How to Wear & Care for Cashmere Sweaters: 7 Worth the Splurge
When it comes to feeling snug and stylish, nothing beats slipping into a luxurious cashmere sweater. These cozy beauties have always been the epitome of chic, the ultimate wardrobe must-have, and one of my favorite things to wear!
Today, I’m sharing all you need to know about cashmere sweaters: what makes them special, how to style them, and how to care for them so they always look fab. Check out these 7 gorgeous cashmere sweaters I’ve rounded up that are definitely worth the splurge.
Is a Cashmere Sweater Worth It?
The cashmere sweaters I’m sharing today range from $169- $298, but yes, they are worth it. Cashmere sweaters are like a warm hug that also happens to make you look chic. They’re incredibly soft, comfy, and versatile. They’re a classy wardrobe anchor you’ll have for years. Es, they cost more than your average knitwear, but the mileage you get from a high-quality cashmere piece is worth every penny.
The pink one below is from Ann Taylor. Not only is it excellent quality, but the stunning color and elegant shape make it a gorgeous-looking piece, even when paired with something as simple as jeans.
What Makes Cashmere So Special?
Cashmere sweaters are the crème de la crème for a reason. The fibers come from the underbelly of cashmere goats that thrive in the toughest terrains, and here’s what sets it apart:
- Softness Supreme: Cashmere is the softest natural fiber on the planet. Wearing a cashmere sweater feels like a warm hug from the heavens.
- Warmth Without Bulk: Despite being feather-light, cashmere is a brilliant insulator, keeping you cozy without making you look like the Michelin Man.
- Breathable Brilliance: Cashmere is like your personal climate control system. It keeps you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot.
- Unparalleled Luxury: Cashmere’s shimmer and smooth texture exude pure sophistication, elevating your style game from casual to chic.
- Built to Last: Quality cashmere is tough and built to withstand the test of time. With some TLC, it can become a cherished heirloom piece.
Why Is Cashmere Expensive?
The high price tag of cashmere is primarily due to a limited supply. Most of the goats are in Mongolia, and there are also a few goats and their fur. Additionally, the fur must be meticulously harvested to extract the high-quality fibers, and it requires exceptional craftsmanship to hand-knit or weave cashmere. Scarcity and quality make cashmere a luxury fiber, justifying the price.
Just look at this stunning wrap-style cashmere sweater. It oozes quality and sophistication. This classic piece will always turn heads and knock them out of the park!
How Can You Tell Real Cashmere?
Don’t get duped by impostors! You can spot the real deal by the touch and feel. It should be incredibly soft and silky.
Also, be sure to check the label. Legit cashmere often says “100% Mongolian Cashmere.” Finally, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Real cashmere is an investment; if it’s dirt cheap, it’s probably a counterfeit.
Budget-Friendly Cashmere Sweaters
Between very expensive and fake, there are some very good, medium-priced, and budget-friendly cashmere sweaters. Often, the difference lies in the length of the hair and the thickness of the sweaters; Talbots offers some beautiful cashmere at reasonable prices. I recently noticed this one with the print, which I thought was unique. It’s lightweight but warm, soft, and so pretty!
Ivory cashmere sweater | jeans | shoes | earrings
Mott and Bow also have some great, affordable cashmere sweaters. I’ve been wearing this ivory one lately with jeans, and it’s quite lovely for a casual yet elevated look. They also offer it in black, regular, or slightly oversized sizes. I find Mott and Bow has some great quality basics. Quince is famous for its cashmere at very low prices because it cuts out the middleman.
Cashmere-Like Sweaters
You can also find cashmere-like sweaters, such as this rich burgundy one. It’s 30% cashmere and 70% wool, so it’s warmer. I love the modern look and think it’s a fabulous find!
sweater | leggings | coat | boots | bag | sunglasses | earrings
Care of Cashmere – Does Cashmere Pill?
Pilling, those pesky little fuzz balls on your sweater, can happen, but it depends on the quality of your cashmere and how you care for it. To fend off pilling:
- Choose premium cashmere made from long, fine fibers, which are less prone to pilling.
- Don’t wear the same cashmere sweater every day; give it some breathing room to recover.
- Hand washing is rough and causes pilling.
- Fold, don’t hang your cashmere sweaters; store them in a cool, dry place. Hanging leads to unwanted stretching.
- Use a Fabric Shaver to gently remove fuzz balls. But go easy with your sweater intact!
sweater | jeans | coat | mules | bag | earrings
Can You Wash a Cashmere Sweater?
Yes, you can, but you must be gentle.
- Hand Wash It: Fill a basin with cool water, add a mild detergent, and gently swirl to create suds.
- Soak for 10-15 minutes.
- Agitate with Care: Gently press the sweater up and down to avoid stretching or twisting the fabric. No roughhousing here!
- Rinse suds thoroughly with fresh, cool water.
- Gently squeeze, avoiding twisting, to remove excess water, and lay your cashmere flat to dry. No wringing or stretching allowed!
