Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men review: worth it or skip?

Buy8.7/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want great cashmere for less. Why: Scottish cashmere crewneck. The catch: plain.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated November 6, 2026 1 min read

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Our verdict on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men

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

Best for: Best value
Key feature: Scottish cashmere crewneck
Typical price: $400–$550

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

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

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you want great cashmere for less
value excellent value
can spend around $400–$550

Skip it if you

you want a fashion label
mind this: plain

Pros and cons

Pros

Excellent value
Durable

Cons

Plain

The verdict in one breath

The Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men is men’s cashmere knitwear we would point most people to. What earns it the buy: Scottish cashmere crewneck. In our list it is the pick for: best value.

Reasons to buy

Excellent value
Durable

Reasons to skip

Plain

The details that matter

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

Worth knowing

Mill direct.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want great cashmere for less. Skip it if you want a fashion label; the N.Peal Cashmere Crew is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best men’s cashmere knitwear.

Alternatives worth considering

N.Peal · Men’s cashmere knitwear

N.Peal Cashmere Crew

Buy it if you want value.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Value cashmere
Typical price: $350–$450

Pros

Fair price

Cons

Thinner

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

John Smedley · Men’s cashmere knitwear

John Smedley Merino Crew

Buy it if you want fine knitwear that lasts.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Fine merino
Typical price: $250–$320

Pros

Durable
Fine

Cons

Not cashmere

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men?

Buy it, if you want great cashmere for less. Why: Scottish cashmere crewneck. The catch: plain.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want a fashion label. The N.Peal Cashmere Crew is the better buy then.

What does the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men cost?

Usually $400–$550 in the US. Luxury houses raise prices often, so check the current price before you buy.

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

Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men worth the money? Short answer: buy it, if you want great cashmere for less. This review explains what this Johnstons of Elgin piece gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs and which men’s cashmere knitwear to buy instead if it is not right for you.

What the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Crew Men does well

The headline: Scottish cashmere crewneck. The details: Yarn: 2-ply cashmere; Weight: Medium; Fit: Regular; Made in: Scotland. In our list it is the pick for: best value. It usually sells for $400–$550 in the US.

Mill direct.

The trade-offs

Good: excellent value, durable. Not so good: plain. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you want a fashion label.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the N.Peal Cashmere Crew ($350–$450): mongolian cashmere crew. Better if you want value.

Instead, consider the John Smedley Merino Crew ($250–$320): sea Island-style fine merino crew. Better if you want fine knitwear that lasts.

Instead, consider the William Lockie Lambswool Crew ($200–$280): Scottish lambswool crewneck. Better if you want a tough knit for less.

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.

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.