Best men’s cashmere knitwear (2026): buy these, skip those

Quick answer

Buy the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crew Men if you want one answer: baby cashmere crewneck. Best for best value: the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men. Best for refined: the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Roll Neck.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated November 6, 2026 2 min read

We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money

Our picks at a glance

Buy this first Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crew Men Best for The finest · Typically $1,800–$2,400
Check Price
Best value Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men Best for Best value · Typically $400–$550
Check Price
Refined Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Roll Neck Best for Refined · Typically $1,800–$2,500
Check Price
Fine merino John Smedley Merino Crew Best for Fine merino · Typically $250–$320
Check Price
Smart knit Zegna Oasi Cashmere Polo Knit Best for Smart knit · Typically $1,200–$1,600
Check Price
Italian heritage Drumohr Cashmere Crew Best for Italian heritage · Typically $700–$1,000
Check Price
Cable Brunello Cucinelli Cable Cashmere Best for Cable · Typically $2,500–$3,500
Check Price
Classic cable Ralph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Cable Best for Classic cable · Typically $1,200–$1,600
Check Price
Rugged value William Lockie Lambswool Crew Best for Rugged value · Typically $200–$280
Check Price
Scottish Begg x Co Cashmere Crew Best for Scottish · Typically $600–$800
Check Price
Relaxed knit Massimo Alba Cashmere Crew Best for Relaxed knit · Typically $800–$1,100
Check Price
Smart Zegna Oasi Cashmere Cardigan Best for Smart · Typically $1,800–$2,500
Check Price
Neapolitan knit Kiton Cashmere Crew Best for Neapolitan knit · Typically $1,800–$2,500
Check Price
Value cashmere N.Peal Cashmere Crew Best for Value cashmere · Typically $350–$450
Check Price
Turtleneck Ralph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Turtleneck Best for Turtleneck · Typically $1,500–$2,000
Check Price
Rarest knit Loro Piana Vicuña Sweater Best for Rarest knit · Typically $6,000–$9,000
Check Price
Fashion knit Tom Ford Cashmere Cardigan Best for Fashion knit · Typically $1,800–$2,200
Check Price
Fashion knit Berluti Cashmere Sweater Best for Fashion knit · Typically $1,500–$1,900
Check Price
Discreet Hermès Cashmere Sweater Best for Discreet · Typically $1,500–$2,000
Check Price

Paid link: buttons go to the retailer. Prices change often, so we link to the current price instead of listing one.

