If you're not aware of the lore behind the direct-to-consumer cashmere industry, let me tell you: it's not all warm and fuzzy. When I tested over a dozen crewnecks and cardigans to find the best cashmere sweaters, I ranked Naadam and Quince among my favorites. But you've got to brace for conflict when your two favorites are against each other, because all's fair in love and capitalism.
Pointed ads from Quince, with captions such as "Like Naadam, without the price tag," provoked Naadam's social media manager to clap back with a playful campaign of memes on Instagram. Quince, to my disappointment, chose not to engage. This ended the feud with barely a wisp of smoke.
A need for closure compelled me into trying one cashmere crewneck from each brand. May the best sweater win, I say.
In one corner we have Quince, a San Francisco-based direct-to-consumer apparel and home goods company best known for offering luxury fabrics at competitive prices. Its affordable cashmere collection also includes skirts, dresses, sweatpants, and cozy beanies.
Over on the East Coast we have Naadam, AKA "the world's fairest cashmere," whose original claim to fame was the $75 Cashmere sweater (which was raised to $98 in about October of 2023). Cashmere is Naadam's primary specialty, and they offer different tiers that go from premium to luxe.
It took a few days of consistent wear and a close inspection of their materials before I ultimately declared Naadam my first choice. Quince's sweater just didn't have the same brushed softness. Even a year later, Naadam proved to be the winner.
Quince's Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
A bestseller of the brand, this $50 cashmere crewneck is surprisingly soft for what it costs. We like that it's thin enough to layer with while still keeping us insulated.
The super soft Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater feels more expensive than it is, and it's obvious why it's such a hit. Still, I could feel that it's slightly thinner than Naadam's.
Of course, the price tag on Quince's 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere is attractive when you see practically identical these sweaters are. The patterns are the exact same (unless I'm really nitpicking — Quince's neckline is bound with a seam that looks slightly more unfinished and liable to fray). But the quality is there and consistent with other pieces I tried for our Quince cashmere review.
See more details on the men's and extended size fits in our Quince men's clothing review and Quince plus-size review.
Naadam's Original Cashmere Sweater
A luxury crewneck that's priced accessibly and goes with everything. It's made from Grade-A cashmere that's so light and soft, you can even sleep in it.
I found Naadam's Original Cashmere Sweater to be a tiny bit thicker, especially around the collar. It's also slightly softer, yet still just as lightweight as the Quince version. Naadam also has a leg up with more inclusive sizing and color variety. Plus, you can get it monogrammed for an additional $20. You can learn more about its pricing in our full Naadam cashmere sweater review.
The only difference in construction from Quince's sweater is Naadam's seamless collar that's slightly thicker. They use the exact same knit pattern inside and out. Both size small cashmere sweaters fit my 5-foot-9 frame true to size and pilled after a few days of consistent wear.
How do they hold up after a year of wear?
Over the past year, my Naadam cashmere sweater has gotten a lot more play simply because it's the softer option. Both sweaters pill about the same, but that's easily remedied with a cashmere comb. After washing and air drying them both, I still feel like the Quince sweater is slightly thinner and thus more prone to wrinkling. Yet the structural integrity has maintained itself pretty well, and neither sweater has grown lumpy the way some cotton ones do after a while. I now wear a gray Naadam cashmere sweater in addition to my navy one, and it's the perfect top layer to keep in my desk drawer for when the office gets drafty.
Which brand is more sustainable?
It's practically impossible for me to suss out who's out-greenwashing who here because I live at the end of the supply chain where those details are obscured. It's worth nothing that both brands both scored a "Not Good Enough" via Good On You's rating system. However, if you look at the general transparency between Naadam and Quince, Naadam is more forthright about its manufacturing process.
The bottom line
Unsurprisingly, Naadam's more expensive sweater feels better. But honestly, there's not much of a visible difference in quality over Quince one. I recommend Naadam first because they've got the superior product, they're more experienced in cashmere production, and they're more upfront about their supply chain.
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