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Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
In terms of the “warmest sweaters for work” category, I still think it's a fight between merino and cashmere. Both can be itchy if they're on the less expensive side, but cashmere done right is super, super soft.
(Pro tip — if you wear a t-shirt, tank or camisole beneath your sweaters they will not only be more comfortable but you can go longer between washing or dry cleaning them — we'll put our favorites at the end of the post!)
Today we're going on a hunt for the best cashmere sweaters out there right now — readers, have you bought any great cashmere recently? What do you think are the best classic cashmere sweaters for work?
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First, some general categories to round up for classic cashmere sweaters for work:
- Hall of Famers (specific styles that have stood the test of time): Halogen, J.Crew (turtle, crew, V), Talbots, Brooks Brothers (cable knit, shawl collar)
- Under $150: Halogen, J.Crew (turtle, crew, V), Everlane, Lord & Taylor, Uniqlo, Lands' End
- Petite sizes: Ann Taylor, Lord & Taylor, Talbots
- Plus sizes: J.Crew, Talbots, Lord & Taylor, (sign up for our newsletter focusing on plus-size workwear!)
- Where to Splurge: Brooks Brothers, InHabit NY, Loro Piana, Akris, TSE, Brora, & Eric Bompard
{related: what to wear to work when it's cold outside}
What to Layer Beneath Your Classic Cashmere Sweater
We love layering camisoles or t-shirts beneath classic cashmere sweaters to save on drycleaning as well as to make them a bit more comfortable! If you layer with a t-shirt you can also remove your sweater if you get too hot.
Our Favorite Camisoles To Layer Beneath Cashmere Sweaters
Pictured above, our favorite camisoles for work: one / two / three / four (25+ different color combos in a 4 pack!)– don't forget about demi-camisoles too, such as this, this or this — or chemisettes!)
Great T-Shirts for Layering Beneath Cashmere Sweaters
Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Nic + Zoe, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!
I remembered that Halogen was highly rated and affordable, but I almost thought Everlane was more affordable — this is $98 (full price) but marked down to $65. It comes in a whopping THIRTEEN colors and has nearly 500 rave reviews.
(Another highly rated cashmere piece is this duster cardigan and this wool & cashmere tunic (which would look great with those faux leather leggings that are everywhere now!)) Pictured.
{related: how to do business casual in cold weather}
In terms of the most affordable cashmere sweaters for work, there are a few places that reliably have either great prices on cashmere (Everlane) or great sales on cashmere (Lord & Taylor, Last Call).
What other affordable spots am I forgetting, readers? The cashmere crewneck at Everlane is their #1 best-selling item for women; I've had a lot of Everlane cashmere over the years and have found it to be soft, warm, and durable.
{related: interview coats: the best coats to wear over a suit in winter}
Talbots cashmere often appears on our cashmere roundups because they're a reader favorite, particularly this classically shaped sweater (the Audrey) and their Charming cardigan sets. They're priced well (this one is full price at $169) and Talbots is a great place to look for plus-size workwear and plus-size petites, although this leopard sweater only comes in regular and petite sizes. (But it's available in merino wool in plus sizes!)
{related: what to wear to work in winter}
Brooks Brothers always has great cashmere, including their more price-friendly line, Red Fleece. This cable-knit cashmere sweater is as classic as it gets, and is $198 in a TON of colors, XS-XL.
This pretty one from Ann Taylor feels sumptuous in the pale neutral colors –I think it would look great with some winter whites or other wintry pale pants. The sweater is available in petite and regular sizes XXS-XXL; it's $298 full price but today you can take 50% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY.
{related: how to buy a great winter coat}
If you're looking to splurge on cashmere, it's hard to go wrong with Loro Piana — this gorgeous classic cashmere V-neck is a mere $1,375 at Saks.
{related: how to dress professionally on the coldest days}
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LM
If you were going to start to build a plus-size professional capsule-ish wardrobe, what would you buy?
Some specifics: attorney starting new job in a pretty conservative law firm; age: late 40s; initial investment: about $1,000; preferences include skirts and dresses over pants, dark colors over light, stretchy fabric over non-stretchy, machine washable items over anything else. I have suits to wear to court, but need things to wear in the office on non-court days.
Brand names, sources, and/or links would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Anon86
Google Classy Yet Trendy; workwear; plus size options in there
LM
Love it -thank you!
Anonymous
I’m in tech, but my Etsuko dresses from MM LaFleur are biggest workhouses for me. I tend to wear black and dark green the most.Probably the best cost per wear of anything I own given how heavy they are on rotation. I also think a good wrap dress in black and a nice fabric (not too thin) can take you almost anywhere by changing out accessories and shoes. I don’t have a good brand recommendation though–the one I wear most was something I just happened to pick up online from Nordstrom Rack by chance (Maggy London–it’s in a super thick jersey). But that’s the sort of thing you need to really try on to get the right fit and know the weight. (I don’t like to wear them if I don’t have to, but a good slip can also make a world of difference in hang.)
LM
Thank you! Good workhorse dresses are exactly what I need. I have a couple in my MM LaFleur shopping cart – will consider pulling the trigger now.
Anonymous
I like Magashoni cashmere, and Neiman Marcus house brand. Both are well made and have stood up well to travel, etc.
Eliza
I really love Eric Bompard’s cashmere. They feel like a cloud, wear like iron, and wash beautifully. The size charts are very accurate, so I don’t worry about possible overseas returns.
Anonymous
Has anyone tried NAADAM cashmere?
Machine wash or bust
I gave up on cashmere a few years ago b/c I couldn’t deal with handwashing. Is that still the standard way to care for cashmere?
Kat G
I used to have a rule that the first year I owned something I would wash it by hand, but after that I would throw it in a sweater bag, in the delicate cycle, with Woolite, and lay it flat to dry. I just wash everything that way now to be honest. If I had a sweater that was super super delicate or very expensive I might wash it by hand, but for almost everything we’re featuring (at least amongst the under $250 stuff) it’s going to be pretty hearty and hold up pretty well.
Eleacouise
Lands End has an awesome long cable cardigan in cashmere. It`s It’s scrumptious. I bought it in black, then went back for white, gray, camel, red and blue. On sale it was $129 and worth every dime. I’m an inhouse attorney & wear one almost every day now instead of a jacket.
Mamie
I have trouble with pilling and my cashmere sweaters. I have two Halogen turtlenecks…one in a fabulous blue, that I am constantly working on to get rid of the pills. I sometimes weirdly find merino is safer in terms of holding up and staying beautiful.