These 17 Cashmere Scarves Are an Effortless Luxury Accessory | Marie Claire

This effortless accessory whispers quiet luxury.

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When was the last time you invested in a genuinely covetable accessory, the kind so luxurious you never want to part with it? If the answer is "never," this is the time to pick up a cashmere scarf—a rich-looking yet attainable luxury that also serves as a practical winter accessory. They add warmth (the fabric derives from Kashmir goats—built to survive the coldest climates) and can instantly add an elevated layer to any cold-weather outfit.

While your weather may not be nearly as cold as the negative 30-degree Himalayas, cashmere scarves are a great investment that easily transitions between your indoor and outdoor wardrobe alongside lightweight sweaters and heavier winter sweaters. Pair them alongside turtlenecks and jeans or an oversized sweater and slip skirt for added depth. In the depths of winter, it adds a bit of sophistication to sporty utilitarian pieces like puffer jackets.

Ahead, the best cashmere scarves that offer a low-stakes, high-reward addition to your cold-weather outfits.

Best Overall Cashmere Scarf

Crafted in Italy from start to finish and woven from 90 percent recycled cashmere, this Cuyana scarf is a winter purchase you'll feel good about making—and one that will last you for seasons to come, too. Experiment with different looks by wrapping this oversized style loosely around your shoulders as a luxe wrap, double-looping it around your neck, or tying it into one front-and-center knot—feel free to get creative.

Composition: 90 percent recycled cashmere, 10 percent virgin cashmere

Number of Colors: One

Best Affordable Cashmere Scarf

Authentic, locally-made Mongolian cashmere for only $50? It’s not a dream. This affordable and sustainable cashmere brand offers a heathered brown scarf made from wool sourced from goats in Inner Mongolia, adhering to ethical production standards. If you're curious to learn more, the brand features a "Cashmere 101" explainer on its website. Beyond its conscientious production practices, this scarf is one you'll want to wear every day. A satisfied Quince customer shares, "The quality of this scarf is top-notch. It's soft, long enough to style in various ways, and can even be used as a light shoulder cover."

Composition: 100 percent grade-A Mongolian cashmere

Number of Colors: 11

Best Designer Cashmere Scarf

Loro Piana is one of the brands fashion insiders talk about most when they discuss the quiet luxury movement, and this scarf exemplifies why. It's available in seven neutral colors, including charcoal gray and lighter shades like tan and white. Made from 100 percent cashmere, the scarf features a slightly shiny, rippled finish due to the frisson design.

Composition: 100 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: Seven

Cashmere Scarf With the Best Color Selection

At just $60, this scarf from the Japanese basics brand Uniqlo is so impressive that you might consider getting more than one, especially since it's available in 13 different colors—more than any other scarf on this list. The length is also ideal and it won't overwhelm petite frames. As one enthusiastic reviewer put it, this scarf meets all the criteria: “Great cashmere, beautiful colors, reasonable price." What’s not to like?

Composition: 100 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: 13

Best Cashmere Wrap

Consider trying a cashmere wrap instead of a scarf for maximum warmth and coverage. One of our top choices is the oversized 100 percent pure cashmere wrap from J. Crew. It offers excellent winter warmth without being excessively expensive, priced at just under $200. Wear it alone or style it under your favorite duster coat.

Composition: 100 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: Nine

Best Thin Cashmere Scarf

While this isn’t one of those ultra-thin scarves from the early aughts, it is our pick as the best thin scarf on this list. It’s the pick for you if you don’t want to feel positively overwhelmed by an added layer around your neck (or if you hate the feeling of too much fabric around your face). You can shop it in six neutral colors like black, ice gray, and a camel-toned brown that hits on one of fall’s top color trends. It’s made from 100 percent cashmere (70 percent of which is recycled) that meets the Good Cashmere Standard® and is GRS-certified.

Composition: 30 non-recycled percent cashmere, 70 percent recycled cashmere

Number of Colors: Six

Best Long Cashmere Scarf

Aritzia’s accessories selection is seriously underrated. This scarf from the line is made from 100 percent cashmere and has a classic elongated shape perfect for bundling up in. But if the classic size is too wide for you, you can also shop it in a narrower silhouette. Shop it in 10 colors, including this bright cherry red hue, which is great for adding a pop to your otherwise classic fall and winter ensembles. It measures over 74 inches in length, making it our pick for shoppers who love a long scarf to wrap themselves in.

Composition: 100 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: 10

Best Printed Cashmere Scarf

The Burberry scarf in the iconic checked print is a classic choice. It's made from 100 percent cashmere and adorned with playful fringe at the hem. Its oversized, relaxed silhouette also makes it perfect for adding coverage and warmth. Wear it with an open leather '80s bomber jacket for a bit of a rocker look.

Composition: 100 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: One

Best Small Cashmere Scarf

COS’s fall collection is full of elevated classics; this triangle-shaped brushed cashmere scarf from the line is proof. This triangle-shaped style is smaller than a traditional cashmere scarf, perfect for styling as a chic head scarf or a shoulder cape. You can shop it in three colors, including this black hue and a mid-toned camel.

