Where to Shop for Premium High Quality Cashmere and Wool Knitwear
Find Better Alternatives to High Street & Designer Brands, Ethically Made and Built to Last. Discover the truth behind cheap cashmere and where to shop for truly premium knitwear.
You’ve seen it. That “100% Cashmere” tag for 149 CHF. Or wool jumpers for under 100 CHF, stacked by the dozen in retail stores.
And you’re not alone if your first thought is: “Wait, how is that possible?”
As much as I appreciate the fact that big brands are adding certified materials, claiming better sourcing, and offering natural fiber basics at accessible price points, the truth is: someone or something is always paying for your low price.
And usually, it’s a mix of all three: the animals, the workers, and you (in quality).
Let’s break this down.
Why Cheap Cashmere Isn’t the Steal You Think It Is
If a brand is selling a 100% cashmere sweater for under 150 CHF at scale, it’s almost always made from low-grade, short-staple fibers. That means:
- It pills excessively even when brand new
- It feels soft at first but wears down fast
- It’s often semi-transparent
- And it rarely lasts more than a few seasons
I recently reviewed the Coop City Cashmere Collection after several of you asked in the comments. And here’s what I found: while the sweaters are certified through the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (which is great), the quality still showed major signs of shortcutting like pilling everywhere, even straight off the hanger.
Now, pilling is normal for all woolen products to some extent. But this much, and it’s brand new, usually points to cheap fiber selection, rushed manufacturing, or both.
Why It Matters: Because This Isn’t Just About Aesthetics
Cashmere and wool are natural fibers. They’re breathable, temperature-regulating, biodegradable, and when sourced responsibly, actually good for your skin and body.
But when brands chase volume instead of quality, you end up with clothes that look worn out after a few wears, don’t hold their shape, and sit in your wardrobe like “regret purchases.”
So if you’re here because you want to dress better, buy less, and actually enjoy your clothes, then welcome.
What to Look for Instead
If you’re shopping for long-lasting, high-quality knitwear, here’s what to look for:
- Long-staple fibers: These create smoother, stronger yarns that resist pilling
- Small-batch production: Not rushed through machines that cut corners
- Ethical certifications: Think GOTS, OEKO-TEX, SFA, RWS (more on that below)
- Transparency: Know where it’s made, how, and by whom
You’re not just paying for the fiber, but you’re paying for time, skill, care, and traceability.
Let’s Talk About Wool (Because Not All Wool Is Equal)
Like cashmere, wool varies in quality and in ethics. One thing you’ll want to pay attention to is whether or not the wool is mulesing-free.
Mulesing is a painful procedure still used in some large-scale sheep farms (especially in Australia) to prevent flystrike. Ethical brands will state clearly that their wool is non-mulesed or RWS certified (Responsible Wool Standard), which ensures both animal welfare and environmental accountability.
Wool can be just as luxurious as cashmere when sourced properly, especially merino, baby alpaca, or yak wool, and can even outperform cashmere in terms of durability.
A Quick Note: Some Mid-Range Options that Are Still Better than Average
If you’re not quite ready to join The Collective, but you still want decent quality knitwear from mainstream retail in Switzerland, here are a few better-than-average picks:
These brands tend to use higher-grade cashmere and wool, offer better fits, and are more transparent about their supply chains compared to your usual mall brands.
Where to Shop for Premium Knitwear
The full list of 18+ ethical knitwear alternatives is reserved for members of my private shopping club. To protect the integrity of these ethical small brands and give members an unfair advantage when building their forever wardrobe…
Behind the paywall:
- Independent brands using Grade A cashmere and certified wool
- Brands that use low-impact dyes and production
- Direct links to premium knitwear under 500 CHF
Ready to be part of The Collective? Join here.
FAQs
Is cashmere always better than wool?
Not necessarily. High-quality merino, alpaca, or yak wool can be just as soft and longer-lasting, depending on fiber grade and processing.
How can I tell if cashmere is high quality?
Look for transparency around grade (Grade A is best), origin (Mongolia, Inner Mongolia), and certifications like OEKO-TEX or SFA. Also, feel the weight and density. Cheap cashmere is often very thin.
Why is cashmere so expensive?
It takes fiber from 3–5 goats to make one sweater. Add ethical sourcing, small-batch production, and certifications, and you’re paying for both material and fairness.
Do any affordable brands make good cashmere?
Some do. But “affordable” usually means compromise. The brands I recommend in the member area offer the best ratio of quality, ethics, and price I’ve found so far.