Comparison table

Feature	Buy this firstLoro Piana Baby Cashmere Crew Men	Best valueJohnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men	RefinedBrunello Cucinelli Cashmere Roll Neck	Fine merinoJohn Smedley Merino Crew	Smart knitZegna Oasi Cashmere Polo Knit	Italian heritageDrumohr Cashmere Crew	CableBrunello Cucinelli Cable Cashmere	Classic cableRalph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Cable	Rugged valueWilliam Lockie Lambswool Crew	ScottishBegg x Co Cashmere Crew	Relaxed knitMassimo Alba Cashmere Crew	SmartZegna Oasi Cashmere Cardigan	Neapolitan knitKiton Cashmere Crew	Value cashmereN.Peal Cashmere Crew	TurtleneckRalph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Turtleneck	Rarest knitLoro Piana Vicuña Sweater	Fashion knitTom Ford Cashmere Cardigan	Fashion knitBerluti Cashmere Sweater	DiscreetHermès Cashmere Sweater
Verdict	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Consider	Consider	Consider	Consider
Typical price	$1,800–$2,400	$400–$550	$1,800–$2,500	$250–$320	$1,200–$1,600	$700–$1,000	$2,500–$3,500	$1,200–$1,600	$200–$280	$600–$800	$800–$1,100	$1,800–$2,500	$1,800–$2,500	$350–$450	$1,500–$2,000	$6,000–$9,000	$1,800–$2,200	$1,500–$1,900	$1,500–$2,000
Best for	The finest	Best value	Refined	Fine merino	Smart knit	Italian heritage	Cable	Classic cable	Rugged value	Scottish	Relaxed knit	Smart	Neapolitan knit	Value cashmere	Turtleneck	Rarest knit	Fashion knit	Fashion knit	Discreet
Key feature	Baby cashmere crewneck	Scottish cashmere crewneck	Cashmere roll neck	Sea Island-style fine merino crew	Cashmere knit polo	Cashmere crew	Cable cashmere	Cable-knit cashmere	Scottish lambswool crewneck	Cashmere crew	Relaxed cashmere	Cashmere cardigan	Cashmere crew	Mongolian cashmere crew	Cashmere turtleneck	Vicuña sweater	Fine cashmere cardigan	Cashmere sweater	Cashmere crew
Yarn	Baby cashmere	2-ply cashmere	Cashmere	Extra-fine merino	Oasi cashmere	Cashmere	Cashmere	Cashmere	Lambswool	Cashmere	Cashmere	Oasi cashmere	Cashmere	Cashmere	Cashmere	Vicuña	Cashmere	Cashmere	Cashmere
Weight	Light	Medium	Medium	Fine	Light	Medium	Heavy	Heavy	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Light	Medium	Light	Fine	Medium	Medium
Fit	Regular	Regular	Regular	Slim	Regular	Regular	Regular	Regular	Regular	Regular	Relaxed	Regular	Regular	Regular	Regular	Regular	Slim	Regular	Regular
Made in	Italy	Scotland	Italy	England	Italy	Italy	Italy	Italy	Scotland	Scotland	Italy	Italy	Italy	Varies by line	Italy	Italy	Italy	Italy	Italy
Where to buy	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link

Loro Piana · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crew Men

Baby cashmere crewneck.

Buy it if: you want the softest cashmere.
Skip it if: you want value.

Pros

Exceptional

Cons

Very pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Baby cashmere
Weight: Light
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Johnstons of Elgin · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men

Scottish cashmere crewneck.

Buy it if: you want great cashmere for less.
Skip it if: you want a fashion label.

Pros

Excellent value
Durable

Cons

Plain

Key specifications

Yarn: 2-ply cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Scotland

Read the full review

Brunello Cucinelli · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Roll Neck

Cashmere roll neck.

Buy it if: you want refined knitwear.
Skip it if: you want value.

Pros

Superb

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

John Smedley · Men’s cashmere knitwear

John Smedley Merino Crew

Sea Island-style fine merino crew.

Buy it if: you want fine knitwear that lasts.
Skip it if: you want cashmere.

Pros

Durable
Fine
Value

Cons

Not cashmere

Key specifications

Yarn: Extra-fine merino
Weight: Fine
Fit: Slim
Made in: England

Read the full review

Zegna · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Zegna Oasi Cashmere Polo Knit

Cashmere knit polo.

Buy it if: you want a smart knit polo.
Skip it if: you want casual.

Pros

Smart
Soft

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Oasi cashmere
Weight: Light
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Drumohr · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Drumohr Cashmere Crew

Cashmere crew.

Buy it if: you want heritage.
Skip it if: you want value.

Pros

Quality

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Brunello Cucinelli · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Brunello Cucinelli Cable Cashmere

Cable cashmere.

Buy it if: you want cozy.
Skip it if: you want fine.

Pros

Superb

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Heavy
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Ralph Lauren Purple Label · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Cable

Cable-knit cashmere.

Buy it if: you want classic American.
Skip it if: you want minimal.

Pros

Classic

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Heavy
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

William Lockie · Men’s cashmere knitwear

William Lockie Lambswool Crew

Scottish lambswool crewneck.

Buy it if: you want a tough knit for less.
Skip it if: you want soft cashmere.

Pros

Durable
Fair price

Cons

Scratchier

Key specifications

Yarn: Lambswool
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Scotland

Read the full review

Begg x Co · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Begg x Co Cashmere Crew

Cashmere crew.