Composition: 100 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: Three

Best Ribbed Cashmere Scarf

This ribbed cashmere scarf from one of our Editor-in-chief's favorite brands, Nili Lotan, comes in black and tan colors. It's so cozy it could moonlight as a blanket if you’re in a pinch. It’s made from 100 percent cashmere and has a chunkier, heavier weight than others on this list. For a full-on ribbed look, shop the brand’s matching cashmere beanie.

Composition: 100 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: Two

Best Cashmere Scarf Hood

Meet this Nadaam Cashmere Scarf Balaclava, a scarf-hood hybrid made from 100 percent Mongolian cashmere. Thanks to the drawstring and sleek silhouette through the neck, it has a snug fit that won’t make you overheat. I hate the feeling of a scarf rubbing on the back of my neck or coming undone throughout the day, so this is on my shopping list this season.

Composition: 100 percent Mongolian cashmere

Number of Colors: Four

Best Lightweight Cashmere Scarf

Not all cashmere scarves equate to heaviness. This extra-long style, available in five colors from White & Warren, is surprisingly lightweight and perfect for packing in your carry-on bag when you travel.

Composition: 100 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: Four

Best Silk-Blend Cashmere Scarf

There are your classic luxe cashmere scarves, and then there is this super luxe Prada scarf made from a blend of equal parts silk and cashmere—meaning it's soft to the touch, not scratchy, and won't overheat you. Finished with a subtly shiny texture and some minimalist fringe, it’s the perfect gift for the impossible-to-shop-for friend on your list—or a forever piece for your collection.

Composition: 51 percent silk, 49 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: Six

Best Bright Cashmere Scarf

I gravitate towards all-black outfits, but incorporating a bit of color into your fall and winter wardrobe can freshen up a look. This electric blue & Other Stories scarf also comes in baby pink and ruby red for a pop of color, but it's available in slate gray, white, and black for neutral palettes. One reviewer dubbed it “the best cashmere scarf” they’d ever purchased, calling it “thick, luxurious, and beautiful.” Say no more.

Composition: 100 percent recycled cashmere

Number of Colors: Seven

Best Underrated Cashmere Scarf

If you're a dedicated Nordstrom shopper like me, check out the store's in-house line of cashmere sweaters with dozens of five-star reviews. Not only does it come in ten colors, but it’s made from a blend of recycled and non-recycled cashmere. “This scarf is worth every penny. So warm and beautiful,” gushed one reviewer, while another chimed in, saying that the “loose weave allows the fabric to breathe. At the same time, the extended length provides additional warmth when needed.”

Composition: 55 percent recycled cashmere, 45 percent cashmere

Number of Colors: 10

Best Two-Tone Cashmere Scarf

Toteme is the brand New Yorkers love. The whipstitched-trim design on this scarf from the line feels like an if-you-know-you-know brand signature modeled after its best-selling scarf coat. You can shop this pick in three colors: this mid-toned gray, a black-and-white iteration, and a tan-and-white version. The inclusion of cotton in the fabrication gives it a breathable feel, while the cashmere included in the fabrication adds softness.

Composition: 88 percent wool, 10 percent cashmere, 2 percent cotton

Number of Colors: Three

Best Colorblocked Cashmere Scarf

Can’t pick between two colors when shopping for your next scarf? Opt for this cashmere scarf from Eileen Fisher that comes in a cool color-blocked pattern. It comes in two color combinations: the pictured black-and-gray version and a two-toned gray option for a softer look. It’s also made from cotton and cashmere for a lightweight, breathable feel.

Composition: 70 percent organic cotton, 30 percent recycled cashmere

Number of Colors: Two

It may seem obvious, but the material breakdown is a big part of choosing the right cashmere scarf. Styles made from 100 percent pure cashmere are of higher quality, typically equating to a higher price tag. That's not to say anything under 100 percent cashmere isn't worth buying. There are plenty of expertly crafted blended fabrications, too. Just check the tag so you know exactly what you're paying for, then pick a color that best suits your personal style.

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Emma is the fashion features editor at Marie Claire, where she writes deep-dive trend reports, zeitgeisty fashion featurettes on what style tastemakers are wearing, long-form profiles on emerging designers and the names to know, and human interest vignette-style round-ups. Previously, she was Marie Claire's style editor, where she wrote shopping e-commerce guides and seasonal trend reports, assisted with the market for fashion photo shoots, and assigned and edited fashion celebrity news.

Emma also wrote for The Zoe Report, Editorialist, Elite Daily, Bustle, and Mission Magazine. She studied Fashion Studies and New Media at Fordham University Lincoln Center and launched her own magazine, Childs Play Magazine, in 2015 as a creative pastime. When she's not waxing poetic about niche fashion topics, you'll find her stalking eBay for designer vintage, reading literary fiction on her Kindle, and baking banana bread in her tiny NYC kitchen.

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