Buying Cashmere That Actually Lasts

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

Good cashmere will outlive almost everything else in your wardrobe — but only if you buy the right kind. The honest answer is this: not all cashmere is created equal, and the difference between a jumper that pills after three wears and one that's still perfect in five years' time comes down to a few very specific things. I've made expensive mistakes so you don't have to.

What Makes Cashmere Worth Buying?

Cashmere comes from the undercoat of cashmere goats, and the quality varies enormously depending on where the fibre originates, how long the individual strands are, and how many ply (twisted threads) are used to make the yarn.

Fibre length matters most. Longer fibres (called "long-staple") pill far less. Cheaper cashmere uses shorter fibres that shed and ball up quickly.
Ply count tells you durability. Two-ply cashmere is the sweet spot for everyday wear — it's warm without being bulky, and far more robust than single-ply.
Grade A is the finest. It comes from the neck region of the goat and has the narrowest, softest fibre diameter. If a brand doesn't mention grade, assume it's mixed.
The weight test. Hold it up to the light — you should see a slight texture, not transparency. Very thin cashmere won't wear well.

The Pilling Problem — And How to Avoid It

Let me be honest: I once bought a gorgeous oatmeal roll-neck from a fast fashion brand in a moment of weakness. Two wears in, it looked like it had been through a hedge backwards. Pilling is the cashmere equivalent of a bad first date — you realise pretty quickly it's not going to work out.

Pilling happens when loose fibres tangle together with friction. The fix is simple: buy better-quality cashmere. But if you already have a pilling jumper, a good cashmere comb or de-piller is genuinely life-changing. That said, prevention is always better.

How to Wash Cashmere Without Ruining It

This is where so many people go wrong — and I include my past self in that. Cashmere does not need to be dry-cleaned (that's largely a myth put about to keep the dry-cleaning industry in business). But it does need a bit of care.

Hand wash in cool water with a small amount of specialist wool wash or even baby shampoo. The key word is cool — hot water felts cashmere instantly.
Machine wash on a wool/delicates cycle at 30°C — many modern cashmere pieces are now safe for this. Always check the label.
Never wring or twist. Press the water out gently, then roll in a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
Dry flat, always. Hanging wet cashmere stretches it out of shape. Lay it flat on a drying rack or a clean towel, reshaping as you go.
Wash inside out to reduce friction on the outer surface and protect the finish.

I wash mine every three to four wears, not after every single use. Cashmere benefits from airing between wears — a gentle steam or hanging it in a steamy bathroom does wonders for freshening it up without washing.

Where to Buy Cashmere on the High Street — and Actually Trust It

The good news is you don't need to spend a fortune. There are some genuinely brilliant options at every price point right now.

For everyday high street picks:

M&S — their Pure Cashmere range is consistently one of the best-value buys on the high street. The two-ply jumpers wash beautifully and the colour palette is excellent. Honestly, I'd put certain M&S cashmere up against some premium brands without hesitation.
Jigsaw — quietly one of the best for knitwear on the British high street. Their cashmere sits at a mid-price point but the quality is notably above that. Classic shapes, beautiful colours, and they last well.
Cos — great for minimalist, architectural cashmere pieces. Their blends are carefully done and if you want something relaxed-fit and contemporary, Cos delivers it.
Whistles — reliable, wearable cashmere in consistently flattering cuts. Good for workwear-friendly styles that cross over into weekend dressing easily.
Me&Em — this is where the high street meets premium territory. Their cashmere is excellent and the fit is tailored to be flattering on real bodies. Their turtlenecks are particularly good.
Hush — underrated for cashmere. Their relaxed, slightly slouchy silhouettes suit the way most of us actually want to wear knitwear at home and out. Soft handle and reasonable price point.
Boden — a great source for colourful, cheerful cashmere if you don't want to stick to neutrals. Good durability and they wash well.
The White Company — dependable, classic cashmere in beautifully neutral tones. A reliable gift choice and a brand that genuinely cares about quality. Their two-ply crewnecks are a wardrobe staple for good reason.

Two independent brands worth knowing:

Brora — a Scottish heritage cashmere brand that's been producing beautifully made knitwear for decades. Their cashmere is sourced and spun to high standards and the pieces are genuinely investment-grade. Not cheap, but they will outlast almost anything on this list.
Jumper 1234 — a London-based indie brand with an excellent reputation among fashion editors (they appear in Vogue and Grazia regularly). Brilliant range of textures and weights, and their cashmere holds up very well over time. Particularly good for slightly more directional, less conservative styles.

What to Spend — And When It's Worth Spending More

For everyday cashmere you'll reach for constantly — think plain crewnecks, V-necks, and fine-knit jumpers — the M&S, Jigsaw, and Hush tier is absolutely worth it and completely sufficient. You do not need to spend £400 on a plain camel polo neck.

Where I would invest more is in a really well-cut turtleneck or an oversized wrap cardigan — the sort of piece that you'll wear for years. For those, Me&Em, Brora, or Jumper 1234 are worth the extra spend because the longevity and quality difference is tangible.

Storing Cashmere Properly

Never hang cashmere — fold and store flat. Hanging causes the shoulders to stretch permanently.
Use cedar balls or lavender sachets in your drawer. Moths adore cashmere, and natural repellents work well without chemicals.
Make sure it's clean before storing for the season — even invisible residues from skin oils or food attract moths over summer.

Never Get Your Size Wrong Again — Tellar Has You Covered

One of the biggest frustrations with buying cashmere online is sizing. One brand's medium swamps you; another's small is suspiciously tight. It's genuinely maddening — and it's why Tellar.co.uk exists.

Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool — and it's completely changed the way I shop online. Here's how it works:

Measure once — just your bust, waist, and hip measurements (or use your size in a brand you already know fits).
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size in over 1,500 brands instantly — including Jigsaw, M&S, Cos, Me&Em, The White Company, and hundreds more.
No downloads, no account needed, no faff. It works in-browser, it's always free.

If you've ever ordered a cashmere jumper online and had to return it because the fit was off, Tellar is genuinely the solution. It takes the guesswork out completely.

Beyond sizing, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library of over 5,000 free fashion articles written by real stylists — honest, independent, and never sponsored. Whether you're looking for guidance on the ultimate clothing sizing guide, the best jean trends for 2025 and 2026, the ultimate guide to dresses and best buys, or the ultimate guide to jackets and best buys — it's all there, completely free.

No ads. No paywalls. No sponsored nonsense. Just genuinely useful fashion advice from people who care about getting it right.