Even speaking the phrase "cashmere lounge set" feels overly indulgent. But I've discovered these soft cozy matching knits have a practical purpose, too. When I leave the gym after a shower and step out in the cold with wet hair (sorry Mom), a cashmere lounge set will warm my whole body unlike any sweatsuit I own.
I'll also point out that they're perfect active winter days. New York City just had its largest blizzard in five years, so all week I've been living in full cashmere ensembles. I worked up a sweat shoveling, but the moisture-wicking fibers kept me dry and comfortable.
For over two years I've tested the best cashmere sweaters for softness, aesthetic quality, fit, shape retention, and whether they pill too quickly after washing. My collection ranges from $495 Guest in Residence cardigans to $50 Quince crewnecks, though I tell most people to start at Naadam for $98.
If you're still not convinced a cashmere lounge set is worth the splurge, let me remind you how effortlessly chic they are. You can quite literally roll out of bed and meet up with friends without changing (and I have!). Below you'll find dozen of my favorite cashmere lounge sets to wear until spring — stay cozy out there.
Guest In Residence Everywear Cardigan and Pant
Gigi Hadid's cashmere brand is notoriously expensive, but the material quality is there. When I first tried a Guest In Residence sweater, I was overall pleased with its smooth softness, though there were some imperfect construction details that made me question whether it's worth the price. The 100% cashmere Everywear Pants gave me the same issue.
I loved the button placket detail, which gives them a little masculine flair. However, the waistband is made with a flimsy elastic that twists, rolls, and shifts inside the casing. I especially needed it to be sturdy because these pants had to be rolled up so they wouldn't drag on the floor (the inseam runs very long, even on my 5-foot-9 frame). For $545 a pair, I was expecting a better waistband.
As for the Everywear cardigan, it has a deep V neckline that requires a tank underneath in order to wear out. It's a lovely cardigan otherwise, but this made it less versatile as some of the other cashmere sweatsuits I tested.
This is the cashmere lounge set for you if you overheat easily, as the 100% cashmere feels super lightweight and has a nice, relaxed drape. Each piece has an oversized fit that allows air to pass through so I could crank the thermostat and still feel comfortable. Go for the Almond color if you want to look like a life-size gingerbread man.
Read more in our full Guest In Residence review.
Tuckernuck Cashmere Cassidy Polo Sweater and Jane Pant
Tuckernuck is our style editors' favorite source for preppy women's workwear. I was surprised to find that its in-house cashmere is actually pretty good, too. The notched collar on the Cassidy Polo gives this set the potential to be dressed up with a dress coat and bold jewelry — or you could wear this set like pajamas as I did.
That's one thing I've learned by testing cashmere lounge sets — the more structured the details, the easier it is to pass as an actual outfit. I like how this cashmere sweater has ribbed hems so it gathers naturally at my hips and adds dimension to the silhouette.
The light beige Sandstone fabric is thin with a soft, fuzzy halo. I noticed the seams — especially in the armpit areas — aren't very reinforced, so be very gentle when handwashing Tuckernuck cashmere. You can also add a monogram for an extra $15.
Lilysilk Ribbed Cashmere Polo and Wide-Leg Pant
This Lilysilk cashmere lounge set is the warmest ensemble I tested. It's made with a thick, heavyweight knit that kept me warm and dry as I shoveled snow in 10-degree weather. Cashmere has a special knack of wicking away sweat on active winter days, so it has a practical use, too.
I've worn the Ribbed Cashmere Polo Sweater on its own when I go to work in the Financial District, and it keeps me warm in my drafty corner of the office. Once I'm home, I change out of my trousers and into the Royal Wide-Leg Pants, which have a comfortable stretchy waistband that you can adjust with the drawstrings.
It's a little too thick to travel in, as airplane cabins can get stuffy. Nevertheless, it has a cozy elegance that I love to throw on before I step out to get a beverage and treat at the corner café.
Naadam Signature Cashmere Boxy Cardigan and Jogger
We're at the point in the season where Naadam has cashmere on clearance, which is lucky if you're shopping luxe gifts for her on a budget. Their Straight-Leg Pant has sold out, but you can still find a great pair of Cashmere Joggers to go with a Boxy Cardigan. I'm more into wide-leg styles, but the benefit of our favorite joggers is that you can easily tuck them into your winter boots on a snowy day.
Naadam is the best entry-level cashmere brand I recommend to both my friends and my readers. It's accessibly priced, baby soft, and doesn't turn lumpy after one wash. I'll even wear my Cashmere Crewneck as a base layer on winter hikes. Naadam also offers some of the best color variety and size inclusivity (up to a 3X) out of any cashmere brand I've tested.
