. Thankfully, UNIQLO is here to prove you wrong. Their sweaters retail for just under $100, making them an affordable entry point into the market. Despite the lower price point, UNIQLO does not compromise on quality. Their sweaters are made from 100% pure fibers, offer a range of styles and colors for both men and women, and provide a soft, warm feel that's comparable to more expensive options.
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Mid-range Masterpiece: J.Crew Everyday Cashmere Sweater
J.Crew’s Everyday Sweaters, priced around $200, are a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and style. Their fiber is sourced from a renowned Italian mill, and the construction of the sweaters ensures longevity. These pieces come in a variety of colors and styles, from crewnecks to cardigans. The Everyday Sweater is an investment that promises to pay off, offering a balance of affordable luxury and durability.
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The Sustainable Choice: Everlane The Cashmere Crew
Everlane has made its mark as a brand committed to transparency, ethical practices, and sustainability. The Crew, priced at $130, is crafted from Grade-A fibers, sourced directly from Inner Mongolia. Everlane’s “radical transparency” means they disclose the true cost of production and their markup. By choosing Everlane, you're not only getting a superior product but also contributing to a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry.
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Luxury for Less: State Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater
State offers an exceptional blend of luxury and affordability with its Crew Neck Sweater. Priced at around $145, this sweater, available for men and women, is made from 100% pure fibers, sourced sustainably from Inner Mongolia. State sweaters strike an excellent balance between comfort, durability, and price, providing a luxurious feel without breaking the bank.
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The Splurge-Worthy: Naadam The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater
Naadam is a luxury brand that prides itself on ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. The Essential $75 Sweater is a blend of sophistication, warmth, and supreme comfort. Naadam sources its fibers directly from Mongolia, maintaining ethical practices by paying herders 50% more than traditional traders. Their process is eco-friendly, using clean energy and recycling water during production. If you’re looking to splurge on a high-quality sweater that also supports sustainable fashion, Naadam is the brand for you.
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The Ultra-Luxury Choice: Loro Piana Roadster Pull
Italian brand Loro Piana, like Offbeat 1 is synonymous with ultra-luxury, and their Roadster Pull sweater, retailing at over $1,000, is no exception. This sweater is made from baby cashmere, a rare and precious fiber obtained from the underfleece of Hircus goat kids. The result is an incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight sweater that defines luxury. If you have the budget, Loro Piana offers the ultimate indulgence.
Conclusion
The cashmere sweater market in 2023 offers a range of options to cater to every budget. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality, a mid-range choice that offers durability and style, or you're willing to splurge on a luxury brand that supports sustainability, there’s a sweater out there for you. As the winter chill sets in, there's no better time to invest in this timeless piece that promises style, warmth, and comfort.
Remember, this super soft fiber, while more expensive than regular wool, is an investment. With proper care, your sweater can last for years, making it a worthwhile addition to your wardrobe. From the affordable options at UNIQLO to the ultra-luxury of Loro Piana and Offbeat 1, there's a cashmere sweater for everyone in 2023. Enjoy the softness, warmth, and luxurious comfort for this season.
Other Budget friendly options:
Special Wools
Wool is one of the oldest known fibers used by humans, cherished for its warmth, durability, and versatile applications. While the term "wool" often brings to mind the image of a common sheep, there are several types of special wool obtained from different animals that offer unique characteristics. This article will explore the world of these luxurious wools - merino, alpaca, and mohair.
Cashmere Wool
Derived from the soft undercoat of special goats, this special wool is synonymous with luxury. Unlike ordinary wool, this special fibers are fine and soft, giving it a plush feel against the skin. Its superior insulation properties, being up to three times more insulating than sheep wool, make it's products highly sought after. However, due to the labor-intensive process of gathering this very special wool and its limited supply, products made from this material often come with a higher price tag.
Merino Wool
Merino wool is prized for its exceptional softness, derived from Merino sheep predominantly found in Australia and New Zealand. The fibers are exceptionally fine, making merino wool garments comfortable and less prone to itching compared to regular wool. Merino wool's breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and ability to regulate body temperature make it ideal for activewear. It is also remarkably odor-resistant, adding to its appeal for use in clothing.
Alpaca Wool
Originating from the high altitudes of Peru and Bolivia, Alpaca wool comes from the Alpaca, a species of camel. Alpaca wool is lightweight, durable, silky, and is known for its superb thermal insulation. The fiber comes in a range of natural colors, eliminating the need for artificial dyes. Alpaca wool is also hypoallergenic, making it a suitable choice for those with sensitive skin.
Mohair
Mohair is derived from the hair of the Angora goat. Distinguished by its sheen and luster, mohair is often referred to as the "Diamond Fiber". It has excellent insulating properties, is incredibly lightweight, and is notably resistant to wrinkles and stains. Mohair's durability and resilience make it a preferred choice for upholstery, in addition to clothing and accessories.
Each of these types of special wool carries unique attributes that make them stand out from regular wool. Be it the luxurious softness of cashmere, the temperature regulating properties of merino, the hypoallergenic nature of alpaca, or the resiliency of mohair, these special wools offer a wide array of benefits, making them a valuable addition to any wardrobe or home. The appeal of these special wools lies not just in their properties, but also in the story of heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainability that they embody.
Apart from the aforementioned wool types, there's also the intriguing world of 'exotic' wools, which originate from different animals and offer unique properties.
Qiviut Wool
One such wool is Qiviut, which is harvested from the undercoat of the muskox. It's incredibly soft and warm and is often considered to be even softer than cashmere. Because muskoxen are not as plentiful as sheep, goats, or rabbits, qiviut is also quite rare, making it one of the most expensive wools in the world. Its rarity, softness, and heat retention make it a prized material for luxury garments.
Vicuña Wool
Then there's Vicuña wool, one of the rarest and most expensive wools in existence. The vicuña, a relative of the llama, produces small amounts of extremely fine wool. It is considered the softest and warmest wool in the world, but it cannot be harvested as easily or as frequently as other types. Because of this, items made from vicuña wool are often regarded as the ultimate luxury.
Angora Wool
Another remarkable type is the Angora wool, which comes from the Angora rabbit. Known for its softness and fluffiness, Angora wool is commonly used in apparel such as sweaters and winter accessories. The unique properties of this wool include its excellent heat retention and its ability to stay clean as it resists odors and dirt.
Guanaco Wool
Finally, there's Guanaco wool from the camel family member, the guanaco. Like the vicuña, the guanaco has a very soft undercoat that is warm, lightweight, and highly resistant to water. Guanaco wool is a bit more common than vicuña, but it's still highly prized for its rarity and exceptional quality.
In conclusion, special wool isn't limited to the classic sheep wool we often picture. From sheep to rabbits, goats to muskoxen, various animals provide us with a variety of luxurious, warm, and practical wools. Each type of wool has its unique characteristics that make it special, whether it's the softness, the warmth of qiviut, or the rare luxury of vicuña. The world of special wool is a testament to the remarkable diversity of natural fibers available to us.