Meet Our Stylish and Warm Layering Secret Weapon This Season — the Cashmere Sweater
The cashmere sweater has extraordinary versatility in any modern man’s wardrobe, and cashmere’s luxurious connotation is just an added bonus. There are several levels and grades of cashmere, but even the most basic thereof is wonderfully soft — just a 5-10% addition of the fiber to any garment can lend a warm and cloud-like feel that is unrivaled by most fabrics. That being said, cashmere sweaters are some of the best sweaters known to man.
Cheap cashmere, however, is something to stay away from as it tends to pill and lose its shape quickly. But don’t worry, this is why we kept those options out of our list. Good cashmere only, people!
Cashmere can also reach the uppermost echelons of comfort and quality, and we do highlight some of those below. To round out your rotation, we suggest a few more reasonably priced sweaters, and perhaps a splurge here and there for a particularly special evening.
Inherently warmer than its more basic cousins in the wool family, a thin cashmere sweater will keep you just as warm as a bulkier lambswool or merino sweater. All of our picks also come with a slim cut that makes them a wonderful option for layering. The aforementioned softness makes these sweaters incredible easy to wear, as well. So whether you’re based in California or the middle of the country, you can’t go wrong with adding a cashmere sweater to your winter wardrobe rotation.
Here are our top picks for the best men’s cashmere sweaters for adding to your wardrobe for comfort, warmth and versatility.
1. Everlane Grade-A Cashmere Crew
BEST OVERALL
If you are buying your first cashmere sweater, or want to buy one with a ton of versatility, this crisp heather grey option from internet darling Everlane is a sure-fire option. The light grey goes with just about anything — your beat-up Red Wings, jeans and pea coat? You betcha. How about as a layer over a dress shirt and tie with a navy suit? Perfect. Wear it by itself, wear it under a shawl collar sweater, wear it with an overcoat. Heck, you can even wear it with nice sweatpants. Your imagination is the limit with this slim-cut, 100% cashmere sweater from Everlane.
Courtesy of Everlane
2. Naadam The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater
BEST WARDROBE STAPLE
If you’re looking to simply cross “cashmere” off of your list of wardrobe must-haves, this $75 sweater from Naadam is a great way to go. It’s a sweater that’s received over 300 5-star reviews for its comfort, fit and 100% sustainable cashmere blend. The best part? You can truly wear it with anything — under a suit, over a button-down or on its own with a simple pair of jeans. It’s rated as “heavenly soft” on their website and comes in a ton of colors, including this classy blue. Take the cashmere plunge without actually, you know, taking the plunge with this safe bet.
Courtesy of Naadam
3. NAKEDCASHMERE Scott Sweater
BEST FOR DATE NIGHT
A casual, not-too-fitted sweater with a little visual interest makes for a great date night option. The full-cut, V-neck and charcoal gray make it both casual and formal at the same time. Wear this with a pair of black jeans, lace-up boots and a camel overcoat on your way to drinks, and enjoy your casual chic look! For real, who doesn’t look great clad in a V on date night?
Courtesy of Naked Cashmere
4. Nordstrom Cotton & Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
BEST BUDGET OPTION
Let’s just keep it frank. Not only is affordable cashmere hard to find, but when you do find it, it pills like crazy. And who buys cashmere just so it can fall apart after a few washes? No one. Thankfully, Nordstrom figured this issue out with their cotton and cashmere crewneck. Sure, it’s not as cashmere-y as these other cashmeres, but it’s a handsome option everyone will deem handsome. It also comes in a number of colors worth testing out. Trust us, you’re not going to find a cheaper, more worth it option to wear.
Courtesy of Nordstrom
5. Uniqlo Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater
BEST WARDROBE STAPLE
If you have a job that requires suits or standard business casual wear, these sweaters by Uniqlo have incredible wearability at a price point that allows you to pick up several colors. They’re warm, comfortable and formal and should be a staple in everyone’s wardrobe. As you’ll likely be wearing them over a dress shirt and under a suit jacket, the crew neck option is best to frame the collar of the shirt and your face, while staying thin enough to fit well underneath the suit coat or sport jacket you may be wearing. This weather is final sale, so if you want it, be sure to snag one to yourself before you run out of time!
