Here’s the deal: I’ve had fancy cashmere and I’ve had cheap cashmere, and both seem to pill and wear at the same rate, so a while ago I decided it was only cheap cashmere for me. This boxy crew comes in a ton of good colors, and has the best slouchy shape.
This zipper hoodie is from Quince, a really, really well-priced brand about which I have received positive feedback (people also like their washable silk pieces). BTW, here are the cashmere sweatpants pictured, which ring in at a not-quite-believable $99.
This ribbed striped sweater is from Nadaam, another good resource for cashmere, though it does skew a bit pricier on some pieces.
Universal Standard makes this great V-neck, which has such a nice, deep, flattering V.
And finally, from J Crew: a very on-trend polo neck sweater. People also rave about this classic crewneck, which comes in a whopping 23 colors.
I appreciate the recs, but important to be aware that some cheap cashmere comes from Xinjiang, China and is made in forced labor camps. It would be great to encourage responsible and ethical sourcing of cashmere (and actually everything).
I just bought a Nordstrom house brand black cashmere crewneck for well under $100 during their early fall sale. I don’t have high hopes for it, but I needed to replace my old Land’s End black crewneck, which was paper thin at the elbows and too ratty for evening after, gulp, 20+ years. I also fondly recall two Kenzo cashmere v necks I bought at The Limited in 1987 that stayed thick and soft and pill free for over 30 years, and I wore them a lot. They were demoted to house sweaters after getting a few moth holes here and there. Le sigh. I speak in ancient tongues of ancient ways lol. Will now go moon over J.Crew crewnecks in fun colors!
Whaaa?? The Limited sold Kenzo sweaters in the 80s?? Was it a special collaboration? I remember loving a stretchy black knit midi skirt with a back vent that I somehow talked my mom into getting at The Limited (I think? Or was it Jay Jacobs??) at the local mall… one of my favorite teen memories. Probably wore it with white Keds or something. Little white ankle socks (no lace ruffle though).
Looked it up and found this mention of The Limited licensing agreement (kind of can’t believe the Jungle Jap brand name): https://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/kenzo-jungle-jap/. I’m a big Kenzo fan and didn’t know this…
I worked at The Limited in the late 80s and remember the Kenzo very well. Good times.
Hahaha. Your “house sweaters” comment made me chuckle. I just audited a pile of mine and still can’t seem to part with a couple of them despite the numerous stains, holes, etc.
That Quince hoodie gets rave reviews on their website. Who doesn’t need a cashmere hoodie?
I’ve been obsessed with Quince’s leather phone bag for a couple months, but finally pulled the trigger on Madewell’s Leather Carabiner Mini Crossbody Bag (because I prefer a horizontal bag vs a vertical) to get a small pull-out handbag to fit into my work bag. And wondering about the quality of Quince’s sweaters and other wares along with that.
That’s a great bag! Bought as a gift for someone, but it turned out to be a smidge too small for her. Very nice though. Then the next one, which we kept, is a bit too large. So we are still looking. At some point I predict we will end up with one of those ones with a bunch of pockets. I was impressed with Madewell though. I don’t really shop there much usually.
The Madewell carabiner bag is also very light, something I always prioritize in leather bags. Enough to carry other stuff on top of the bag weight itself!
I have a few Quince cashmere pieces, including a waffle hoodie (LOVE!) and the cashmere sweat pants (also love). Be aware that the pants tend to stretch out with wear, so you might want to consider sizing down if you’re in between sizes.
all my cashmere will continue to live under my bed in a vacuum sealed bag that i have duct-taped shut and prayed over until i get these mf’ing moths under control. i thought the cold snap would kill them but i think they’ve only found it refreshing. i cannot buy more expensive sweaters for them to snack on.
I suspect the problem is that a lot of the “fancy cashmere” for sale now is actually cheap cashmere. In 1984 I stole a cashmere sweater from my mom that she’d bought in Scotland a decade earlier. I am still wearing the hell out of it and it is still gorgeous.
Yeah, fancy cashmere isn’t always, well, good cashmere. I know what you mean about the good stuff. I think it’s still out there but it’s not fashion-y.
I appreciate this comment because I still feel rotten about spending a lot (for me) on a fancy Scottish cashmere sweater that pills like mad. My best cashmere sweater is one my dad found 25 years ago at Goodwill. The tag had fallen out. I’ve worn through both elbows and am wearing out the armpits, but there’s never been a single pill.
This is my experience as well. I have a cashmere cardigan from the 60s that looks brand new.
I can pile on to the Quince love!!! I bought 2 of the cashmere long cardigans and they were far beyond what I was expecting. True to size and keepers for sure.
The boyfriend cardigan…not so much. The yarn was good but the construction was all over the place. I know they source from many different vendors who ship direct to the customer so was not that surprised with the inconsistent quality. Great refund service. Sorry this turned into a Quince ad, but I am so disappointed with Everlane recently that it’s really refreshing to find another up and coming site to prey on. Thanks for introducing me to it Kim.
I want that Naadam cashmere turban thing too but I can’t seem to find it. Would you happen to have a link?
Is this it? https://rstyle.me/+owwgLaKzqv1KLjifH2zD-w
I’ve been searching high and low for cashmere zip up hoodies in COLORS. All I can find are black, grey & oatmeal. Any color would be great – I’d love to layer on under an oversized blazer. Does anyone have any leads?
Hudson has a slew of colors, here’s one example – https://www.outerknown.com/products/hudson-cashmere-hoodie-green-grass
I am holding out for Pura’s cashmere fisherman hoodie in their perfect olive color that suits my coloring, but damn, not inexpensive.
Perfect, thank you!!!
Lands End currently has burgundy and teal. (And I think 50% everything at the moment.)
P.S. I know the Quince one comes in burgundy & navy but I want something brighter.
I buy my hoodies from this brand which I discovered many years ago at Whole Foods (not sure if they still carry it). Not cashmere but they are super soft and durable. I see some colours other than the ones you mentioned: https://www.threads4thought.com/collections/womens-sweatshirts
Those are cute!
And not cashmere….
Nadaam also makes a dupe for the sexy Nili Lotan cashmere boyfriend sweater and they frequently have sales.
Naadam and Gobi are also on the books as sourcing responsibly and using fair labor, so you can feel great about supporting them. Naadam has this super cute cashmere turban thing that looks cuter than the standard beanie and I am trying not-so-hard to talk myself out of it. Regular beanies look dumb on me, maybe I could rock a turban-?