The Best Cashmere Sweaters for Work Outfits in 2024
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!)
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?
We've talked a lot about classic sweaters for work outfits over the years, including giving tips on how to wash “dry clean” items, and discussing what makes a sweater appropriate for the office — as well as how to do business casual in cold weather and seasonless sweaters for summer!
We've also discussed how to style sweaters as an accessory, 9 ways to use an office pashmina, and how high to button your cardigan — as well as how to do winter business casual.
(Oh, and we've also rounded up the best fake collars if you like that preppy “layered look” for your sweaters!)
{related: the best sweater jackets for the office}
Why To Wear Cashmere with Work Outfits
Cashmere can be pricy, but it is incredibly warm. Cashmere itself is a natural fiber, and you can often find blends with other natural fibers like silk, wool, or cotton.
A classic cashmere sweater can be great for work, either as a layer on top of an outfit or as an integral part of it.
TLDR: The Best Classic Cashmere Sweaters for Work
Some of the classic cashmere sweaters for work (as of 2024) include Nordstrom Cashmere, Quince ($50!), Vince, J.Crew, Naadam, Talbots, Lands' End, and Brooks Brothers. If you're looking for something fancier try TSE, Loro Piana, Akris, Autumn Cashmere, or (more casual) Jenni Kayne.
More general thoughts on cashmere:
- Hall of Famers (specific styles that have stood the test of time): J.Crew, Talbots, Brooks Brothers
- Under $150: J.Crew, Quince, Everlane, Uniqlo, Lands' End
- Petite sizes: Ann Taylor, Talbots
- Plus sizes: J.Crew, Talbots, Lands' End (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}
The Best Cashmere Blend Sweaters
As of 2024, you can find cotton-cashmere sweaters at Quince, L.L.Bean, and Reformation.
Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you're looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.
In 2024, Buck Mason has a lot of silk-cashmere-wool blend sweaters, including this turtleneck and this crewneck – APC also has some!
Another lightweight but luxe option: cashmere-linen sweaters, such as this option from Vineyard Vines.
The Best Cashmere Sweaters for Work Outfits in 2024
The Most Affordable Cashmere for Work Outfits (Under $100): Quince
Quince has quickly become a reader favorite for their super affordable workwear — including their huge range of cashmere offerings, mostly under $100.
Another great option for affordable cashmere basics: Uniqlo.
{related: how to do business casual in cold weather}
The Best Affordable Cashmere for Work Outfits Over $100: Everlane
Don't trust cashmere under $100? You're not alone — but that doesn't mean you need to jump to the four figures just yet. If you're willing to spend just a bit more, you can get some of the readers' favorites over the years.
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. The pictured one is $158, available in sizes XXS-XXL.
Readers have also been big fands of Lands' End cashmere over the years, and you can find a bunch of options under $200 in regular, petite, tall, and plus sizes. (Keep an eye out for some of their big sales.)
A bunch of other ones mentioned in this article are under $200, including this beloved cashmere/silk shawl sweater, these colorful boatneck sweaters, and these cardigans in a bunch of great prints.
{related: interview coats: the best coats to wear over a suit in winter}
Best Classic Cashmere in Patterns: Talbots
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 $199, but it's eligible for a 40% off code today!), and this one comes in regular, petite, plus, and petite plus sizes. (Talbots in general is a great place to look for plus-size workwear and plus-size petites.)
If you're looking on thrifting sites like Poshmark, this sweater has been around in a huge range of sizes and colors for at least a decade, as well as in other nice fabrics like merino.
{related: what to wear to work in winter}
The Best Classic Cashmere Sweater for Layering: Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers always has great cashmere, and this silk-cashmere shawl collar sweater is a bestseller and loooongstanding reader favorite.
I love that it's warm, but thin enough to layer beneath suit blazers or fitted jackets — and the neckline is flattering but not too low.
The sweater at full price is $168, but it's marked down to $99 today; it's available in sizes XXS-XL, in six solid colors.
The Best Cozy Cashmere Sweater for Work Outfits: Ann Taylor
Laying cashmere sweaters beneath blazers can be a nice look, but sometimes you just want a substantial cashmere sweater to feel cozy in. 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 it's marked to $178.
{related: how to buy a great winter coat}
The Best Splurge for Classic Cashmere: Loro Piana
If you're looking to splurge on cashmere, it's hard to go wrong with Loro Piana — this gorgeous classic cashmere turtleneck is a mere $2,575 at Saks. More great options for splurges: TSE or Akris.
{related: how to dress professionally on the coldest days}
The Best Less Expensive Splurge for Cashmere for Work Outfits: Veronica Beard
If $2600 for a single sweater feels like a bit much, there are a bunch of luxury brands that don't charge quite so much for a sweater.
