’Tis the season to get cosy, and I mean this in every sense of the word. For me (a summer person at heart), this time of year is all about beating the cold, so I look for fleecy PJs, warming soup recipes and clothes that are going to make stepping outside more bearable. With this in mind, I always reach for cashmere to keep the chill away. But the thing is, much like real leather items, pure cashmere rarely comes cheap. And I’m OK with this, because investing in great cashmere will never disappoint thanks to the cost per wear. So where do you buy the best ones? I’m forever searching every autumn/winter, and I believe I’ve found the brands that do the very best cashmere knits. 

The base to all great winter outfits, a cashmere jumper instantly makes any outfit look luxe, put together and effortless. Want to stay even warmer? Take note from street stylers and do the double knit trick – it’s best to get two jumpers in the same colour and tie one around your shoulders or layer over your coat to be equal parts stylish and cosy. 

When it comes to knowing what style to buy, classic is always best. Look for crew neck versions, roll necks and other timeless cuts that won’t date. This way they’ll be worth the extra spend. And my final tip is to never ignore the men’s section: this is where some of the best cosy cashmere knits hang out. It’s all about that slouchy, slightly oversized fit, so if you head to the men’s section you most likely won’t need to size up. 

Fortunately, the high street has some of the best cashmere knits around, with M&S, Cos, Uniqlo and Jigsaw among my firm favourites. 

Below, I’ve rounded up three of my favourite brands to go to for cashmere, and they’ll suit all budgets. 

Images: Getty; courtesy of brands