One of life's simplest pleasures is snuggling up in cashmere. Whether it's a chunky sweater, plush scarf, or even a pair of lined gloves, nothing makes us feel cozier than wrapping ourselves in this luxury material. However, it's no secret that cashmere can get expensive. At top shops, you might shell out several hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars for a cashmere piece. Fortunately, that's not necessary. To help you get quality cashmere at an affordable price, we asked stylists and deal experts for their favorite retain chains to source incredible knits. Bookmark these now for the next time you want to indulge.
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Clothing chains with the best quality cashmere.
1. J.Crew
J.Crew
If you haven't shopped J.Crew in a few years, you might want to give it a try again. "I am back to loving J.Crew since they appointed Olympia Gayot as the brand’s [ head of women’s and kids design]," says Tara West, a fashion stylist who serves clients in Connecticut, Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles. "Cayot has breathed new life into the brand, making it the new go-to for cashmere."
J.Crew offers stylish cashmere pieces in many forms, including sweaters, scarves, hats, sets, dresses, socks, and gloves, with options for men, women, and children. Plus, West notes that most of the sweaters are 100 percent cashmere, which makes them super soft and cozy.
The pricing is also right. "They often have sales where you can stack savings—I saw a cropped cashmere sweater this morning for around $120 but also the option for an extra 75 percent off via a coupon code—and you can pick up solid pieces for less just by shopping in the right season," says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews.com. In other words, if you stay patient, J.Crew could be your key to quality, affordable cashmere.
2. Naadam
Naadam
Naadam exclusively sells cashmere, and so their offerings run the gamut from sweaters to tank tops to joggers and more.
"The prices are about what you'll see elsewhere, with one of their top products being the Essential $75 sweater in a variety of colors," says Ramhold. "They're also a sustainable brand with 100 percent of their materials coming from renewable or recycled sources that are made to last and even use packaging that's made from sustainable resources like certified recycled paper inserts and recycled plastic with non-toxic chemicals designed to biodegrade faster."
If you care about the source of your cashmere, you'll adore Naadam's ethos. The brand works directly with herders and pays them fair wages while promoting ethical conditions for animals. "Basically, if you want to feel good about the items you're buying and get a fair price, Naadam is an excellent way to go," says Ramhold.
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3. Lands' End
Lands' End
Lands' End is a tried and true brand for quality basics. Ramhold explains that sweaters dominate the cashmere selection here, although there are also pieces like cashmere-lined gloves, hoodies, blankets, scarves, and hats.
"Prices are definitely on the higher side at Lands' End—I saw a cashmere throw blanket for nearly $500 this morning‚ but the brand often has sales, and most of its cashmere goods are about what you'd see elsewhere," Ramhold says. "The best time to buy cashmere at this store is going to be when winter is winding down, and you can stack savings via coupon codes on top of already discounted prices—that's when you'll see things like a sweater that's normally around $190 drop to $149 and then fall even further to as little as $60 with a coupon code." Again, patience is key!
4. COS
COS
If you find yourself drawn to chic, minimalist pieces, then COS is for you. "With a more modern design aesthetic with craftsmanship at its core, COS strives to create lasting pieces to be worn year after year," says West. "COS cashmere sweaters are also made with 100 percent cashmere versus a blend, and they are machine washable—a huge bonus!"
You can find things like sweaters, jackets, hoodies, and winter accessories. Prices for sweaters start around $200, although, like the other brands on this list, COS offers frequent sales.
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5. Universal Standard
Universal Standard
Universal Standard prizes itself on a few things—quality, sustainability, longevity, and size inclusivity. Each piece in its collection is offered in sizes 00 to 40.
"When it comes to their cashmere offerings, they have basically two types of sweaters—crewneck and V-neck," says Ramhold. "But where they really shine is the fact that these sweaters are $98 usually but may go on sale fairly often." The pricing, combined with the size range, makes this a standout seller.