Buy it if: you want Scottish.
Skip it if: you want status.

Pros

Quality

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Scotland

Read the full review

Massimo Alba · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Massimo Alba Cashmere Crew

Relaxed cashmere.

Buy it if: you want relaxed.
Skip it if: you want fitted.

Pros

Soft

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Relaxed
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Zegna · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Zegna Oasi Cashmere Cardigan

Cashmere cardigan.

Buy it if: you want smart.
Skip it if: you want casual.

Pros

Soft

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Oasi cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Kiton · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Kiton Cashmere Crew

Cashmere crew.

Buy it if: you want Kiton.
Skip it if: you want value.

Pros

Superb

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

N.Peal · Men’s cashmere knitwear

N.Peal Cashmere Crew

Mongolian cashmere crew.

Buy it if: you want value.
Skip it if: you want status.

Pros

Fair price

Cons

Thinner

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Light
Fit: Regular
Made in: Varies by line

Read the full review

Ralph Lauren Purple Label · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Turtleneck

Cashmere turtleneck.

Buy it if: you want refined.
Skip it if: you want casual.

Pros

Soft

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Loro Piana · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Loro Piana Vicuña Sweater

Vicuña sweater.

Buy it if: you want rarest.
Skip it if: you want value.

Pros

Exceptional

Cons

Extreme

Key specifications

Yarn: Vicuña
Weight: Light
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Tom Ford · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Tom Ford Cashmere Cardigan

Fine cashmere cardigan.

Buy it if: you want Tom Ford.
Skip it if: you want value.

Pros

Quality

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Fine
Fit: Slim
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Berluti · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Berluti Cashmere Sweater

Cashmere sweater.

Buy it if: you want Berluti.
Skip it if: you want value.

Pros

Soft

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Hermès · Men’s cashmere knitwear

Hermès Cashmere Sweater

Cashmere crew.

Buy it if: you want Hermès.
Skip it if: you want value.

Pros

Superb

Cons

Pricey

Key specifications

Yarn: Cashmere
Weight: Medium
Fit: Regular
Made in: Italy

Read the full review

Compare more Men’s cashmere knitwear on Amazon Paid link

The short answer

Cashmere and fine wool sweaters, cardigans and roll necks from Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, Zegna, Johnstons of Elgin, John Smedley, Ralph Lauren Purple Label and more. We researched 19 pieces and put each one in one of two piles: buy it, or skip it (with a few “consider” calls where it depends on you).

How the buy-or-skip call is made

We compare materials and construction, read the houses’ care and warranty terms, follow long-term owner experience and track the usual retail and resale prices. A piece earns “Buy” only if we would recommend it to a friend at that price. No house pays for a place on this list.

Check these before you buy

Ply: 2-ply and heavier knits last longer and keep shape; very thin single-ply cashmere pills fast.
Fit: knitwear should skim the body; too tight shows wear, too loose looks sloppy under a jacket.
Neck: crew necks are the most versatile; roll necks work under tailoring; quarter zips are casual.

Buyer tip

Buy in the January sales: knitwear is discounted heavily and classic colors (navy, gray, camel) are always there. Buying in Europe: Italian tailoring uses chest sizes such as IT 48 or 50 (about a US 38 or 40), while knitwear and outerwear use S–XL or IT sizes depending on the house. A European tailor can adjust sleeves and hems on any jacket. The full checklist is in our men’s cashmere knitwear buying guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which men’s cashmere knitwear should I buy in 2026?

Start with the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crew Men (baby cashmere crewneck). It usually sells for $1,800–$2,400.

Cashmere or merino?

Cashmere is softer and warmer for its weight; fine merino (such as John Smedley) is tougher, cooler and cheaper.

How do I stop cashmere pilling?

Long-fiber cashmere pills less. Rotate sweaters, wash rarely and use a cashmere comb.

What is the most affordable men’s cashmere knitwear worth buying?

The William Lockie Lambswool Crew, usually $200–$280. Read its skip-if line first so you know what you give up.

