Honest & Unsponsored Best Buys: Cashmere Sweaters

Look, I've been styling blokes for over fifteen years now, and if there's one investment piece that separates the men from the boys in terms of wardrobe essentials, it's a proper cashmere sweater. Not that acrylic nonsense masquerading as luxury, but genuine, honest-to-goodness cashmere that'll last you decades if you treat it right.

Here's the thing about cashmere that most people don't understand: it's not just about warmth or softness, though God knows it delivers on both fronts. A quality cashmere jumper is about weight, drape, and how it sits on your frame. You want something substantial enough to hold its shape but light enough that you're not sweating through meetings. The sweet spot? Look for two-ply cashmere at minimum. Single-ply might feel cloud-like in the shop, but it'll pill faster than you can say "dry clean only" and lose its shape after a few wears.

The Styling Fundamentals

Before we dive into specific brands, let's talk about how to actually wear cashmere without looking like you've raided your grandfather's wardrobe or, worse, like you're trying too hard. The beauty of a cashmere crew neck or V-neck is its versatility. Layer it over a crisp Oxford shirt with the collar visible for smart-casual occasions, or wear it directly against skin with well-fitted chinos for weekend sophistication. The key is fit: you want it skimming your body, not clinging like cling film or billowing like a sail.

Colour-wise, start with the foundations. Navy, charcoal grey, and oatmeal are your workhorses. Once you've got those sorted, branch into burgundy, forest green, or even a rich camel tone. Black cashmere is smart, but it shows every bit of lint and pet hair, so bear that in mind if you've got a cat or dog at home.

High Street Heroes

Uniqlo remains my go-to recommendation for blokes just dipping their toes into cashmere waters. Their cashmere crew necks typically retail around £80-£100, which is frankly remarkable value. The quality won't match what you'll find further up the price ladder, but for the money, you're getting genuine Mongolian cashmere that's soft, reasonably durable, and comes in a solid range of colours. Perfect for building your basics without breaking the bank. The fit runs slightly boxy, so if you're between sizes, size down.

M&S Collection has genuinely upped their game in recent years. Their pure cashmere jumpers sit around £99-£129, and while the styling can sometimes veer conservative, the actual quality of the yarn is excellent. What I particularly rate about M&S is their attention to finishing details—proper ribbing at cuffs and hem, reinforced shoulder seams. These are jumpers that'll handle regular wear without falling apart. They also offer a decent range of colours each season beyond just the basics.

Independent & Boutique Brilliance

N.Peal is where things get properly interesting. This London-based brand has been knitting cashmere since 1936, and you can feel that heritage in every piece. Expect to pay £250-£400 for their jumpers, but what you're getting is exceptional Scottish-spun yarn, often in heavier gauges that give real presence. Their cable knits are particularly special—chunky without being agricultural, sophisticated without being stuffy. James Bond wore N.Peal in Skyfall, which tells you everything about their understated elegance.

Johnstons of Elgin is another Scottish stalwart that deserves serious respect. They've been milling cashmere in Elgin since 1797, so they know a thing or two about the craft. Prices range from £200-£350 for their jumpers, and the quality is absolutely first-rate. What sets them apart is the incredible softness without any sacrifice in durability. Their lightweight cashmere pieces are perfect for transitional weather—substantial enough for autumn evenings but breathable enough that you won't overheat indoors.

Sunspel brings a more contemporary British aesthetic to the cashmere game. Founded in 1860, they've mastered the art of modern classics. Their cashmere jumpers, typically £295-£395, feature cleaner lines and a slightly more fitted silhouette than traditional options. The yarn quality is exceptional, sourced from Inner Mongolia and spun in Scotland. I particularly rate their roll necks for that effortless continental look.

Designer & Luxury Tier

Loro Piana is the benchmark. Yes, you're looking at £600-£1,200 for a jumper, but this is cashmere nirvana. The Italian luxury house controls its supply chain from fibre selection through to finished garment, and the difference is palpable. Their cashmere is incredibly fine—often 15-15.5 microns—yet remarkably robust. The colours are sublime, from rich earth tones to sophisticated pastels, and the fit is impeccable. This is the jumper you'll still be wearing in twenty years, handed down eventually to your son.

Brunello Cucinelli represents the absolute pinnacle of Italian cashmere craftsmanship. Expect £800-£1,400 for their pieces, and honestly, they're worth every penny if you've got the budget. The fit is relaxed but refined, the colours are gorgeously nuanced, and the hand-feel is extraordinary. What you're also buying into with Cucinelli is ethical production—they famously pay their workers well above market rates and the quality control is obsessive.

Tom Ford brings American glamour to cashmere knitwear. His jumpers, ranging from £700-£1,000, feature luxurious yarns and impeccable tailoring. The silhouettes are more fashion-forward than traditional luxury brands—slightly cropped, perfectly fitted through the body. These are statement pieces that work beautifully with tailored trousers and leather shoes for elevated casual occasions.

Care and Maintenance

Right, you've invested in quality cashmere, now don't balls it up by throwing it in the washing machine with your gym kit. Hand wash in cool water with dedicated cashmere shampoo, or better yet, get it professionally cleaned. Store folded, never hung—cashmere stretches under its own weight. Use cedar blocks in your wardrobe to keep moths at bay. Pilling will happen regardless of quality; invest in a proper cashmere comb and gently remove pills when they appear.

Finding Your Perfect Fit with Tellar

Now, here's where shopping for cashmere gets significantly easier. I always recommend my clients use Tellar.co.uk before making any investment in quality knitwear. It's completely free and solves the biggest headache with buying cashmere—sizing consistency across brands.

Tellar is the UK's leading sizing tool that matches your body measurements to over 1500 brands instantly. No more endless scrolling through size guides or ordering multiple sizes to return later. You measure once using bust, waist, and hip measurements (full instructions here: https://www.tellar.co.uk/how-to-measure/men), then use their Store Size Lookup tool (https://www.tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/men) to get your precise size in every brand I've mentioned above—whether that's Uniqlo, Johnstons of Elgin, or Brunello Cucinelli.

This is genuinely transformative when you're shopping for cashmere. A medium in Uniqlo fits very differently to a medium in Tom Ford. Tellar eliminates the guesswork entirely, meaning you shop with complete confidence. No awkward returns, no disappointment when something arrives and doesn't fit right, just perfectly fitting purchases every time. It works entirely in-browser, no downloads needed, and did I mention it's completely free?

Beyond the sizing tool, Tellar has built an incredible Fashion Hub—a library filled with free posts from top stylists covering every menswear query imaginable. It's honest, unbiased, independent advice, always free. Whether you're looking for guidance on smart-casual dressing, finding the best jean brands, or mastering casual style, it's all there.

The bottom line? Quality cashmere is an investment that pays dividends season after season. Start with high street basics, add independent brands as your budget allows, and consider designer pieces for milestone purchases. Get your sizing sorted with Tellar, treat your jumpers well, and you'll build a knitwear collection that serves you for life. That's proper style, no nonsense, just results.