One of the Best Cashmere Sweaters for Women Is Only $50

There are few pieces of clothing as classic and timeless as a cashmere sweater. Well-made cashmere sweaters can last you years, even decades, which is convenient considering they never go out of style. Perfect worn to work with nice trousers or to the ballpark with leggings and a cap, a cashmere sweater is a staple and workhorse of any woman's closet.

But, as so often is with these must-have clothing pieces, cashmere can run pretty expensive. As a luxury fabric, the sourcing of true cashmere is a bit stringent, which results in a high-quality product that runs at equally high prices, in most cases. Fortunately, some brands have found ways to cut costs while still delivering top-notch cashmere to customers, meaning it's now possible to snag a coveted cashmere sweater for just $50.

We've rounded up the best cashmere sweaters for women on the market below, but you might want to do a bit of research before hitting "buy now."

How Do I Buy Good Quality Cashmere?

There are a two key factors that will tell you if cashmere is high-quality or not. You'll want to see where the cashmere was sourced and what grade it is.

Where the Best Cashmere is From

Without competition, the best cashmere is from Inner Mongolia. Cashmere sourced from here is typically long and strong thanks to the frigid temperatures in the region. Cashmere is made from goats and the goats in Inner Mongolia truly have the best hair for the cashmere fibers. Most of the sweaters on this list are sourced from Mongolia, with many being from Inner Mongolia.

Grade Quality

Cashmere can range in quality level from A-C, with A being the highest-quality. Grade A cashmere has the longest fibers, meaning those will be both the softest and most durable. Seeing as cashmere is a luxury fabric, we'd always advise spending a bit extra to be sure you're getting the highest quality as these sweaters are investment pieces and closet staples. Most sweaters on this list are Grade A quality.

How to Care for Cashmere Sweaters

So, you're ready to invest in your first cashmere sweater? Not so fast! You want to be sure you have the know-how on caring for this finicky fabric. Cashmere can get a bad wrap as an overly high maintenance fabric, but, while it does take a bit of extra care, it's worth putting the time and effort into in the long run. Caring for your cashmere will result in it lasting years at the very least, if not decades.

For starters, know that cashmere is going to pill. Grade A cashmere will pill the least, but you should always expect some from any cashmere sweater. A cashmere comb is an essential tool to have on hand. You could use a fabric shaver, but we prefer a comb seeing as how expensive these sweaters can run.

You will always want to hand-wash your cashmere sweater, and wash it as few times as possible. High-quality cashmere can hold it's shape for years, but every wash degrades the fibers in the slightest bit, so it's essential to be gentle. Also be sure you're using gentle detergent, preferably a detergent made for cashmere.

Finally, to avoid those dread moths, store your cashmere sweaters with cedar sheets or balls or moth balls. We prefer cedar as it won't give off the pungent smell of moth balls, but if you plan to do a pre-season wash of your cashmere then the smell might not be a problem for you.