Affordable Cashmere Sweater Reviews
I’ve become sort of obsessed with cashmere since I purchased my first cashmere sweater over ten years ago. (Hello, have you seen my blog name?! Haha.) I started with Everlane cashmere sweaters and now have quite the assortment.
Since then, I’ve ordered comparably affordable cashmere sweaters from Quince, known for their $50 cashmere sweater (that is now $60), and Naadam, known for their $98 cashmere sweater. Uniqlo also offers a cashmere sweater at $100 that you can often find discounted, and Universal Standard used to offer their own $98 cashmere sweater.
I love that most of these brands are dedicated to ethical sourcing of their cashmere despite the low prices. I thought it would be helpful to compare each brand’s flagship cashmere sweater (plus some extra styles) to see if there was really a difference between them!
Which brand has the best cashmere sweater? Is Quince’s $60 cashmere worth it? Is Naadam’s cashmere worth it? How does Quince and Naadam cashmere compare? Is more expensive cashmere always better? I answered those questions and more! If there’s anything else you’re curious about, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below. I hope this post helps you find the budget-friendly cashmere of your dreams!
For sizing reference, I take anywhere between a size XS and size M, though recently I found myself leaning more towards a looser fit. I am borderline petite at just under 5’4” and have broad shoulders and long arms. I tend to size up in tops for extra room in the shoulders and length in the sleeves.
This post was updated and recirculated on February 26, 2025.
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Affordable Cashmere Sweater Reviews
Quince $60 Cashmere Sweater Review
Sweater Details
My color and size: navy, size S
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Colors: 16, including black, rich burgundy, heather grey, oatmeal, ivory, brown, moss, true navy, charcoal, teak, varsity red, and more
Fit: relaxed
Material: 100% Grade A Mongolian cashmere; 15.8-16.2 micron thickness; 12 gauge, 34-36 mm fiber length (my $50 sweater: 15.1 micron thickness, 34-36 mm super long fiber length)
Weight: 200 grams
Origin: Hircus goats in Inner Mongolia, China
Shop: Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck ($50-60), Mongolian Cashmere V-Neck ($50-60), Mongolian Cashmere Tee ($50)
Free shipping and returns
Sweater Review
I am very pleasantly surprised by Quince’s budget-friendly $60 cashmere sweater. I was expecting it to be not as nice as Naadam OR Everlane (more on that below), which costs twice as much (more now), but I actually think it’s comparable to the Everlane cashmere sweaters of a decade ago.
Note that, in early 2025, Quince raised their price of the signature cashmere sweater from $50 to $60 and introduced a lightweight version of most of their cashmere styles starting at $50. I have not tried the new lightweight cashmere to compare it to the sweater I already own.
If you want a cashmere sweater or two in your life and need the nicest yet most budget-friendly option possible, I definitely recommend this sweater by Quince. There are a wide variety of colors to choose from, but the downside is the lack of size inclusivity.
I debated for an embarrassingly long time on whether I should order size XS or small. The reviews seemed relatively mixed on sizing, and the product photos didn’t help much, either. I ended up with size small, and it fits comfortably loose. I probably could have done XS for a slimmer fit, but the small is cozy, and the sleeves fit my long arms comfortably.
I’m not personally a fan of the length; as a short person, I like my sweaters to hit above the hip, but if you have a long torso and/or prefer the longer length, this is a great option. The navy color is beautiful!
How to Style
Naadam Original Cashmere Sweater Review
Sweater Details
My color and size: olive, size XS
Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colors: peacock blue, white, oatmeal, camel, dark ginger, peach, cement, black, blue horizon, navy, smoke, olive, red sangria, frost green
Fit: relaxed
Material/origin: 100% Mongolian cashmere
Weight: medium
Shop: The Original Cashmere Sweater ($98)
Free shipping on orders $175+; return fee applies if requesting refund
Sweater Review
I am in looove with the Naadam cashmere sweater! If you are debating between the $60 Quince sweater or the Naadam sweater, both are great options, but I lean slightly towards the Naadam sweater. It’s thick and luxurious and soft on the skin. It truly feels like a sweater that should cost more than it does!
They offer this sweater in a wide variety of colors and a couple more sizes on either end of the spectrum. The reviews suggest that the sweater has a relaxed fit, so I ordered a size XS. The sleeves hit me at the wrists, and I love the length, which hits just above my hips. I think I might try a size small next time for a little more room, especially in the shoulders and sleeves, but I’m not mad about this size at all.