Veronica Beard's Solene cardigan, for example, comes in a number of different colors; sometimes the buttons are fancier, sometimes there's a matching shell as well. Nordstrom has a good selection, but you can look at the brand's site to see the full range. The sweater is $448-$498.
I love the fitted look, as well as the deep V to the cardigan. There's something casually luxe about the cardigan, also — wear it with jeans, office pants, or on top of a dress.
Other brands to look to for a lesser splurge: Vince, White & Warren, and Autumn Cashmere (love this one).
More Fabulous Sweaters for Work Outfits
The Best Merino Sweaters for Work
As of 2024, our favorite 100% merino sweaters for work include Uniqlo, Everlane, Banana Republic, and APC. Eileen Fisher has high quality merino, also, although the clothes tend to be on the more casual side.
Cotton-Merino Sweaters
Hunting for cotton-merino blends? Everlane has a bunch as of 2024.
The Best Silk Sweaters
100% silk sweaters are incredibly hard to find at the moment, but Nordstrom has a very limited collection, including options from LilySilk.
M.M.LaFleur has a bunch of silk jersey sweaters, including cardigans!
Looking for cotton-silk pieces? Banana Republic has some; so does M.M.LaFleur.
Poetry has a number of pieces in a linen silk blend.
The Best Wool Blend Sweaters
Silk-wool sweaters are hard to find, but Tory Burch's bestselling cardigan fits the bill.
Hunting for cotton-merino blends? Everlane has a bunch as of 2024.
Hunting for sweaters in a wool-alpaca blend? Stay tuned for our full roundup, but as of 2023 check out AllSaints and Buck Mason.
The Best 100% Cotton Sweaters
Hunting for 100% cotton sweaters? As of 2024 we recommend J.Crew Factory, J.Crew, Quince, Amour Vert, Brooks Brothers, Barbour, and Amazon Essentials. For splurges, check out Molly Moorcamp or State of Cotton, as well as Frank & Eileen's Monterey sweater.
Great Sweater Tees for Work
Some of our favorite short-sleeved sweater tees for 2024 include cashmere ones from Quince ($45!), Ann Taylor, Theory, J.Crew,* and Boden. (* plus sizes too!) For other materials, try Tuckernuck (cashmere/silk), J.Crew Factory (100% cotton), and Amazon (viscose/poly). As of 2024, Nordstrom and Anthropologie both have a huge selection of sweater tees. (All of the ones below come in white and black, as well as other colors!)
Stylish Sweater Jackets for the Office
Some of our favorite sweater jackets for the office as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur (the OG, the jardigan!), L'Agence, Summersalt, J.Crew, and Jenni Kayne. For budget options check J.Crew Factory and Quince.
Trendy Lady Sweater Jackets for Work
Some of our latest favorite lady jackets for work include sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the budget side of things, check out Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. If you prefer a lined, more Chanel-style jacket for work, do take a look at IRO and L'Agence; Mango, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell often have them at budget-friendly prices.
Classic Cardigans for Work
Some of our favorite classic cardigans for the office as of 2024 include those below — definitely check Talbots and J.Crew Factory if you're looking for plus sizes, and Quince is always a nice affordable option. Veronica Beard and Brooks Brothers both keep a bunch of options in stock.
Great Pashminas, Ruanas, and Other Wraps (Great for Business Travel, On Top of Blazers, and More)
Some of our favorite office pashminas as of 2024 include ones from J.Crew, Nordstrom, and this super affordable one from Amazon. If you're looking for more of a ruana jacket, I highly recommend the Brooks Brothers' ones!
What to Layer Beneath Your Sweaters with Work Outfits
We love layering camisoles or tanks beneath classic cashmere sweaters to save on drycleaning, as well as to make them a bit more comfortable! Another benefit — if you layer with a T-shirt you can easily remove your sweater if you get too hot. (Sleeveless arms are fine in many offices, but know yours!)
Our Favorite Camisoles To Layer Beneath Cashmere Sweaters
Some of our favorite camisoles for work include Commando's Butter camisole and Honeylove's shaping cami. If you're on a budget, try J.Crew Factory (reversible and several “nude” shades) or Amazon's multi-packs. Other options: demi-camisoles from companies like Halftee (Amazon also has a lot) — 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!
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I saw a picture of myself in my 12 year old black Michael Kors wear-all-the-time cardigan and it look faded and too small. Looking for a new good quality timeless not frump black cardigan for another ten years! Not too warm as I live in Florida, please.
Check out Quince, Alo’s Jet Set cardigan, or the NAADAM featherweight.
I have old Everlane cashmere that was great but they changed it at some point to recycled cashmere. It’s so disappointing now. I’d rather pay more to have the old product – like $200, $250 would still be a good price point.
This is super random, but if you find yourself in Paris, Gallerie Lafayette has awesome house-brand cashmere French sailor striped sweaters for 99 euros.
Uniqlo’s HeatTech long sleeves are amazing for layering in very cold weather!