Cashmere jumpers are the chicest way to keep warm and these are my favourites

Prepare for extreme cosiness

Cashmere jumpers have been a wardrobe staple of mine for as long as I can remember. I've experimented with styles over the years, some more questionable than others (ahem neon everything and Mr T necklaces), but they are the one item I've never strayed from.

Alongside the best cosy cashmere scarves, cashmere jumpers are a secret weapon in ensuring you remain warm and stylish, no matter what the weather may throw at you. So much so that I gift them to my family every Christmas.

It is a great fabric to rely on for its warmth. It's naturally breathable and provides insulation, plus has unparalleled softness. It's also extremely durable: look after it well (see our guide to wash and store cashmere) and it should last you a lifetime.

When investing in a cashmere jumper, it is important to take into account colour and silhouette. If you're looking for a wardrobe staple, I'd suggest a neutral shade such as beige or grey, though it can always be fun to invest in something more statement too. I have an orange Vince jumper I love pairing with tailored cream trousers.

Cashmere jumpers are endlessly versatile as well. While you might be inclined to pair it alongside trousers or jeans and your winter coat for a day at the office, styling your jumper alongside a sequin skirt can be great for an evening out.

Keep scrolling to read about how to care for your cashmere and then shop best cashmere jumpers around.

Brittany Bathgate wearing cashmere jumper

(Image credit: @brittanybathgate)

What is cashmere?

You might know that cashmere is a more luxurious type of wool, and therefore is more expensive, but do you know why? That is because it comes from a specific type of goat, the cashmere goat, which produces finer, softer hair. Each goat sheds its hair once a year, and there isn't much of it, so it makes the fibre rarer and therefore pricier.

How to wash cashmere:

First off, you'll want to check the care label as some cashmere jumpers are machine washable (M&S do a great line), but others aren't. Usually, you'll need to wash them by hand in warm - but not hot - water, or in certain rare cases, dry clean only. Make sure you also lay it flat to dry so that it doesn't lose its shape, we have a full guide on how to wash and store cashmere here.

Best cashmere jumpers:

There is no denying it, cashmere jumpers are an investment so come with a higher price tag than your average wool jumpers. That said, some high-street stores such as John Lewis, M&S and Uniqlo sell budget-friendly styles that don't compromise on quality.

If you're looking to invest in a designer piece make sure to check out the selection at Net-a-Porter and Selfridges. Shop my edit of cashmere jumpers, including both 100% cashmere styles and cashmere blends.

Shop the best cashmere jumpers: 

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.

With contributions from