The Best Luxury Cashmere Brands Compared

First published: July 31, 2026
Man rests on a cream sofa wearing grey cashmere joggers and sweater
Cashmere is known to produce high-quality garments that look luxurious, feel soft, and keep you incredibly warm. This stylish fabric is one of those materials where the price can change dramatically depending on where you shop.  But why is the markup so different compared with other brands? Loro Piana, Johnstons of Elgin and N.Peal are renowned for producing expensive cashmere products, but at Rise & Fall, we take a different approach. We focus on the quality you can actually feel in the fibre, then remove the traditional markups that do nothing to improve the finished piece.

So, which cashmere brand is right for you?

Luxury Cashmere Brands Comparison

Each brand offers something different with its own styles, but like any well-known brand, the price markup is carried with its reputation. 

See below our price comparison for a crew-neck cashmere jumper:

Brand Known For  Price Position Best For
Loro Piana Italian prestige and exceptional refinement £800-£1,200 Those who value name, rarity and status
Johnstons of Elgin Scottish textile heritage and craftsmanship £525 - £750 Timeless designs and established expertise
N.Peal Classic British cashmere in a wide range of styles £300 - £450 Exceptional quality at a more honest price
Rise & Fall A-grade Mongolian cashmere without inflated markups £200 - £250 Exceptional quality at a more honest price


Loro Piana

Best For Italian Prestige

Loro Piana sits at the very top of the luxury market, especially when cost is considered. Its name is closely associated with rare fibres, understated design and beautifully refined finishing.

You are paying for good-quality cashmere, but also for Italian luxury heritage, exclusivity, and one of the most recognisable names in quiet luxury. For some, that is part of the pleasure of owning it; for others, it’s the same premium material at a high price. 

Johnstons of Elgin

Best For Scottish Heritage

Johnstons of Elgin is a Scottish producer of cashmere knitwear; it has been manufacturing with natural fibres since 1797. 

Their collections are traditional, offering thought-through designs and beautifully made pieces. This is cashmere for those who value the history of where and how a piece was made.

N.Peal

Best For Classic British Cashmere

N.Peal has specialised in cashmere since opening in 1936. Its strength lies in classic shapes from fine cashmere sweaters to scarves and its well-known James Bond collection.
The brand also places a strong focus on fibre sourcing and traceability from Mongolia through to the finished garment.

Rise & Fall

Best For Grade-A Mongolian Cashmere Without The Luxury Markup

At Rise & Fall, we start with the same question we ask of everything we make: what actually improves the product? For cashmere, that means better fibres, responsible sourcing, generous weights and skilled construction. 

As Susan Bailey-Ramaty, Wovens Designer at Rise & Fall, explains, “We knit exclusively with Grade-A cashmere, using only the finest fibres. We work tirelessly on wash levels, knit tensions and fabric construction to achieve the right balance between a beautifully soft handfeel and garment integrity. Our distinctive approach to colour is another important part of the collection, combining timeless classics with palettes unique to Rise & Fall.” 

Our yarns are certified to The Good Cashmere Standard, which sets requirements around goat welfare, environmental protection and working conditions across the supply chain. We also produce close to demand to avoid unnecessary overproduction often associated with traditional retail.

Most importantly, our prices are lower because we work directly with expert makers and keep the route between production and your wardrobe simple. You are paying for the fibre, the weight and the construction, rather than an expensive label or inflated retail markup.

How Rise & Fall Compares

Traditional luxury brands bring heritage, prestige and beautiful stores, but at a cost. Those things have value, but they also influence the price. Our model is simple. 

 Traditional Luxury Approach The Rise & Fall Approach
Large retail networks Sold directly to our customers
Extensive seasonal production Small, near just-in-time production runs
High marketing and retail costs More of the price invested in materials and making
A premium for heritage and status A price centred on the product itself
Fine cashmere with limited fibre detail 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere
Multiple agents and intermediaries Direct partnerships with expert makers

What Makes a Good Cashmere Brand?

A truly good cashmere brand will display more about its products than just a simple cashmere label. Before choosing a cashmere sweater or scarf, look at what the brand tells you about the piece itself. 

The Fibre

Fine, long cashmere fibres create a smoother yarn and help the garment retain its softness through wear.

The Weight

A fine-gauge knit and a substantial midweight sweater serve different purposes. Neither is automatically better, but the price should reflect the amount and quality of cashmere used.

The Finish

Cashmere should feel soft, but not suspiciously fluffy. Heavy brushing can create instant softness while bringing shorter fibres to the surface.

The Construction

Look at the neckline, cuffs and seams. A good quality piece will feel balanced and return to shape after wear.

The Design

The best cashmere is the cashmere you actually wear. A cashmere cardigan has little value if its colour, weight or shape never quite works with the rest of your wardrobe.

Sustainability

Look for clear information about sourcing, animal welfare and manufacturing. Industry standards such as The Good Cashmere Standard can provide independent reassurance.

Which Cashmere Brand Should You Choose?

Our view is simple. Heritage can be worth paying for and so can rarity and prestige. But when your priority is premium cashmere itself, you should not have to pay several times more to get a beautifully made piece.

Explore our women’s cashmere collection and men’s cashmere collection, including our well-made knitwear, sweaters and scarves.

The Best Cashmere Brands FAQs

1. Why is Rise & Fall cashmere less expensive?

We work directly with expert makers and produce closer to demand, reducing the retail, marketing and overproduction costs often built into traditional luxury prices. This means more of what you pay for goes into the quality of the cashmere and its construction, rather than the label.

2. Is more expensive cashmere always better?

Not always. A higher price may reflect better fibres and craftsmanship, but it may also include heritage, exclusivity and brand status. Look at the fibre quality, weight, construction and provenance as well as the label.

3. What cashmere does Rise & Fall use?

We use 100% A-grade Mongolian cashmere, selected for its long, fine fibres and lightweight warmth. With proper care, they will last many years.

Article Information

Author

Vicky Golding

Vicky Golding

Ecomm Content Strategist

Vicky is a seasoned content strategist with deep expertise in e-commerce. With years of experience working with premium brands, she brings a refined understanding of luxury apparel and bedding -championing quality, comfort and timeless design. Driven by a passion for connecting people with products that elevate daily life, she creates content that inspires, informs and builds lasting customer loyalty with the brands she works with.