FINAL SALE!
Courtesy of Uniqlo
6. Theory Cashmere Pullover Sweater
BEST DESIGNER
Theory’s cashmere pullover is an excellent choice for those who love name brands but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to snag some designer. It’s got a classic pullover design that you’re used to in your college crewneck with rib trimmings to hold true to the look. There are a few different colors available depending on your liking. For Theory, this price isn’t so bad, either.
Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue
7. J. Crew Cashmere Hoodie
BEST CROSSOVER OPTION
The hoodie is just as important an option in your closet as the cashmere sweater. Both have very necessary places in the rotation. Occasionally, that rotation will provide you an occasion where either would work, so why not have the perfect choice ready to go in your closet? Need a layer to throw on at the beach? Grab this option. Movie night with the lady? This cashmere hoodie has you covered. Regardless of the situation, be it classy or casual, this hoodie will keep you stylish and warm.
Courtesy of J.Crew
8. Everlane Cashmere V-Neck
BEST TO WEAR BY ITSELF
Maybe you’d prefer a nice, thick, warm option to just throw on all by itself. Leave the button down, the jacket, whatever else you thought you may have needed behind, and just get a nice thick sweater. Everlane’s cashmere options are numerous and excellent, so pick up this solid v-neck choice of theirs and brave the blustery fall days we have ahead!
Courtesy of Everlane
9. Falconeri Ultra-Soft Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
BEST COZY TURTLENECK
For a turtleneck option, Falconeri makes a super soft turtleneck sweater for staying warm in the winter. The elegance is paired with a soft knit material that’s fitted and cozy at the same time. It comes in a huge range of neutral colors and a wide range of inclusive sizes so anyone can don this suave and sophisticated look under their winter jackets during the colder months.
HALF OFF
Courtesy of Falconeri
10. NAKEDCASHMERE Asher Shirt
BEST BUTTON-DOWN
Cashmere sweaters are clearly changing for the better. Now, you can snag your favorite material in sweater vests, hoodies, turtlenecks and even button-downs. This cashmere sweater meets utility jacket is going to be a staple to your wardrobe from here on out. It’s got a more casual look to it that looks stellar styled on top of a good-looking tee or buttoned-up solo. Tie your look together with handsome jeans and a pair of lace-up boots.
Courtesy of NAKEDCASHMERE
11. Lands’ End Fine Gauge Cashmere V-neck Sweater
BEST V-NECK
This v-neck sweater is from a low-key style icon especially when it comes to all things warm, Lands End. They make comfort a priority with all of their clothes, but they also make pieces that look good in the process. Their clothes are built to last, and this sweater is as affordable as it is modern and trimmed. It’s knit using 100% cashmere fine-gauge yarn. It has a lighter feel and a year-round weight that can work in all seasons and with a variety of outfits. It has a 1×1 rib knit neck, hem and cuff as well as structured, fashioned shoulders that enhance the look of this sweater and the feeling of confidence you’ll have wearing it. Plus, who doesn’t want to rock a V once in a while?
Courtesy of Lands' End
12. J.Crew Cashmere Cardigan Sweater
BEST CARDIGAN
More of a cardigan guy? We get it — they’re a classic look that’s made even better by being made of soft cashmere. This one is made by people who know sweaters — J.Crew. It’s the result of 30 years of expertise when it comes to the softest fabrics and how to transform them into beautiful clothes. This cardigan is soft, warm and lightweight enough for you to not sweat bullets in it when heading inside during the winter. You can also rock it during the fall with a t-shirt underneath, or on a chilly summer night as well. It has welt pockets for style and is dry-clean only.
Courtesy of J.Crew
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