See more in my Naadam vs Quince cashmere review.
Find Me Now Cashmere Wool Stripe Set
This is the cashmere lounge set that inspired me to write this guide in the first place — I saw it while scrolling on Instagram, and it actually lived up to my expectations. New York-based label Find Me Now makes this recycled wool-cashmere set in three colorways. They're marked by their two stripes, which gives them a sporty, retro feel. The pieces are lightweight, soft, and as you can see above, very photogenic.
I must laud the styling versatility of each piece because I tried the cardigan, wide-leg pants, and mini shorts. You can dress like a main character with some black tights and knee-high boots, or go casual mode with Sambas-inspired sneakers and a baseball cap. The patch pockets are comically small, but a cute detail anyway.
The sizing varies: I'm usually a Small in tops, but the Medium fit me perfectly, so I suggest you size up for the cardigan. The size Small shorts were a little tight around my 38-inch hips, while the pants were a little short though otherwise fit me true to size.
White & Warren Cashmere Easy Sweatshirt and Wide-Leg Pant
White & Warren's luxury cashmere has been around for decades. It excels at taking classic silhouettes and elevating them with premium textiles. This Cashmere Easy Sweatshirt and Wide-Leg Pant combo is a solid option if you prefer simple designs, but I must also call attention to the brand's Clubhouse collection — it contains retro-inspired half-zips and striped shorts that I can't wait to cop once it's warmer out.
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan and Sweatpants
The first thing to keep in mind about Quince's affordable cashmere is that it runs small, so size up if you're unsure which way to lean. In terms of quality, I'm of two minds about Quince cashmere lounge sets: the fabric is acceptable considering the cost, but it's not my first choice for softness. I'm more interested in the pace that Quince drops new designs, which is almost weekly.
This cozy set is made from a lightweight 12-gauge cashmere. The fitted Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan has delicate shell buttons, while the cuffed Mongolian Cashmere Sweatpants are more casual-coded. The pants are special because they come with actual pockets (a rare feature amid the best cashmere lounge sets).
Sporty and Rich SRC Cashmere Polo and Trousers
If Brochu Walker is quiet luxury, then a lifestyle brand called "Sporty & Rich" must be the opposite. This 70% cashmere, 30% wool vintage-inspired lounge set features the embroidered "SRC" (Sporty Rich Club) logo. The preppy Cashmere Polo has a relaxed fit, while the Cashmere Trousers have a slim-straight fit.
Folks with lanolin allergies should skip the wool blends or else risk feeling itchy. However, I've learned a touch of wool can add weight and help knitwear retain its shape better.
Gobi Cashmere Ajour Knit Cashmere Cardigan and Wide-Leg Pants
Gobi Cashmere stands out for being transparent on how it sources its materials and being conscious of the environment in its manufacturing processes. This Open-Front Cardigan and Wide-Leg Pants are made without chemical dyes, thereby using less water and cutting carbon emissions. The 100% cashmere set is knit with a pattern called Ajour (French for "to the day"), which is uniquely geometric and allows for better breathability.
Brochu Walker Danner Cardigan and Isben Pant
Hello, quiet luxury. The muted beige tone of this 70% wool, 30% cashmere blend knit set really pops against a cozy background of low lighting and the faint whistle of a tea kettle. If your style leans more feminine, the blouson sleeves of the Danner Cardigan will be right up your alley. The cropped Isben Pants have a high-rise elastic waistband and convenient slant pockets. Together, the silhouette is relaxed yet sophisticated enough to fit in at brunch.
Reformation Cashmere Meritt Turtleneck and Lyle Pants
Reformation makes this luxurious cashmere lounge set with 95% recycled cashmere, so you can relax in style knowing you're helping slow the pile-up of fast fashion in our landfills. The fine-gauge knit is smooth and lightweight, creating an effortlessly chic draping effect. Both the Meritt Turtleneck and Lyle Pants have a roomy fit, and the low saturation knit creates the perfect muted backdrop for your jewelry and leather handbag.
ATM Cotton Cashmere and Wide-Leg Pull On Pant
This lounge set by Anthony Thomas Melillo is the main outlier of this guide, since it's actually made of mostly cotton. Cotton can't compare to cashmere's insulation abilities. In fact, it traps moisture and can cool your sweat on your skin, making you feel colder than the air outside. However, this lightweight blend is made with just a touch of cashmere to add structure and softness. That means you can wear the (now discounted) Ribbed Cardigan and flared Pull On Pants well after the ground has thawed and into the spring.
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