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

The best men’s cashmere knitwear, sorted into buy and skip

Which men’s cashmere knitwear should you buy in 2026? It depends on how you will wear it, your style and what you want to spend, so instead of one winner this list gives every piece a clear call and a one-line reason. 15 of the 19 pieces here earn a straight buy. Read the skip-if lines too: they save more money than the buy-if lines.

Every piece, one line each

Buy: Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crew Men ($1,800–$2,400). Baby cashmere crewneck. Buy it if you want the softest cashmere; skip it if you want value.

Buy: Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men ($400–$550). Scottish cashmere crewneck. Buy it if you want great cashmere for less; skip it if you want a fashion label.

Buy: Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Roll Neck ($1,800–$2,500). Cashmere roll neck. Buy it if you want refined knitwear; skip it if you want value.

Buy: John Smedley Merino Crew ($250–$320). Sea Island-style fine merino crew. Buy it if you want fine knitwear that lasts; skip it if you want cashmere.

Buy: Zegna Oasi Cashmere Polo Knit ($1,200–$1,600). Cashmere knit polo. Buy it if you want a smart knit polo; skip it if you want casual.

Buy: Drumohr Cashmere Crew ($700–$1,000). Cashmere crew. Buy it if you want heritage; skip it if you want value.

Buy: Brunello Cucinelli Cable Cashmere ($2,500–$3,500). Cable cashmere. Buy it if you want cozy; skip it if you want fine.

Buy: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Cable ($1,200–$1,600). Cable-knit cashmere. Buy it if you want classic American; skip it if you want minimal.

Buy: William Lockie Lambswool Crew ($200–$280). Scottish lambswool crewneck. Buy it if you want a tough knit for less; skip it if you want soft cashmere.

Buy: Begg x Co Cashmere Crew ($600–$800). Cashmere crew. Buy it if you want Scottish; skip it if you want status.

Buy: Massimo Alba Cashmere Crew ($800–$1,100). Relaxed cashmere. Buy it if you want relaxed; skip it if you want fitted.

Buy: Zegna Oasi Cashmere Cardigan ($1,800–$2,500). Cashmere cardigan. Buy it if you want smart; skip it if you want casual.

Buy: Kiton Cashmere Crew ($1,800–$2,500). Cashmere crew. Buy it if you want Kiton; skip it if you want value.

Buy: N.Peal Cashmere Crew ($350–$450). Mongolian cashmere crew. Buy it if you want value; skip it if you want status.

Buy: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Turtleneck ($1,500–$2,000). Cashmere turtleneck. Buy it if you want refined; skip it if you want casual.

Consider: Loro Piana Vicuña Sweater ($6,000–$9,000). Vicuña sweater. Buy it if you want rarest; skip it if you want value.

Consider: Tom Ford Cashmere Cardigan ($1,800–$2,200). Fine cashmere cardigan. Buy it if you want Tom Ford; skip it if you want value.

Consider: Berluti Cashmere Sweater ($1,500–$1,900). Cashmere sweater. Buy it if you want Berluti; skip it if you want value.

Consider: Hermès Cashmere Sweater ($1,500–$2,000). Cashmere crew. Buy it if you want Hermès; skip it if you want value.

How we sorted them

How we make the call: we read the house’s own product details and care guides, compare materials and construction, follow owners’ long-term experience and track the usual retail and resale prices. A piece gets “Buy” only if we would tell a friend to spend that money on it. No fashion house can pay for a verdict. Ply: 2-ply and heavier knits last longer and keep shape; very thin single-ply cashmere pills fast.

When to buy

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.

US and Europe

Buying in Europe: Italian tailoring uses chest sizes such as IT 48 or 50 (about a US 38 or 40), while knitwear and outerwear use S–XL or IT sizes depending on the house. A European tailor can adjust sleeves and hems on any jacket.

Buy in the January sales: knitwear is discounted heavily and classic colors (navy, gray, camel) are always there.