If you’re searching for a women’s cashmere sweater, you’re not alone. It’s the quintessential winter wardrobe must-have.
But type “best cashmere sweaters for women” into Google and do you know what you get? A sea of ads, sponsored posts, and bad advice from people who don’t know what they’re talking about.
At Next Level Wardrobe, we’re a team of style experts with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. We know first-hand what makes a good sweater, and what’s just hype.
If you’re ready to find out what actually makes a good sweater and what products professional personal stylists actually wear and recommend to clients, you’ve come to the right place.
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What makes a good sweater?
A good cashmere sweater should perfectly blend luxury, comfort, and timeless style. That way, you have a wardrobe piece you can wear for years to come for countless dress codes and occasions.
But, not all women’s cashmere sweaters are created equal. Here are the top three things to look for.
- Composition. A sweater made out of natural, high-quality fibers is tough to beat. Cashmere, wool, and cotton are the holy trinity. Cashmere in particular is unbelievably soft, warm, and surprisingly resilient. The most “elite” variety of cashmere is long fiber. This type is less prone to pilling than short-fiber cashmere, which is better for long-term use.
- Construction. Like we mentioned earlier, if you’re investing in cashmere, you want it to stand the test of time. For that reason, you should look for a durable, thick, and tightly woven sweater. This construction will keep you warm, won’t break down easily, and is far less likely to snag.
- Comfort. At the end of the day, a sweater’s purpose is to keep you comfy and warm. It should feel light and breathable yet insulating against your skin. Try out different styles and brands to find what will keep you covered during chilly work commutes or evenings out.
5 Cassandra’s 5 Favorite Cashmere Sweaters to Wear
We asked NLW founder Cassandra Sethi for her 5 top cashmere sweaters. Keep scrolling to discover the five pieces she wears every year.
Vince’s Understated Mock Neck
Product by Vince, shop here.
To start off our collection of Cassandra’s must-have cashmere sweaters is this simple mock neck by Vince.
What’s great about this piece is that it goes with everything, for every occasion and every dress code. It’s thick enough to keep you warm during fall and winter, yet thin enough to tuck into high-rise bottoms.
Vince also happens to be one of our favorite brands to recommend to clients. Why? Because they specialize in well-made, timeless pieces that are easy to find at major retailers.
Turn this into a monochromatic outfit with a silky bias-cut midi skirt and heeled booties. Or fit in at a casual office with a pair of black jeans, a lariat necklace, and slip-on sneakers.
Nili Lotan’s Chic Turtle Neck
Cassandra’s second favorite is the effortlessly chic Nili Lotan Omaria Wool Turtleneck sweater. Thanks to the subtle grey-green color, this is a neutral basic that’s easy to mix and match without feeling boring.
Made of 100% cashmere wool, this piece is as practical as it is stylish. Enjoy the relaxed fit and lightweight knit on its own during fall and spring, or layer it up with a trench for winter.
Looking for some outfit inspiration? Try it with denim and combat boots for a stroll in the park. Want to go dressy? Play with textures by tucking it into a silky midi-skirt and adding on knee-high leather boots.
Product by Nili Lotan, shop here.
La Pointe’s Modern Belted Cardigan
If there’s one thing Cassandra loves, it’s a piece that nails “classic with a twist.” This belted cashmere cardigan sweater from La Pointe does just that.
Unlike your traditional button-down, this cardigan features a unique, thick belt detail at the waist. It’s also conveniently cropped so it’s easy to wear with flattering and stylish high-rise bottoms.
We see this being a great women’s power casual piece paired with pleated wide-legs and loafers.
Product by La Pointe, shop here.
Gabriela Hearst’s Form-Fitting Turtleneck
Want a sweater that’ll make you feel good on the inside and out? Look no further than Gabriela Hearst’s form-fitting May wool, cashmere, and silk blended turtleneck.
This piece puts together the powerhouses of natural fibers —cashmere, wool, and silk— to create an incredibly luxurious yet flattering sweater.
This sweater is easy to tuck in and goes with everything. From jeans to skirts to trousers, and joggers, there’s no wrong way to style this piece.
On top of that, the brand backs up its products with sustainable, ethical, and philanthropic practices.
She emphasizes the use of “deadstock” materials and uses 0% virgin materials. Her collections heavily feature artisan, handmade craftsmanship over those made in unethical and underpaying factories.