The olive green color is stunning! If you know me, you know how much I love green, especially olive. I’m tempted by the peacock blue color, and I’m interested in trying white but nervous because I’m not sure if it’s sheer or not. (Let me know if you’ve tried this sweater in a lighter color!)
Naadam increased the price of this sweater from $75 to $98 (and changed the name) in early October 2023. It’s still a great sweater for the price, though keep an eye out for discounts! They don’t come around as often (and these sweaters are excluded from all their other promos), but they occasionally offer a buy-two-for-$150 deal, especially over the holiday season.
How to Style
Quince Cashmere Sweatshirt Review
Sweater Details
My color and size: desert sage, size S
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Colors: camel
Fit: shrunken/cropped
Material: 100% Grade A Mongolian cashmere; 15.8-16.2 micron thickness; 12 gauge, 34-36 mm fiber length
Weight: light to medium
Origin: Hircus goats in Inner Mongolia, China
Shop: Mongolian Shrunken Cashmere Sweatshirt ($69.90)
Free shipping and returns
Sweater Review
In addition to the basic cashmere sweaters offered by Quince, they also offer the Mongolian shrunken cashmere sweatshirt at an affordable $70. The feel of this cashmere is very similar to the $60 cashmere sweater, but the fit is a little bit different.
I recommend the cashmere sweatshirt for my fellow petite ladies or if you have a short waist in general. The fit is more cropped, which you may have been able to tell based on where the sweater falls on me (just above my hips). The shrunken fit through the body also means that it would likely work best for those of you on the smaller end of the size spectrum. I’m wearing a small, and it’s comfortable but definitely feels a bit more snug than the $60 sweater.
The stitch detail at the neckline and the raglan sleeves make this sweater look more casual than your typical crewneck sweater. It’s like an elevated sweatshirt, if you will. It’s fun and different! I will say that it is pilling a bit, and I haven’t worn it all that much, so prepare yourself to use a sweater shaver frequently.
How to Style
Uniqlo Cashmere Sweater Review
Sweater Details
My color and size: dark green, size M
Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colors: off white, grey, black, beige, navy, purple
Fit: regular/relaxed
Material/origin: 100% cashmere
Weight: light to medium
Shop: Cashmere Sweater ($99.90)
Free shipping on orders $99+; $7 return fee applies
Sweater Review
The Uniqlo cashmere sweater is a great basic, but the price is a little on the high end of affordability. In my opinion, it feels very similarly to Quince’s $60 cashmere sweater. If you had to choose between the two, I’d suggest the Quince sweater unless you find the Uniqlo sweater on a deeper discount (and in a size/color you want).
This isn’t the softest cashmere sweater of the sweaters I own, and it’s also a bit on the thin side. I think I’ve been officially spoiled by Quince’s cashmere offerings, as they are soft and feel thicker even though they’re at a lower price point. It may be worth trying this one if you are purchasing other items at the same time. Do feel it in store if you are able to!
Because I prefer more of a looser fit than I used to, I purchased this sweater in a size medium. As expected, it fits loose throughout the body, and the sleeves go past my wrist. I love the comfy fit (no pulling on my shoulders!). If I were to be picky, I’d prefer a shorter body length because I’m short, but the length does mean I can loosely tuck it into jeans or pants.
You might be sensing a theme with my sweater color choices so far…what can I say, I love blue and green! (Of course, my sweaters in other colors have been discontinued, ha. More on those below.) As of publication, this dark green color is available in limited sizes and on deep sale.
The following three cashmere sweaters are no longer available from their respective retailers, but I included them in case you find one or both of these styles in a secondhand shop, such as on Poshmark!
Universal Standard Cashmere Sweater Review
Sweater Details
Note that my exact sweater is no longer available. Universal Standard is currently not carrying a cashmere sweater as of early 2025. Below are the details and my review of their former “essential cashmere sweater” in case you find one!
My color and size: oatmeal, size 3XS
Sizes: 4XS, 3XS, 2XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL
Colors: black, charcoal, cinnamon, forest green, green lake, red, royal blue, navy, oatmeal
Fit: relaxed
Material/origin: 100% cashmere
Weight: light to medium
Free shipping; free returns through Happy Returns or $7 fee for mail-in
Sweater Review
If you’re looking for the most size inclusive brand yet, you’ll LOVE Universal Standard! Their sizing follows the bell curve, so the average size woman (size 18-20) corresponds to a size medium, and they offer down to 4XS (size 00-0) and up to size 4XL (size 38-40). Genius, right?! It’s a little tricky to get used to at first!
I own two items in size 3XS (2-4): this cashmere sweater and a pair of ponte pants. From my limited experience with the brand, I find the pants to fit slightly smaller than the cashmere (the pants are snug at the waist).
