Closet Full of Cashmere: How Cashmere Sweaters Elevated My Wardrobe

     Until 2023, I was less interested in timeless pieces and craved the one-time-wear outfits. An outfit curated of bold pieces that look decent only when someone is looking at you for short periods of time from a faraway distance. The year of 2023 is when I started exploring the concept of the capsule wardrobe and wearing more elegant articles of clothing. The colder portions of the year, though exceedingly rare, encouraged me to wear warmer clothes. My taste had changed considerably since the fall/winter of 2022, so in an attempt to dress sophisticatedly, I analyzed my closet and reinvented what 2023 Elle was going to wear.

     I decided that wearing a cashmere sweater with an extremely casual outfit such as sweatpants or jeans was peak chicness. Just like owning a beat-up Birkin with scratched hardware, stuffed to the brim with an assortment of things, and stickers decorating the exterior. My obsession with cashmere sweaters sparked when I fell in love with a navy cashmere cardigan by J. Crew. That purchase was my “gateway drug” to Cashmere. I now have cashmere sweaters in a variety of colors and cuts. 

     My cashmere collection has since blossomed, and I am unconditionally and irrevocably in love with these sweaters. I have styled my collection in several ways. My most cherished outfit combination consists of gray Banana Republic jeans, a white Athleta shirt, and of course, a light gray Banana Republic cashmere sweater. I like looking at this outfit because of the shared commonalities among the pieces such as the shades of white. The textures are much different but complement one another nicely. The rough dark denim contrasts with the light airiness of the white shirt and the plushness of the cashmere sweater. These sweaters make almost any outfit look luxurious and classy which is perfect because sometimes I'm lazy and don't want to spend 30 minutes choosing an outfit.

     With spring/summer coming up, I am excited about the challenge of styling these soft, luxurious, and warm sweaters. What is an outfit staple you are planning to incorporate into your wardrobe this year?