- Don’t put it in the dryer! (I’ve made that mistake, and you get a tiny, shrunken mess!)
How to Style a Cashmere Sweater?
As you’ve seen with these outfits I’ve put together, there are many gorgeous styles of cashmere sweaters to choose from this season, and how you style them is as unique as the sweater itself. Generally, any cashmere sweater elevates a pair of pants from the most faded jeans to the dressiest black pants.
Cashmere sweaters can be worn anywhere from work to weekends and dressy events. They’re especially lovely for romantic date nights because this alluring knit is so soft and fuzzy that it invites touch.
Cashmere sweaters aren’t limited to being worn with pants. They also look gorgeous with skirts. One of the loveliest ways to wear cashmere is paired with silk, such as a silk skirt. I recently purchased this flowy silk print skirt and paired it with a bright red cashmere sweater for the LTK conference. Not only was it super comfy, but it looked chic. That elegant mix of silk and kitten-like cashmere is always so rich and classy.
Where to Buy Cashmere Sweaters?
I’ve highlighted a few great places to buy cashmere, but there are many more. Cashmere is always available, but I think this year, even more so, with the trend towards “Quiet Luxury.” Some of the best cashmere can be found at
*Quince (very affordable)
Cashmere sweaters are luxurious and chic, and won’t let you down. They’re a fashion-forever friend when you want to look stylish at 40, 50, 60, and beyond! To shop these looks, click the links above.
Good morning!
Deborah,
You are so right about Vince Cashmere, my absolute favorite! The company has intermittent 25-30% off sales promotions in season! For email followers. I have built an amazing cashmere wardrobe utilizing this promotional discount over the last few years. I love your blog. Have a great weekend!
Karen
Hi Deborah, Thank you for your tips. I don’t think a moth got into my sweater; I had it in my cedar chest. I think it was bad quality. I know Nordstrom has higher lines and lower lines In their clothing. This is why a hole got in it, I believe. Why My J. crew sweater also got a hole in it, I don’t know. I will try the plastic bag, Even in the cedar chest. It couldn’t hurt. I will purchase the Ann Taylor one. Hopefully, it’s better quality. The Vince is even higher priced. Thanks for all your help
Another question about the cashmere sweaters. I have my eye on a cashmere turtleneck sweater from Ann Taylor that is 298.00 and says it is 100 cashmere and dry clean. It does not say it is a Magnolian cashmere. You had mentioned hand washing. Should we dry clean instead? I need clarification on this. What do you think? Quince, because of the price point, would it not be a good choice? What is your opinion on this also?
Hi Sherry, When it says dry clean only, it means at your risk, if you want to wash. Dry cleaning does break down the fibers, which is why many women prefer to hand wash in cold water using very mild detergent, don’t wring it, then lay flat to dry. If cashmere is highly pigmented and you wash it in even slightly warm water it can release some dye, so I’m thinking that perhaps that’s why they have recommended dry clean. The sweaters I have shown from Ann Taylor are highly pigmented and the brand can’t take responsibility if someone decides to wash and doesn’t follow standard guidelines. Speaking of proper washing, you can use something like Woolite, but a friend told me she uses this product, and it is good:https://rstyle.me/+PORro6qcZTrwbSD–e6U6g. As for Quince, I checked and it is Mongolian cashmere. Quince is known for their low prices since they cut out the middle man so if you don’t mind thinner cashmere you could give this a try. I have not personally worn their cashmere, but my friends have and they they say it is great value for the price. I do like Ann Taylor Cashmere very much, but my favorite brand is Vince:https://rstyle.me/+dB8x-t_jv3ZbvueKOrTBSA Nordstrom’s signature brand cashmere is good too, and I hear Jenni Kayne is excellent:https://rstyle.me/+ZQn6ydOd3nf7zHM1THWPzw. I hope that helps. Cheers, Deborah
I love cashmere sweaters but have purchased a couple at Nordstrom and Talbots—also 2 at J Crew. So far, the ones at Talbots have held up better than at Nordstrom or J Crew. I took the one from Nordstrom out of my cedar chest to wear yesterday, and there is a hole in it. I also had one at J Crew that had holes after only wearing it twice. I hand wash my cashmere sweaters and never dry them. I saw your tip about only buying 100% Mongolian cashmere. They are much more expensive, but it would be worth it if they held up. How can you tell if they are Mongolian or a cheaper version online or in-store? I want them to last. Thanks
Hi Sherry, Sorry to hear that the moths got at your cashmere sweater and put holes in it. Try washing and then vacuum sealing it in plastic before you put it away next time. There’s a lot of cashmere out there, from either China or Mongolia. The product description will tell you if it is from Mongolia, (brands are proud to tout that), and the label usually tells you too. For example, if you look at JCrew cashmere online or Quince, both say Mongolian cashmere in the product descriptions. I don’t see anything on the Ann Taylor site, although it looks quality and the price sure seems like it too. You may want to shoot them that question.