Cashmere Beanies: How to Choose the Best One

A good cashmere beanie is soft enough to wear all day, warm without bulk and made from a label that tells you exactly what is in it. Look for 100% cashmere, a cashmere and silk blend for a lighter feel, and a rib knit that holds its shape. Brunello Cucinelli leads our picks, and Luxury Handbags stocks them in women’s hats.

What should you look for in a cashmere beanie?

Start with the label, then the knit, then the fit. A beanie is a small object, so every choice shows.

• Composition: 100% cashmere is the softest. A cashmere and silk blend is lighter and has a faint sheen. Wool and mohair mixes are sturdier and fuzzier, which is a style choice, not a compromise.
• Knit: rib knits stretch to fit and spring back, so they stay put. A plain knit looks cleaner but can slouch. A double knit is warmer.
• Finish: check the cuff. A deep folded cuff gives two layers over the ears, where you want warmth most.
• Sizing: some houses sell beanies in one size, others in letter sizes. A sized beanie fits better and is less likely to stretch out.
• Where it is made: a clear country of manufacture on the label is a good sign of a maker who stands behind the product.

For the house-by-house view of Brunello Cucinelli hats, from berets to bucket hats, see our guide to Brunello Cucinelli hats. For the fibre itself, read what makes Brunello Cucinelli cashmere different.

Are cashmere hats warm?

Yes. Cashmere is prized because it gives a lot of warmth for very little weight, which is exactly what you want on your head. A cashmere beanie traps heat without the itch of coarser wool, so you will actually keep it on. For real cold, choose a thicker rib with a folded cuff, and pair it with a scarf and gloves; a hat alone cannot do all the work. For the slopes, a balaclava covers more skin, and our Brunello Cucinelli ski collection guide shows how to wear knitwear on the mountain.

The best cashmere beanies at Luxury Shoes

All of these are from Brunello Cucinelli’s new season, made in Italy and sold in letter sizes so you can choose a proper fit.

The everyday rib

The Cashmere rib knit beanie in Oyster is the one to buy if you only buy one. It comes in Oyster, Lignite Grey, Pine Cone Brown and Origano, so it matches almost any coat.

The softest

The Cashmere and silk beanie in Beige adds 10% silk to the cashmere. It is lighter on the head and has a subtle surface glow. It also comes in Pebble, Brown and Lignite Grey, and there is a matching cashmere and silk neck warmer in Beige and Lignite Grey.

The matching set

The Knit beanie in Lead comes with a Cashmere knit scarf in Lead and Knit mittens with monili in Lead, all in cashmere and also offered in Panama. Buying all three is the simplest way to look put together on a cold morning. For more on scarves, read our guide to luxury cashmere scarves.

The detail pieces

The Cashmere beanie with logo in Sand is for anyone who wants a quiet brand mark. The Beanie with whispering bloom embroidery in Dark Grey adds floral stitching to plain cashmere, and makes a lovely present. For ski days, the Cashmere knit balaclava in Panama covers head and neck in one piece.

Cashmere beanie styles explained

The word beanie covers several shapes. The fisherman style sits high and short above the ears. The slouchy beanie has extra length at the crown. The cuffed beanie folds back on itself for a double layer. A rib knit beanie can be worn in any of these ways depending on how far you fold it. If you prefer a brim, a knit bucket hat is the alternative: the Diamond yarn rib knit bucket hat in Ecru uses the brand’s sparkling cashmere and silk yarn.

How to wear a cashmere beanie

Match the beanie to your coat, not your outfit. A tonal beanie in the same family as the coat looks considered; a contrasting colour is better when the coat is dark and plain. Push it back off the forehead for a softer line, and pull it down over the ears when it is truly cold. With tailored coats, choose a fine rib in a neutral. With a puffer and a ski jacket, a chunkier knit and a brighter colour suit the bulk.

How to choose the right size

Measure around your head, just above the eyebrows and ears, with a soft tape. Use that number to pick a letter size against the product page. If you fall between two sizes, a rib knit forgives a size down and a plain knit wants the size up. Wear your hair as you normally will when you try it on; a low bun changes the fit.

How do you care for a cashmere beanie?

Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool and cashmere wash, press out the water in a towel, never wring, and dry flat. Reshape the cuff while damp. Follow the care label first, especially on embroidered and silk pieces. Our full guide on how to wash cashmere covers pilling, storage and moths. I wash mine once at the end of winter, before it goes away for summer.

Other good sources of cashmere beanies

Brunello Cucinelli is our lead pick, but it is not the only house worth knowing. N.Peal, a house built on cashmere knitwear, is another good source, and Loro Piana is the other Italian name often mentioned for cashmere. Our list of the best cashmere brands compares them, and the matching gloves and socks are covered in our guide to Brunello Cucinelli gloves and socks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cashmere hats warm?

Yes. Cashmere gives a lot of warmth for very little weight and does not itch like coarser wool. For deep cold, choose a thick rib with a folded cuff and pair it with a scarf and gloves.

Where can I buy high quality beanies?

Buy from a retailer that lists the composition and the country of manufacture on every product. Luxury Handbags stocks Brunello Cucinelli cashmere beanies, made in Italy, with the composition on each page and worldwide shipping.

Which brand of cashmere is best?

There is no single answer, but Brunello Cucinelli is one of the most respected. It was founded in 1978 with coloured cashmere and still makes everything in Italy. N.Peal and Loro Piana are also well known for cashmere.

Who sells good quality cashmere?

Specialist houses that print full compositions on their labels and make in a named country. Brunello Cucinelli is one, and Luxury Handbags carries its new season cashmere hats, scarves, gloves and socks.

How do you wash a cashmere beanie?

Hand wash in cool water with a gentle cashmere wash, press the water out in a towel and dry flat. Always check the care label first.