Men’s cashmere knitwear

What decides it

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.

The pieces we would buy

Start with the Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crew Men: baby cashmere crewneck. The Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men is the better buy if you want great cashmere for less. Usual prices run from $200 to $9,000. See the full buy-or-skip list or the head-to-head Loro Piana Baby Cashmere Crew Men vs Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men.

Buying in the US and Europe

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.

Quick answers

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.

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.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.

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.