The best places to buy cashmere, according to a fashion expert

best cashmere
The best places to shop for cashmereBoden, The White Company, Brora

Cashmere! Just the mere mention of the word sends me into a snuggly world of cosiness. And I’m not just talking jumpers. Think socks, trousers, hoodies, oversized wraps and even a dressing gown.

Yes, one of my favourite things I love to wear when I’m pottering around the house is my cashmere dressing gown. “You have more money than sense” was my mum’s reaction when I told her how much I spent on my cashmere robe (a luxurious, blow-the-budget treat to myself). When the kids go to bed, my sumptuous cashmere dressing gown comes out — I don’t want it being used as a dishcloth for sticky little fingers. At the end of a long, stressful day, when I finally get five minutes to myself, slipping on my blissfully soft cashmere robe is like receiving a warm hug, instantly taking me to my happy place. It’s one of the first things I pack in my suitcase for any trip — I take it everywhere from a weekend at my mum's (despite the ridicule) to my summer holiday (I hate the overzealous air conditioning in hotel rooms).

But is it worth the cost? If you’re looking for the ultimate feel-good luxury buy that you will love forever, absolutely! And talking of timeless investment pieces, is there anything better than a simple crew-neck cashmere sweater? I don’t believe there is. Soft on the skin, great for lounging, and elevated enough to dress up for after-dark, they’re a bonafide staple in my wardrobe.

Yes, cashmere is pricey and yes, it’s high maintenance (preventing moths from eating their 5-a-day thanks to your beloved cashmere collection is a full-time job), but you know what? Cashmere never loses its appeal — classic, yet always on trend.

Not sure where to shop? I chatted to Good Housekeeping's fashion team about our favourite cashmere brands and here is the shortlist of labels we genuinely love and are hanging in our very own wardrobes; plus, the gorgeous smelling moth repellent I’ve been recently testing.

Rise & Fall

I have spoken about my obsession with Rise & Fall before. Its cashmere feels modern and cool and the brand can’t restock its cashmere knitted hoods quickly enough. Every time I go to buy one, it’s out of-stock!

I also have this poppy bright blue roll neck on my wishlist (also available in a stunning tomato-red colour) which will fight-back against gloomy grey days.

Gobi

Fashion editor’s love Gobi Cashmere, especially the brand's luxurious and comfortable trousers. For lazy days and time spent working from home, they’re so cosy, you won’t want to take them off.

The White Company

A dreamy cashmere dressing gown from The White Company! Not for drying yourself after a shower, but for lounging in luxury – it’s the item you never knew you needed. Add it to your wishlist now, just don’t tell my mum!

ME+EM

I have this cashmere hoody in two colours (navy and grey, FYI). I wear them to my weekly Pilates class and on the school run and they make great travel companions on the plane, too. The pop of hood peeking over a blazer or trench always looks effortlessly cool. ME+EM also has a great sleeveless cashmere hoody that comes in 6 colours.

Marks & Spencer

It’s safe to say, everyone on the Good Housekeeping fashion team has an M&S cashmere sweater in her wardrobe. It’s the affordable choice as most of their 100% cashmere is under £100!

Boden

Bold, bright and playful… just what you’d expect from Boden. This is the place to go for standout cashmere sweaters.

John Lewis

Understated and always elegant, you simply can’t go wrong with a cashmere jumper from John Lewis.

Personally, I always love a grey cashmere knit. It feel modern and fresh, whatever you wear it with and whatever your age.

Chinti & Parker

I styled Dame Mary Berry in a Chinti & Parker cashmere jumper on Good Housekeeping’s Christmas front cover. She loved it so much — and I ended up buying it for myself as my forever chic, Christmas jumper.

I love their quirky designs, collaborations and cool co-ords in cheery, joyful colours. This pink cardigan is so bright and beautiful — and is a mix of wool and cashmere.

Brora

If your style heartland is more country charm than city cool, Brora should be your first port of call. Its Fair Isle jumpers are so on-trend (Claudia Winkleman wore a Brora cashmere Fair Isle jumper in The Traitors) and its heritage cardigans and folksy tanks are traditional but with a contemporary twist.

Jumper 1234

If like me, you have the classic black, grey and navy cashmere sweater covered, think about going bolder and brighter.

Stripes, bows, leopard, chevrons… Jumper 1234 has cute, colour combos that will make even the most humdrum days a shade more cheerful.

Preventing moths...

We all know moths bypass the polyester and head straight for our treasured, expensive cashmere.

For years my wardrobe has been littered with cedar blocks, conkers (mother-in-law’s old wives’ tale) and sticky moth-catching paper. But, I recently discovered Total Wardrobe Care, and I'm using its moth-repelling hanging sachets in my wardrobe. I have to say, they smell so good, my husband thought I’d sprayed a new perfume in our bedroom!

I also used the brand's Moth Box and Chrysanthemum Moth Spray and so far, so good. No pesky moths!

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