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Comparison Women’s cashmere knitwear

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck vs Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck if you want the softest cashmere. Buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew instead if you want great cashmere for less.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck
Buy

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck

Best for The finest cashmere

Typically $1,800–$2,400

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew
Buy

Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew

Best for Value mill

Typically $400–$550

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureLoro Piana Baby Cashmere CrewneckJohnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$1,800–$2,400$400–$550
Best forThe finest cashmereValue mill
Key featureBaby cashmere crewneckScottish cashmere crewneck
YarnBaby cashmere2-ply cashmere
WeightLightMedium
FitRegularRegular
Made inItalyScotland
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Yarn

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck: Baby cashmere; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: 2-ply cashmere.

Weight

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck: Light; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: Medium.

Fit

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck: Regular; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: Regular.

Made in

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck: Italy; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: Scotland.

Why buy it

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck: baby cashmere crewneck; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: Scottish cashmere crewneck.

Made for

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck: the finest cashmere; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: value mill.

Usual price

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck: $1,800–$2,400; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: $400–$550.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck if you

  • you want the softest cashmere
  • value exceptional
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew if you

  • you want great cashmere for less
  • value superb value
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best women’s cashmere knitwear.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Cardigan

Loro Piana · Women’s cashmere knitwear

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Cardigan

Buy it if you want the softest.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Finest cardigan
Typical price
$2,500–$3,200

Pros

  • Exceptional

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan

Brunello Cucinelli · Women’s cashmere knitwear

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan

Buy it if you want refined knitwear.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Refined knit
Typical price
$2,000–$3,000

Pros

  • Superb
  • Refined

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: which should I buy?

Buy the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck if you want the softest cashmere. Buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew instead if you want great cashmere for less.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck usually costs $1,800–$2,400 and the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew $400–$550. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew: the full reasoning

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew? Both are strong women’s cashmere knitwear, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck if you want the softest cashmere, and buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew if you want great cashmere for less. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck wins on baby cashmere crewneck. The Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew answers with Scottish cashmere crewneck. Yarn: Baby cashmere on the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck, 2-ply cashmere on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew. Weight: Light on the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck, Medium on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew. Fit: Regular on the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck, Regular on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew. Made in: Italy on the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck, Scotland on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew.

Reasons to buy the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck

Exceptional, Logo-free. What to accept: very pricey. Usual price: $1,800–$2,400. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck review.

Reasons to buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew

Superb value, Durable. What to accept: plain. Usual price: $400–$550. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best women’s cashmere knitwear has every other piece with its own call. Ply and gauge: 2-ply cashmere is tougher and warmer than single-ply; finer gauges look smarter, chunky ones feel cozier.

Also consider the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Cardigan ($2,500–$3,200): baby cashmere cardigan. Buy it if you want the softest.

Also consider the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan ($2,000–$3,000): cashmere cardigan with monili beads. Buy it if you want refined knitwear.

Buyer tip

Cashmere sweaters from great mills (Johnstons, Loro Piana, Cucinelli) last a decade with care; cheap cashmere often pills within weeks.

Buying in Europe: Italian (IT 38, 40, 42) and French (FR 36, 38, 40) clothing sizes are not the same; IT 40 is about a US 4 and an FR 36. Check each house’s chart, and keep returns in mind when you order from another country.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.