The best cashmere brands buy long, fine fibre, spin and knit it densely and finish it well. For cashmere itself, the London house N.Peal is our first recommendation; for Italian tailoring alongside the knitwear, Brunello Cucinelli; for an architectural cut, The Row. Shop them all in designer knitwear at Coveti.
1. N.Peal
A London cashmere specialist since 1936, with its flagship in the Burlington Arcade. It traces its fibre to herders in Inner Mongolia and makes much of the women's line in organic cashmere. Best for classic jumpers, cardigans and fur-trimmed knitwear. Start with the Evie Classic Round Neck Cashmere Jumper in New Ivory White.
2. Brunello Cucinelli
The Italian house from Solomeo, known for cashmere in soft neutrals with tailoring to match. Best for knitwear worn with suiting.
3. The Row
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's New York label. Best for minimal, architectural knits in thick yarns.
4. Khaite
Catherine Holstein's New York label, known for oversized cashmere jumpers with strong shoulders.
5. Max Mara
The Italian coat house knits cashmere to wear under its camel coats. Best for tonal camel dressing. See our Max Mara knitwear guide.
6. Toteme
The Stockholm label for clean Scandinavian knitwear and long cardigans at a slightly lower price.
How we chose
We looked at fibre source, knit density, finish and how the pieces wear after a season. We did not rank on price alone.
Which brand for which buyer
| If you want | Choose |
|---|---|
| Classic cashmere from a specialist | N.Peal |
| Cashmere with Italian tailoring | Brunello Cucinelli |
| Minimal, sculptural knits | The Row |
| Oversized statement jumpers | Khaite |
| Knitwear for camel coats | Max Mara |
| Scandinavian simplicity | Toteme |
What separates the best cashmere
- Fibre: long, fine fibre from Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. See Mongolian cashmere explained.
- Spinning: tightly spun yarn holds its fibres and pills less.
- Knitting: a dense knit keeps its shape and its warmth.
- Finishing: washing and brushing give the soft handle without weakening the yarn.
- Design: proportions that keep a jumper wearable for years.
Specialists vs fashion houses
A cashmere specialist such as N.Peal builds its business around the fibre and keeps classic shapes in the collection season after season, so you can replace a favourite jumper in the same colour. A fashion house such as Khaite designs cashmere as part of a seasonal look, with more dramatic shapes that change each year. Many wardrobes need both: specialist basics and one designer statement.
The pieces to start with
- A fine roll neck from a specialist, such as the Luna Roll Neck Cashmere Jumper in Black.
- A cropped cardigan, such as the Ivy Cropped Cashmere Cardigan in New Ivory White.
- One heavy cable knit, such as the Adelyn Cable Roll Cashmere Jumper in Cashew Brown.
- One statement knit from a designer label.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cashmere brand?
For cashmere itself, N.Peal is a specialist with a long history and traceable Inner Mongolian fibre. Brunello Cucinelli and The Row lead on design and tailoring.
What are the best British cashmere brands?
N.Peal is London's best-known cashmere house, founded in the Burlington Arcade in 1936.
Is N.Peal better than Brunello Cucinelli?
They do different things. N.Peal focuses on cashmere knitwear at a lower price; Brunello Cucinelli pairs cashmere with Italian tailoring at a higher price.
How can you tell good cashmere?
Look for a dense knit, ribbing that springs back and a soft, not slippery, surface. See our guide to Mongolian cashmere.
Read next: Is N.Peal a luxury brand?, Mongolian cashmere, The best cashmere jumpers for women.
By Gemma Deeks, Coveti Fashion Editor. Updated 19 October 2026.
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