The 10 best men's cashmere sweaters in 2025, from affordable crewnecks to luxury-grade polos

Best overall cashmere sweater: Naadam Original Cashmere Crewneck

Naadam's Original Cashmere Sweater is the most comfortable casual crewneck we tested. It has a nice drape, doesn't pill easily, and costs a reasonable $98. It's a touch thicker than the Quince cashmere crewneck, so we felt it worth the extra $38. It also comes in way more colors, and it's so soft you'll be able to sleep in it.

In other words, you can wear this sweater anywhere. Smarten it up with a button-down underneath for the office, or wear it as a insulating mid-layer while you're outdoors hiking, skiing, or spectating from the bleachers.

Naadam uses cashmere fibers that are about 30% longer than regular Grade-A cashmere, and are free from any chemical dyes. The results are premium men's cashmere sweaters that last longer and won't pill at the surface.

The brand's other cashmere sweaters cost more depending on the blend of the cashmere. Past their standard 100% Cashmere collection is the lightweight Superfine collection, made of airy, single-ply knits, while their elevated Luxe collection is made from the softest spun cashmere fibers.

Read more about its most popular style in our full Naadam cashmere sweater review.

Best affordable cashmere sweater: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Sweater

Among our team's style editors, we agree Quince is one of the best DTC brands to come out of the last few years. Their cost efficient business model sources Grade-A cashmere directly from production facilities in Inner Mongolia, a strategy that combines quality and sustainability with affordability.

Their original men's sweater runs for $60, but is surprisingly luxurious considering this modest price tag. It comes in both a crewneck and V-neck cuts, and is made from 100% Grade-A Mongolian Cashmere.

The fabric is not quite as soft as Naadam's, but definitely still of adequate quality. Their classic black Cashmere Turtleneck (pictured above) is also a surefire classic.

Quince also has a premium collection of extra soft Luxe Baby Cashmere sweaters spun from finer, longer fibers that are even better for wearing on bare skin.

Read more in our full Quince review and Quince cashmere review.

Best lightweight cashmere sweater: Buck Mason California Cashmere Cable Crew

Buck Mason prides itself on crafting a portion of their clothing locally in the Buck Mason Knitting Mills, a brand-operated facility in Mohnton, Pennsylvania that continues American traditions of textile manufacturing.

When facilities overseas are more equipped to craft their designs, they import the best men's cashmere sweaters that make up their California Cashmere collection. Buck Mason's 16-gauge jersey knits are made from yarn-dyed long-staple cashmere, available in three California-casual styles. Their fabrics are both lightweight and pre-washed for a smooth, ready-to-wear feel.

The Cashmere Cable Crew, in particular, has a soft, lived-in feel that makes it a pleasure to return to regularly. Its cable design is an elevated aesthetic that doesn't come at the expense of discomfort.

Best sustainable cashmere sweater: Patagonia Recycled Cashmere Crewneck

Patagonia might not be a brand you'd think of when searching for cashmere, but if sustainability is one of your core values when shopping the best B-corp retail companies, you'll appreciate the Recycled Cashmere Crewnecks.

Cashmere is already a renewable material, but Patagonia further improves the sustainability of its Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweaters by using pre-consumer cashmere waste that's broken down and spun into new yarn.

Aside from a small Patagonia logo sewn at the hem, this cashmere sweater features minimal branding.

I really like this sweater because it's soft enough to wear directly on my skin. Some cashmere sweaters can be incredibly itchy, meaning they can only be worn when it's cold enough to wear another long sleeve layer underneath.

Best cashmere polo: Lilysilk Baby Cashmere Tailored Knit Sweater

Lilysilk is a mid-range luxury brand we love for its fast shipping, sleek designs, and minimal branding. This understated Baby Cashmere Tailored Knit Sweater will keep you warm on your cold-weather commute and has a structured collar that looks polished at the office.

Its baby cashmere fabric feels heavenly soft (meaning no itchy fibers poking you or irritating your skin). These fibers measure just 14.5 microns (Quince's measures about 16, for reference — and the lower the micron, the softer the fabric) so you get the smoothest handfeel for your money.

Best brushed cashmere sweater: J. Crew Brushed Cashmere Sweater

If you like the soft, fuzzy halo look, this Brushed Cashmere sweater will add some dimension to your workwear wardrobe. The Black Watch tartan pattern looks ruggedly handsome with some tweed trousers and dress boots.

J.Crew's Cashmere Shop has a bit of everything for everyone. From classic crewnecks to cable-knit sweaters, vests, cardigans, and hoodies, the assortment of cashmere is plentiful. They're also available in a wide range of colors, from muted earth tones to vibrant shades of pink and mint green.

All J.Crew cashmere sweaters are certified to The Good Cashmere Standard by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), which means they're responsibly made in partnerships with farmers that care about the welfare of the goats and the environment.

Although J.Crew's cashmere sweaters are fairly priced, the brand regularly has sales to bring the prices even lower.

Best cashmere sweater for big and tall sizes: L.L. Bean Wicked Soft Cotton Cashmere Crewneck

L.L. Bean is the Maine-based outdoor adventure company, best known for their beloved Bean Boots. We've lauded L.L. Bean in other guides for their inclusive size ranges across their apparel. This standard extends to the best men's cashmere sweaters for big and tall guys accustomed to what are usually limited when it comes to sweaters that fit properly.

