Good cashmere feels dense, not fuzzy. Ply, gauge and fiber length help describe a knit; they do not establish its lifespan on their own. The picks cover different budgets and styles, and each one lists the specs the brand publishes.
I own several cashmere sweaters, mostly from Todd Snyder. Longer fibers and knit construction are useful details to compare, alongside care and your intended use. Here is how to find them.
How to judge cashmere
Ply and gauge
Ply is the number of yarn strands twisted into one thread. Ply counts yarn strands; warmth and wear resistance also depend on yarn size, knit density and the full garment. GOBI Cashmere calls two-ply the most common choice in premium cashmere, and says it holds its shape better than single-ply.
Gauge helps describe knit fineness. Higher-gauge knits are often finer, but finished weight and warmth also depend on yarn and construction. A two-ply, 12-gauge crew is a fine all-season knit. A four-ply, 7-gauge knit is a winter sweater.
Fiber length and pilling
Pills form when short fibers work loose and roll into balls. Longer fibers pill less. Luca Faloni puts cashmere fiber length between 28 and 42 millimeters, with the longest from the goat’s neck and underbelly.
Some pilling is normal even in expensive cashmere. Pilling varies with yarn, friction and care; price alone does not establish a wash-by-wash outcome. The Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute says quality garments pill less.
Where it is spun and knit
Most cashmere fiber comes from goats in China and Mongolia. Scotland and Italy have long been known for spinning and knitting it. Few brands tell you where the yarn is spun. The ones that do are worth a closer look.
Best overall: Luca Faloni Crew Neck
The Luca Faloni Cashmere Crew Neck in Camel Beige ($375) is the most transparent sweater on this list. It is two-ply, 12-gauge and about 250 grams. The fiber is Mongolian, the yarn is spun by Cariaggi in Italy and the sweater is knit in Bergamo.
Luca Faloni cuts it slightly tailored. It comes in 15 colors, and camel is the one that goes with everything.
Best crewneck: Sid Mashburn Classic Crewneck
The Sid Mashburn Classic Crewneck Sweater in Navy Cashmere ($395) is two-ply Mongolian cashmere, fully fashioned and made in China. Mashburn calls it midweight.
The fit is slim but not tight, with a saddle shoulder and turnback cuffs. The label says dry clean only.
Best half-zip: Sid Mashburn Half-Zip
The Sid Mashburn Half-Zip Sweater in Navy Cashmere ($450) is four-ply, twice the plies of the crew. Mashburn calls it a tailored version of a pullover fleece. It uses four-ply yarn; that count alone does not prove it is the thickest yarn on the list.
Mashburn also makes this style in a cotton and cashmere blend for $295. That one is not 100 percent cashmere, so check the listing.
Best polo collar: Buck Mason California Cashmere Polo
The Buck Mason California Cashmere Polo in Dress Navy ($268) is a 12-gauge jersey knit in long-staple cashmere with hand-linked seams and shell buttons. Buck Mason cuts it slim and says to hand wash it.
A cashmere polo dresses up a pair of chinos without a jacket. It is the most useful knit here for a warm climate.
Best value: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck
The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater ($59.90) is the reason cashmere is no longer a splurge. Quince lists the specs: 15.8 to 16.2 micron fiber, 34 to 36 millimeter length and a 12-gauge knit. It is made in China and Cambodia.
The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Polo Sweater ($99.90) uses the same fiber if he wants a collar.
Runner-up: Naadam Original Crewneck
The Naadam Original Cashmere Crewneck ($98) is 100 percent Mongolian cashmere. Naadam says it runs small and recommends sizing up if you are between sizes.
A note on Everlane
The Everlane Cashmere Crew ($148) uses long, fine Grade-A fiber, according to Everlane. But the cuffs and hem are blends, with nylon and elastane at the bottom band. Read the full composition before you buy.
What I wear: Todd Snyder Cashmere Crewneck
Most of my cashmere is Todd Snyder. The Todd Snyder Cashmere Crewneck in Tobacco ($328) is fully fashioned with a tubular hem. Todd Snyder tags it as a slim fit.
I also own several sweaters from Collars & Co. I have worn all of them for over a year. None has pilled or shrunk, and they keep getting softer.
The other blend in my closet is the Collars & Co Luxury Touch Cotton and Cashmere Crew ($118). It is crazy soft, and the cotton makes it easy to wear in Florida. My Collars & Co review covers it, plus a warning on the oatmeal shade.
Comparison table
| Sweater | Ply | Gauge | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luca Faloni Crew Neck | 2-ply | 12 | $375 |
| Sid Mashburn Classic Crewneck | 2-ply | Not stated | $395 |
| Sid Mashburn Half-Zip | 4-ply | Not stated | $450 |
| Buck Mason California Cashmere Polo | Not stated | 12 | $268 |
| Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck | Not stated | 12 | $59.90 |
| Naadam Original Crewneck | Not stated | Not stated | $98 |
| Everlane Cashmere Crew | Not stated | Not stated | $148 |
| Todd Snyder Cashmere Crewneck | Not verified | Not verified | $328 |
Cashmere vs merino wool
Cashmere is the fine undercoat of the cashmere goat. Under US labeling rules, it must average 19 microns or less, according to the FTC. Superfine merino runs 15 to 18.5 microns, so the best merino is as fine as cashmere.
Price is the bigger difference. At Quince, a merino polo is $80 and the cashmere polo is $99.90. At the top end, Luca Faloni says the best cashmere yarn costs up to 200 euros per kilogram.
Warmth claims are mostly marketing. Brands say cashmere is up to three times warmer than wool, but none cite a test. Merino’s natural crimp traps air well. Cashmere makers say it is lighter at the same warmth.
Care differs too. Much merino is treated as superwash so it can go in a machine. Follow each cashmere item’s care label; some call for professional cleaning.
How to care for cashmere
Wear it several times between washes. Air it out overnight instead of washing after every wear.
Follow the care label on your sweater. If it permits hand washing, use cold water and a wool or cashmere detergent. Never wring or twist it. Press the water out with a towel and dry it flat.
Fold cashmere. Never hang it. Store it in a breathable bag with cedar, which Johnstons of Elgin recommends to keep moths away.
Remove pills with a cashmere comb once the sweater is fully dry. Keep it away from nylon, like seat belts and jacket linings, which cause friction.
Frequently asked questions
Is 100 percent cashmere worth it?
Yes, if it is two-ply or more with long fibers. A good cashmere crew weighs little, layers easily and lasts for years with care. A single-ply or lower-priced garment is not automatically poor quality; compare construction, feel and care.
Why does cashmere pill?
Friction pushes short, loose fibers to the surface, where they roll into balls. Longer fibers and tighter knits pill less. Some pilling is normal in the first few wears.
Is cashmere warmer than merino wool?
Brands say so, but no one cites a test. Compare the actual garments: yarn, knit density, thickness, fit and layering all affect warmth and feel.
How can you tell good cashmere?
Check the ply, the gauge and where it was knit. Rub the surface. Good cashmere feels dense and smooth, not loose and hairy. Stretch a cuff gently. It should spring back.
Prices, specs and stock as shown on each brand’s site on October 21, 2026.
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