That's me! This pink Naadam style blew me away, and the hue is even more gorgeous in person. (Julia Webb/Yahoo)(Julia Webb/Yahoo Lifestyle)
Cashmere sweaters are a year-round closet staple. No, I'm not talking about the thick, bulky styles you save for the coldest winter days — I'm talking about the lightweight cashmere that's a base in the winter and an added layer in the fall and spring. Cashmere crewnecks are essential in my wardrobe. I wear them mainly with jeans, but you can also toss them on over dresses or pair them with a skirt — don't limit your favorite sweaters to just a few months!
With fall finally here, now is a great time to add a new sweater or two to your rotation. However, it's no secret that cashmere can be pricey, so I tested a few of the market's more affordable cashmere brands to see how they truly stack up. I compared three crewnecks from Naadam, Quince and State Cashmere — all are made of 100% Mongolian cashmere and retail for under $125. Keep reading to see which brand stands apart from the rest.
First up, I tried Naadam's The Original. This $98 sweater comes in the widest range of colors and sizes of the three I tested. Naadam suggests sizing up, as the sweater runs a bit small, but I found my normal size just right for a fitted look. However, if you prefer to layer your sweaters over tank tops or dresses, or wear them over your shoulders, you won't regret going for the next size up.
I ordered The Original in Pop Pink and couldn't get over how vivid the color was in person. While the hue I chose is sold out in a few sizes, the just-as-pretty Violet Pink is in stock in XXS-XXL.
As a person who always runs cold, I own an absurd number of sweaters. Quince's cashmere styles are my favorite and get a ton of wear. They're also so deliciously soft that they've caused people to pet me — no joke. I hugged a parent at one of my daughter's school events, and she almost immediately exclaimed, "OMG, your sweater is so soft" while she continued to rub my arm. Odd? Yes. But totally understandable because these sweaters are pretty amazing.
Unsurprisingly, thousands of shoppers rave about this piece and like me, have purchased it in multiple colors. "I love this sweater. It feels amazing and actually fits well," one person shared. "I love [these] sweaters! Since January, I have purchased eight ... and would like more!" another revealed.
If you have a bit more to spend, you won't regret this ultra-soft classic.
Next up, I tried Quince's $50 cashmere sweater, a social media favorite. At such a wallet-friendly price, I can understand some skepticism, but I'm happy to report that it lives up to the hype. Available in sizes XS-XL as well as plus sizes, Quince's popular sweater would traditionally retail for well over $100. But since the brand cuts out the middleman, it keeps prices low.
While this style wasn't as soft as the other sweaters I tried, it was still plush and cozy. I plan on wearing it with jeans all fall and tossing it on over my lighter pieces come springtime. Shop it in over 10 colors.
The third and final cashmere sweater I tried was from State Cashmere, and it was the softest of the three. While it wasn't the softest by a mile, in a blind test, it was the clear winner in terms of texture. However, it does retail for $120, making it the most expensive. Still, one benefit of this sweater being sold on Amazon is that it occasionally goes on sale — I snagged mine when it was marked down to $98.
If neutrals are your thing, you won't mind that State Cashmere's crewneck only comes in seven muted shades, including Bella Blue (what I tried), black, camel and white.
I liked each sweater and can see myself wearing them all, but Naadam's The Original edged out the competition. Well-priced and cozy, this sweater was the most flattering on me. It's also available in a wide range of colors and sizes, so pretty much everyone can find one to add to their closet. Plus, it's machine-washable — another big win in my book, since dry-cleaning bills aren't cheap.
Still, you can't go wrong bringing any of these sweaters home. All are staples you can wear season after season, year after year. In this case, it's true: Some things really never go out of style.