Their "Wicked Soft" sweaters are mostly cotton, but woven with just a touch of cashmere for an added plush feel. Find it with classic East Coast designs in midweight, machine-washable blends.

See another one of our favorite knits from the brand in our L.L. Bean Cotton Fisherman Sweater review.

Best trendy cashmere sweater: Guest In Residence Striped Rugby

Since the relaxed-but-preppy look has been on trend in men's fashion, a rugby polo like this one from Guest In Residence is in order. It's made from a midweight cashmere and has an oversized fit that pairs well with relaxed denim.

When we tested Guest In Residence's cashmere, the fabric felt incredibly smooth and has proven to be pill-proof the more we've worn it. It comes at a premium price, and is probably one of the most expensive brands we've tried. But if you're interested in making a meaningful investment in your winter wardrobe, it's definitely worth the try.

Best customizable cashmere sweater: Ralph Lauren Custom Cashmere Crewneck

Ralph Lauren is one of my favorite places to shop for all kinds of sweaters, and its cashmere options are some of the best on the market. While the brand's Purple Label cashmere garments sell for anywhere from $795 to well over $2,000, the Custom Cashmere Crewneck is more affordably priced at $298.

Although that's still a bit more than most other options on our list, the high-quality 100% cashmere and the ability to customize the sweater make it well worth the added cost.

The Ralph Lauren Custom Cashmere Crewneck features a two-letter or three-letter monogram that's fully knit into the sweater and comes in 16 different color combinations — it's not your basic stitched-on monogram. The Art Deco-style monogram can be placed on the center of the chest, the left chest, the lower left torso, or on the left sleeve.

You'll also find cashmere sweaters with suede elbow patches, classic Polo Bear sweaters, turtlenecks, and more.

Read our full review of Ralph Lauren Polo Bear sweaters.

Best designer cashmere sweater: Todd Snyder Waffle Cashmere Crewneck

After over a decade in the industry, Todd Snyder is well on its way to becoming an iconic menswear brand that everyone knows and loves. Two things can be said about all of its pieces — they're made with the highest quality materials and designed with thoughtful attention to timeless style.

While the high standards in design and production translate to higher prices, Todd Snyder's Cashmere Shop is full of options that are completely worth the premium.

This uniquely knit Waffle Crewneck has a texture akin to your favorite thermal — only much softer — thanks to Todd Snyder's refined 100% cashmere. The ribbing at the hem and cuffs give it some more structure so you can achieve that perfect semi-relaxed fit.

FAQs on cashmere

How should I wash cashmere?

Cashmere is a very delicate material that's prone to shrinking, so you'll want to pay close attention to the washing and drying instructions. Generally, care instructions for cashmere include hand washing with cold water and air drying. The safest way to go about it is to dry clean it, and ensure it never goes in a dryer machine.

What's special about Grade-A cashmere?

Cashmere is graded into three categories of A, B, and C. Most luxury brands exclusively use Grade-A cashmere. These are absolute thinnest hairs, measured in microns, harvested by combing the undercoat of a cashmere goat. Grade A cashmere has a width as low as 14 microns, which is about 6 times thinner than a strand of human hair. The higher the micron count, the lower the grade of cashmere.

What makes some cashmere sweaters more expensive than others?

One cashmere sweater can cost up to several hundred dollars. This is the result of a few factors:

• Fiber quality: Longer, finer fibers = softer, more durable sweaters.
• Construction details: Ribbed hemlines and cuffs or interwoven designs, take more labor to achieve.
• Heritage name brands: Designer labels like Ralph Lauren or Todd Snyder incur a higher price tag.

What does "gauge" mean?

A cashmere's gauge describes the number of rows of yarn in a sweater's fabric per inch. The tighter the weave, the higher the number. When sweaters are described as made with "12 gauge cashmere," for example, this means it'll be lightweight and finely knit. If you're after a thicker knit, a 3 gauge cashmere will feel warmer and more dense.

How do I prevent pilling?

While some grades of cashmere are more susceptible to pilling than others, all cashmere (and wool) garments will inevitably pill to some degree. Rather than picking at pills with something harmful like tweezers or scissors, it is recommended to use a sweater stone or a cashmere comb.

How do I prevent moth holes?

Cedar is a natural alternative to chemical-filled mothballs. Cedar products are great for repelling moths, spiders, and absorbing odor and moisture (which promotes mold and mildew). You can use cedar hangers, cedar blocks, or cedar rings.

Moth larvae have a diet that's high in keratin, so female moths are attracted to materials like wool, cashmere, silk, and sometimes even leather and fur (basically anything that comes from an animal) when it comes time to lay their eggs. Clothing made from synthetic materials or cotton should remain safe (unless it's blended with a material that has keratin in it).

Moths are also attracted to food and stains, so if you spill something on your cashmere, you shouldn't put it back in your closet with plans to wash it before your next wear; you should clean it as soon as possible. Not only will it make getting the stain out easier, but you'll reduce the chances of moth holes.