If you’re looking for quality knitwear, cashmere is the gold standard. For those who haven’t yet tried it, you’re missing out. This premium material is renowned for its softness, durability and thermo-regulating properties. It’s perfect for facing the cold weather in style, and while prices are high, we think arming yourself with at least one piece for the winter season is a worthwhile investment.

Cashmere knitwear comes in many forms, from luxurious tailored overcoats to relatively affordable accessories, simple crew neck knits to beautiful zip-through bomber jackets. This broad spectrum means there’s no excuse not to treat yourself to some of this high-end knitwear, especially if you buy second-hand or hit the sales to snag a bargain.

Thinking about adding some cashmere to your winter knitwear rotation? You won’t regret it. Here are nine of our favourite options to consider as the cold weather takes hold.

Crew Neck Sweater

The humble crew-neck sweater is hard to fault. The term ‘essential’ is thrown around a lot, but few would argue that this isn’t one of the handful of garments truly deserving of the title. It’s a layering staple, a low-profile insulating layer, and its beauty lies in its ability to be worn with anything from tracksuit bottoms to tailoring.

Choosing cashmere over a cheaper alternative elevates this simple piece to new heights, adding a touch of refinement to even the most basic outfits. Go for one in a neutral colour for even greater versatility.

Cardigan

A cashmere cardigan is another excellent layering piece that’s versatile enough to wear through the winter and beyond. You can pop it over a fitted white tee on mild days or use it as an insulating mid-layer paired with a big coat when the temperature takes a nosedive. Unlike a crew neck, you also have the option to wear it open for ventilation.

There are a few different ways to go here. Firstly, you could keep it classic with a V-neck style – always a good option. Or, if you want to take a more trend-led approach, you could opt for a crew-neck cardigan. These are essentially crew-neck sweaters with a button front, and they’re having a bit of a moment right now.

Lastly, a shawl-collar cardi offers a cosier, winter-ready look that works well with smart-casual outfits.

Scarf

You don’t have to cast yourself into financial ruin to own a piece of cashmere knitwear. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that the cheapest cashmere knit you can get is also the most versatile.

For those who want value for money, a cashmere scarf gives you the most bang for your buck. This is a way to wear a cashmere piece with anything and everything, from your thrown-together errand-running looks to your fanciest tailored outfits.

Go for black, grey or beige to get the most out of it.

Zip-Through

A cashmere zip-through top is an excellent alternative to a cardigan for those who want the functionality and versatility but prefer a slightly more modern look. There are lots of variations out there, but a cashmere bomber is always a good option, as it allows for easy layering and pairs well with just about anything.

In our experience, knitwear often sits relatively tight around the bottom due to the ribbed hem. To tailor the fit and avoid fabric bunching up awkwardly around the zip when sitting down, we’d advise looking for something with a two-way zipper.

Roll Neck

A roll-neck sweater is perhaps the ultimate winter warmer. Cosier than a standard crew neck with its extended collar, it’s perfect for layering up and looks great in place of a shirt with tailored outfits to nail party season dressing.

A fine-gauge cashmere version is great as it’s supremely warm, but it fits close to the body for a low-profile silhouette that can be easily layered on top of without adding much bulk.

Hoodie

When you think of a hoodie, you probably think of cotton. But there are other, more luxurious ways to approach this off-duty staple to give it a tactile upgrade. Perhaps the most obvious is to go down the cashmere route.

This elevated take on a sportswear classic is great for lounging around in comfort during the colder weather. It’s not the type of garment you’ll be teaming up with tailoring, but if you’re looking to add a luxurious edge to your casual, everyday wardrobe, a cashmere hoodie ticks all the boxes.

Overcoat

If money is no object, a cashmere overcoat is the way to go. It’s not going to be cheap, but it’s a piece of outerwear you’ll likely have for life, and if you buy the right one you’ll be surprised at just how much wear you can get out of it.

You might think tailored coats are just for throwing on over suits. It’s true, you can do that, but there’s a lot more you can do with this type of outerwear if you think outside the box. We’d argue there aren’t many things you can’t throw a good cashmere overcoat on top of with wearable results.

Anything from jeans to joggers can work, enabling you to add a bit of refinement to even the most sloppy of get-ups.

Beanie

Much like a scarf, a beanie offers an accessible route into high-end knitwear. Cashmere is an excellent insulator, so it’s the perfect material to cover your dome when temperatures drop.

Go for navy, grey or neutrals for maximum wardrobe compatibility or add a pop of colour to any outfit with something a bit more vibrant.

Long-Sleeve Polo

A knitted polo is a great tool for dressing casual looks up and bringing tailored outfits down to earth. Make it cashmere and you’re onto a winner.

Try wearing it with jeans and sneakers instead of a tee or with a blazer and wool pants instead of a shirt.