As far as cashmere goes, Universal Standard used to offer this wonderful option just under than $100 mark (I ordered mine when it was included in a promo). Compared to the other cashmere I own, it’s not the softest version; it feels most similar to Quince’s $60 cashmere.
It’s also long, so it’s perfect for those of you that are taller or that have longer torsos in general. I prefer sweaters that hit at the high hip. The fit is relaxed, so if you want something more form-fitting I would size down. I’m wearing the oatmeal with no undershirt here to show that it really isn’t that sheer; you can sort of see my black leggings underneath, but it’s not super obvious.
Everlane Cashmere Sweater Review
Sweater Details
Note that my exact sweater is no longer available. Since the $100 cashmere sweater (what I’m wearing here), Everlane re-released cashmere sweaters at $120, and now they offer cashmere sweaters starting at $158.
My color and size: whiskey, size XS
Sizes (new version): XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colors (new version): black, canvas, light heather grey, navy, sky blue, denim blue, light heathered moss, light sage green
Fit (new version): relaxed
Material (new version): 100% cashmere (50% recycled) plus nylon and elastane at the wrists and hem
Origin (new version): Dongguan, China (Inner Mongolia)
Shop (new version): The Classic Crew in Cashmere ($158), The Classic V in Cashmere ($178), The Boxy Crew in Cashmere ($198)
Free shipping on orders $125+; return fee applies if requesting refund
Sweater Review
The Everlane cashmere crew is my OG cashmere sweater. I purchased my first one, the original $128 version, in winter 2015; that particular iteration is still one of my favorites. I own it in multiple colors and in sizes XS and S depending on the fit I’m going for.
A few years later, they released an updated version and dropped the price to $100. Everlane claimed that the quality was the same as the original $128 version, but I would have to disagree. There is a noticeable difference between my first few sweaters and this sweater here.
The $100 Cashmere Crew feels thinner and not as soft as the $128 version from years ago. I never tried the updated $120 Cashmere Crew and have not tried the newest cashmere sweater that costs $158, but I sincerely hope that they returned to the softness level of the $128 version (or softer!).
Out of all of the sweaters here, this one is my least favorite because it’s not that thick or soft, and I’m not a fan of the extra long ribbing at the wrists. It’s also pretty long on me, which is great for tucking but I tend to prefer my sweaters on the shorter side or else they hit at an awkward point on my hips/butt. I do appreciate the wider variety of sizes and colors offered in the newest version!
How to Style
Quince Luxe Baby Cashmere Sweater Review
Sweater Details
Note that my exact sweater is no longer available. Quince’s new luxe baby cashmere sweater is $100 more than mine cost. I kept all of the details from my sweater for reference below.
My color and size: burgundy, size S
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Colors: burgundy, charcoal, ivory
Fit: regular
Material: ultra-rare, 100% Grade A cashmere; 13.5 micron thickness, 34-36mm fibre length (material is certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 which ensures that no hazardous substances are present; made from GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)-certified yarn which are free of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, and bleaches)
Weight: 205 grams
Origin: Inner Mongolia and knitted in Zhangjiagang, China
Shop (new version): Luxe Baby Cashmere Crewneck ($199.90), Men’s Luxe Baby Cashmere Crewneck ($199.90)
Free shipping and returns
Sweater Review
In addition to the $60 cashmere sweater, Quince offered this beautiful “luxe baby” cashmere sweater. It’s made from the fibers of the first combing of a baby goat; these fibers are not as thick as the fibers in the $60 sweater (13.5 microns vs. 15.1 microns), but they are much softer! This sweater has since been discontinued and a new luxe baby cashmere sweater (at a higher price point) has been released.
Between this and the $100 cashmere crew previously offered by Everlane, this sweater is sooo much softer and thicker, and I bet the new luxe baby cashmere sweater (at $199.90) is just as soft if not softer than this one. The sweater I’m wearing is just barely the softest of the cashmere sweaters I own, though the Naadam sweater is a close second. For a luxurious (but not quite as affordable) cashmere sweater, Quince’s luxe baby cashmere cannot be beat!
I ordered a size small, and it doesn’t fit as loose as the $60 sweater, so I would recommend going with your larger size if you’re in between sizes and don’t want a slim/snug fit. The sleeves are a good length on my long arms, but the body length is longer than I would prefer (Naadam wins for perfect body length, in my opinion). This sweater really is SO beautiful and definitely worth the price tag if it’s in your budget! I highly recommend searching for this sweater on secondhand sites.
How to Style
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