Product by Gabriela Hearst, shop here.
Brunello Cucinelli’s Sparkling Sweater
Classic style doesn’t mean boring. When Cassandra wants to add a sprinkle of pizazz to a look, this sequined-embellished crew neck from Brunello Cucinelli does the trick.
The subtle sparkle is eye-catching enough to feel festive and fun without going overboard.
Partner this with dark wash denim and a low heel for a dinner date. Or turn this into an office holiday party look with a leather skirt and diamond earrings.
Product by Brunello Cucinelli, shop here.
5 More Women’s Cashmere Sweaters Our Clients Love
As personal stylists, we see a ton of closets. We know what most people don’t have in their wardrobe but need. And, we know how to put those pieces into a cohesive, versatile outfit that you’ll love wearing on repeat.
Here are the top five cashmere sweaters our women clients can’t get enough of.
A Toasty Turtleneck
Product by ATM, shop here.
The first sweater we think every woman should have in her closet for cold weather is a turtleneck. The high neckline works for all dress codes and reads as sophisticated.
This season, wrap yourself up in the two-tone color block turtleneck from ATM (Anthony Thomas Melillo).
We love that this puts a small twist on a classic, neutral sweater with the two-tone effect. Another thing to love is the ribbed texture. Pro tip: if you want to add visual variety to your outfit but don’t love patterns, texture is the way to go.
Balance out the looser fit of this sweater with straight-leg pants or jeans and a block-heeled boot.
Come Again, Cardigan
Product by Lisa Yang, shop here.
One thing you should know about the NLW crew: we LOVE layering. Layers instantly make your outfits more interesting and versatile. Plus, they’re just so practical, especially in the winter or in the transitional seasons.
For this category, we recommend shopping this luxury stand-collar zip-up from Lisa Yang. This 100% cashmere sweater is 100% effortlessly cool thanks to the dropped shoulder silhouette.
Swap out your usual blazer for this cardigan and wear it over a simple white Tee. Add on trousers for a corporate attire dress code, or slip on black jeans for more casual settings.
Cozy Up in a Classic Crew
Product by Lisa Yang, shop here.
Ah, the classic crew neck.
If there’s one look that’ll never go out of style, it’s this one. Crewnecks look good on every body type and conquer every office dress code with flying colors.
With this cream-colored sweater from Lisa Yang, comfort meets chicness. The elongated cuffs add a subtle touch of modernity while the rest of the crewneck stays simple.
You could make this a monochrome moment with matching cream-color pants or a knit pencil skirt. Complete the ensemble with hoop or dangly earrings, and slip-on sneakers.
Earn Your Stripes with a Statement Sweater
Product by Guest in Residence, shop here.
We love our neutrals, but we also love a good statement piece done right. This magenta and tomato-striped sweater from Guest in Residence is the perfect example of this.
Guest in Residence is Gigi Hadid’s new line of luxury cashmere clothing.
The label creates high-quality pieces designed to be “cashmere heirlooms.” What this means is Hadid designed these pieces to be something you can pass down from generation to generation, regardless of style, gender, or age.
With this item, you get a warm pop of color and a simple pattern that doesn’t feel too busy. Just be sure to pair it back to neutrals, like classic blue jeans, or black or grey pants.
Stop Traffic with Neon Brights
Product by White + Warren, shop here.
Rounding out our list of Cashmere sweaters women should own is this pink piece by White + Warren.
A lot of times, people think that classic, timeless style can’t take risks or involve bold colors like neon. But we know it can. All it takes is picking the right piece and knowing how to build outfits with it.
This White + Warren sweater balances out the electric color with a totally simple design. No extra bells and whistles here.
Just like we recommended with the striped sweater, we recommend combining this statement sweater with core colors. Black, navy blue, grey, and white all go with this color and allow it to shine without looking clownish.
Wear this to the office tucked into paper bag-waist pants. Add a flat and skip any big or loud accessories to keep the focus on the sweater and how well you’re wearing it.
Finding the best cashmere sweaters for women is only the beginning of your fashion journey. If you’re ready to transform your closet and personal style for good, apply for NLW’s women’s styling services. Our experienced stylists will help you take control of your wardrobe and take the stress out of getting dressed each morning.
