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Comparison Women’s cashmere knitwear

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan vs Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan if you want refined knitwear. Buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan instead if you want value.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan
Buy

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan

Best for Refined knit

Typically $2,000–$3,000

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

Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan

Best for Value cardigan

Typically $500–$650

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureBrunello Cucinelli Cashmere CardiganJohnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$2,000–$3,000$500–$650
Best forRefined knitValue cardigan
Key featureCashmere cardigan with monili beadsCashmere cardigan
YarnCashmereCashmere
WeightMediumMedium
FitRegularRegular
Made inItalyScotland
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Yarn

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan: Cashmere; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: Cashmere.

Weight

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan: Medium; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: Medium.

Fit

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan: Regular; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: Regular.

Made in

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan: Italy; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: Scotland.

Why buy it

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan: cashmere cardigan with monili beads; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: cashmere cardigan.

Made for

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan: refined knit; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: value cardigan.

Usual price

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan: $2,000–$3,000; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: $500–$650.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan if you

  • you want refined knitwear
  • value superb
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan if you

  • you want value
  • value excellent 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 Crewneck

Loro Piana · Women’s cashmere knitwear

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crewneck

Buy it if you want the softest cashmere.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
The finest cashmere
Typical price
$1,800–$2,400

Pros

  • Exceptional
  • Logo-free

Cons

  • Very pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
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

Frequently asked questions

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: which should I buy?

Buy the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan if you want refined knitwear. Buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan instead if you want value.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan usually costs $2,000–$3,000 and the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan $500–$650. 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

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan: the full reasoning

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan? Both are strong women’s cashmere knitwear, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan if you want refined knitwear, and buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan if you want value. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan wins on cashmere cardigan with monili beads. The Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan answers with cashmere cardigan. Yarn: Cashmere on the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan, Cashmere on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan. Weight: Medium on the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan, Medium on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan. Fit: Regular on the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan, Regular on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan. Made in: Italy on the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan, Scotland on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan.

Reasons to buy the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan

Superb, Refined. What to accept: pricey. Usual price: $2,000–$3,000. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Cardigan review.

Reasons to buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan

Excellent value. What to accept: plain. Usual price: $500–$650. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Cardigan 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 Crewneck ($1,800–$2,400): baby cashmere crewneck. Buy it if you want the softest cashmere.

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

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.