Is Luxury Cashmere Worth Buying?

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub | Style Advice

Yes — real, high-quality cashmere is absolutely worth the investment, but only if you know what to look for. Buy the wrong piece and you'll have a pilling, misshapen mess in two washes. Buy the right one and you'll still be wearing it in fifteen years. I know, because I've done both.

I once bought what I convinced myself was a "bargain cashmere jumper" from a fast-fashion rail — it was barely £30 and I wore it about four times before it looked like it had been through a hedge backwards. Conversely, I bought a slate-grey two-ply cashmere crewneck about eight years ago that still looks pristine. The difference wasn't luck — it was quality. Let me break down exactly what that means.

What Makes Cashmere "Luxury"?

Not all cashmere is created equal, and the word itself is almost meaninglessly overused on the high street. True luxury cashmere comes down to a few key things:

Fibre length and fineness: The finest cashmere fibres are long (called long-staple) and measured at 14–15.5 microns. The longer and finer the fibre, the softer the knit and the less it pills.
Ply count: Two-ply cashmere (two threads twisted together) is considerably more durable than single-ply, which is cheaper to produce but far more likely to bobble and lose shape.
Origin: The very best cashmere comes from Inner Mongolia and the Alxa Plateau in China, or from Scotland — where brands have been spinning and knitting it for centuries.
Knit weight: Hold it up to the light. A quality piece will be dense enough not to be see-through. If you can read a newspaper through it, put it back.

The Honest Truth About Pilling

Here's the bit nobody tells you: even genuinely good cashmere can pill slightly at first. It's completely normal — it's just the shorter fibres working their way out in the early wears. The difference is that on quality cashmere this stops after a few wears and a gentle de-pill, whereas on cheap cashmere it never, ever stops. A cashmere comb (they cost about £8) is genuinely one of the best beauty investments I've made for my wardrobe.

Where to Shop: High Street Options Worth Considering

You don't have to spend £400 to get decent cashmere — but you do need to spend wisely. These high street and premium options consistently come up well in independent reviews:

M&S — Their Pure Cashmere collection is genuinely hard to beat for the price point. The two-ply versions in particular have excellent longevity. A perennial favourite for good reason.
The White Company — One of the go-to names for accessible cashmere in the UK. Their relaxed-fit styles wash beautifully, and the colour range is consistently excellent.
Cos — For those who like a more architectural, minimal cut, Cos produce clean, well-made knitwear. Not always 100% cashmere, so check the label carefully.
Jigsaw — Quietly brilliant for quality knitwear. Their cashmere blend pieces punch well above their price and the cuts are genuinely flattering across different body types.
Me&Em — A premium British brand that has built a strong reputation for high-quality cashmere, particularly their relaxed V-necks and longline styles. Pricier than M&S but with a notably luxurious hand-feel.
Boden — If you like a bit of colour and pattern in your knitwear, Boden are brilliant. Their cashmere is a solid mid-market option and comes in some genuinely lovely colourways.
Massimo Dutti — The Zara sibling that most people overlook. Massimo Dutti's cashmere range is exceptionally well made for a high street brand — the tailoring and construction quality is noticeably superior.
Reiss — Worth looking at for the premium end of the accessible range. Their cashmere tends to feel weighty and well-constructed, with a more polished aesthetic than some of the casual brands.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

This is where it gets interesting. If you want something a cut above and genuinely special:

Begg & Co — A Scottish mill founded in 1866. This is the real deal — cashmere and wool scarves, wraps and blankets made with extraordinary care. Their pieces are heirlooms. If you're buying a cashmere accessory as a treat or a gift, this is the one.
Lora Gene — A smaller, independent British cashmere label with a loyal following. Beautifully considered designs, strong ethical sourcing credentials, and a refreshingly honest approach to quality. Well worth bookmarking.

How to Care for Cashmere (So It Lasts)

The reason so many people feel burnt by cashmere purchases is poor care. Here's what actually works:

Hand wash in cold water with a tiny amount of baby shampoo, or use a wool-specific detergent
Never wring it — gently press the water out, then roll it in a dry towel
Dry flat on a clean towel, away from direct heat and sunlight
Store folded, never on a hanger — hanging distorts the shoulder seams over time
Use cedar balls or lavender sachets rather than mothballs, which are harsh and leave a smell

The Verdict

Luxury cashmere is worth buying — but "luxury" doesn't always mean the most expensive price tag. It means understanding ply, fibre quality, and construction. Spend £80–£150 on a well-made two-ply piece from a trusted brand and it will outlast ten cheap substitutes. That's not just good style advice; it's genuinely better value in the long run.

The one thing I'd say above all else? Buy one excellent piece rather than three mediocre ones. A single perfect cashmere crewneck, in a shade you genuinely love, will transform how you dress from October to April.

Never Get the Size Wrong Again — Tellar.co.uk

One of the most frustrating things about buying cashmere online is the sizing — it varies enormously between brands. A 12 at M&S is not the same as a 12 at Cos, and buying the wrong size in a £120 jumper is a genuinely miserable experience.

Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool — and it was built for exactly this problem. Simply enter your measurements once and Tellar instantly matches you to your correct size across 1,500+ brands. No more squinting at size guides, no more guesswork, no more returns.

Measure once using bust, waist, hip — or just enter your size in a brand you already know
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — Cos, Reiss, The White Company, Jigsaw and hundreds more
Completely free, no app download needed — works directly in your browser

And while you're there, the Tellar Fashion Hub is stacked with free, unbiased advice from our stylists — honest, independent, and never sponsored. Think of it as your personal style library.