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Cashmere is a staple in our sustainable capsule wardrobes. These are our favorite brands for shopping cashmere sweaters that are thoughtfully made and perfect for layering in different seasons.

For chilly evenings and crisp mornings, cashmere sweaters are a classy and versatile staple in our wardrobes. This soft, luxe fabric comes from the soft undercoat of goats, typically from the Gobi Desert. Mongolia is the world’s largest producer of cashmere from sustainably herded goats, though regions in northern China, Nepal, India, Iran, and Afghanistan also produce cashmere fibers. Cashmere collection is tedious as the wool comes from the inner coat of goats, which only shed in spring and must be harvested by hand. This is why cashmere tends to be pricey and why questions arise as to how ethical the fabric really is.

Can cashmere be ethical?

Unlike regular cashmere, which can harm the environment through goat overgrazing and unsustainable farming practices, sustainable cashmere uses stringent animal welfare standards to ensure ethical treatment, including nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and mental well-being. Rotational grazing is also used to prevent land overuse and support the long-term health of local ecosystems. Sustainable cashmere brands also commit to fair labor practices for herders, helping improve livelihoods in the communities where cashmere is sourced. These factors and more make it well worthwhile to invest in cashmere from brands that commit to sustainable practices throughout their supply chain.

As for the cashmere itself, the fiber is incredibly soft (softer than traditional wool) and known for being lightweight yet warm, breathable, and durable. It’s a great investment because it’s not only gentle on your skin but, when sourced sustainably, gentle on the planet too. To shop this natural, biodegradable material in a more sustainable and ethical way, many brands opt to use recycled cashmere (we’ve got some for you below), or you can thrift it. For a vegan alternative, look for clothing made with TENCEL (great for temperature regulation) or hemp (breathable and biodegradable). 

Fortunately, we’ve made it easy to source the best sustainable cashmere, as each brand we’ve selected champions sustainability and ethical cashmere production in ways that respect animals, herders, and the land.

Sustainable and ethical cashmere certification to look for:

• The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS): Ensures cashmere is sourced from farms that meet strict animal welfare, environmental, and social criteria.
• SFA Cashmere Standard (Sustainable Fiber Alliance): Focuses on sustainable herding practices, biodiversity protection, and fair livelihoods for herders.
• Fair Trade Certified: Guarantees that workers and herders are paid fairly and work in safe conditions while supporting community development.
• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: Certifies that finished cashmere products are tested for harmful substances, ensuring they’re safe for human health.
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Applies when organic fibers (like organic cotton blended with cashmere) are used, ensuring strict environmental and social responsibility throughout production.
• Cradle to Cradle Certified®: Evaluates products for material health, renewable energy use, and social fairness, relevant for brands integrating circular design principles in cashmere production.

To complement your cashmere sweater, check out our favorite ethical denim brands, fair trade coats, and sustainably made boots for fall. 🍁

Best for striped cashmere: Reformation

A leader in conscious and sustainable fashion, Reformation has taken the cashmere game to a new level. The LA-based brand offers an especially chic selection of mocknecks, turtleneck tanks, cardigans, and women’s sweaters crafted mostly from recycled cashmere. We love how Reformation is transparent about the materials it uses and consistently works to source lower-impact fabrics. The collection feels polished without being overly precious, with classic silhouettes alongside playful stripes, color blocks, and seasonal hues that make these pieces easy to wear year after year. It’s one of our favorite places to find trendy, sustainable cashmere sweaters that feel just as at home layered over a dress as they do with jeans for cooler temps and transitional seasons.

Best for cashmere wrap sweaters: Cuyana

Cuyana is the standard for sustainable elegance, with responsibly sourced leather and luxurious cashmere. For the woman on the go, Cuyana offers capsule favorites of the highest quality, including cashmere sweaters, wraps, and turtlenecks. The crewneck sweaters and wraps are our top choice for layering, especially if your body temperature fluctuates between hot and cold. Ethically sourced from Inner Mongolia and sewn in Italy, these cashmere pieces are certified by the Responsible Cashmere Standard and are available internationally. Locally-made but loved universally.

Our Editor’s Review | “Made from 100% traceable, sustainable Italian cashmere, it’s incredibly soft and feather-light, yet still extremely cozy. I adore the fit of this sweater! It features a slightly cropped, high-low hemline that I can wear with jeans or trousers and immediately feel not only more elevated but also effortlessly put together.” – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor at The Good Trade [Read the full review.]

Best for cashmere cardigans: White & Warren

White & Warren is where we look for the cashmere cardigan you buy once and wear forever. The brand’s Mongolian cashmere is exceptionally soft, and its collection leans into timeless silhouettes that never really leave your wardrobe rotation: classic button-front cardigans, relaxed V-necks, crewnecks, and elegant wraps. These are investment pieces in the truest sense—beautiful enough to feel special, but practical enough for everyday wear. With the right care, a great cashmere sweater can stay in your wardrobe for years, and White & Warren’s understated designs are made to be loved well beyond a single season.

Our Editor’s Review | “White & Warren’s bestselling crewneck cardigan is an absolute staple in my wardrobe. It’s incredibly soft and flattering, even as my body has changed during pregnancy and postpartum. It’s the most classic sweater you can ask for and, even though I live in a warmer climate, I find myself reaching for it year-round as the perfect layering piece.” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade

Best for affordable cashmere sweaters: Quince

Quince is a Good Trade favorite for high-quality, sustainable basics at affordable price points, and its cashmere line is no exception. From hats to dresses, you can deck yourself in soft, sustainable cashmere for the cooler months. Cozy up in your responsibly made cashmere sweater, confident it was produced ethically with grade A cashmere straight from goats in Inner Mongolia.

Our Editor’s Review | “Outside of my newborn’s skin, this lightweight sweater might be the softest thing I’ve ever touched. Although it took me a while to figure out how to wear the wrap—it’s designed to go in front instead of the back—once I did, I fell in love with the waist-accentuating front detail while the back stays loose. You can also take the belt off and wear it as an open cardigan.” – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor at The Good Trade [Read our full review.]

Best for cable knit cashmere sweaters: Jenni Kayne

For soft, lightweight, luxurious cashmere sweaters, you can’t beat Jenni Kayne. Made with undyed cashmere from China and GRS-certified recycled cashmere, the brand’s sweaters have that easy, lived-in feel that makes cashmere so special. The collection includes everything from classic crewnecks and V-necks to cable knits, cardigans, and chunky turtlenecks, all in Jenni Kayne’s signature mix of warm neutrals and understated colors. They’re the kind of sweaters you can throw on with jeans for a weekend coffee run or layer over a dress when the temperature drops.

Our Editor’s Review | “There’s just something about a half-zip done in 100% cashmere. It’s perfectly boxy, has a quality YKK zipper, and is so, so soft. I had to remind myself not to sleep in it.” – Ashley D’Arcy, Senior Editor at The Good Trade [Read the full review.]

Best for colorful cashmere sweaters: NAADAM

Sustainability is always in season with NAADAM, a socially conscious brand bringing you cashmere sourced straight from the Mongolian Gobi Desert. This brand responsibly hand-combs its goats for the softest cashmere around. In addition to being mindful of animal welfare, NAADAM pays fair wages to herders and gives back to the local community. These famously affordable sweaters are available worldwide, so you can stock up and experience how cozy NAADAM sweaters are, no matter where you live.

Our Editor’s Review | “Cashmere-enthusiasts, NADAAM is it for the thickest, softest, best-made cashmere on the market.“ – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor at The Good Trade [Read the full review.]