Your Guide To The Coziest Cashmere Gifts For Every Budget

A surefire way to win any gift-exchanging scenario is to wrap up some cashmere. The fiber is seasonally appropriate, scrumptious to the touch, and forever in style. Plus, there’s no doubt that cashmere gifts will elicit some delightful reactions, whether you’ve got a difficult mom to shop for or a bestie on your list.

As luck would have it, there’s no shortage of cashmere floating around in commerce cyberspace this year. The luxurious wool, once considered the crème de la crème of natural fibers for its hefty price tag, is now available at any budget — from less than $30 to over $400. Just keep in mind that the purer the cashmere, the higher the price. Cashmere blends typically aren’t as soft but are far more affordable.

We, however, love all varietals of cashmere, even if just a hint of the stuff gets woven into our winter wear. (Shoutout to all the goats who provide us with such warmth and comfort!) Ahead, peruse our selection of 18 buttery-soft sweaters, pants, outerwear, and accessories that are primed to impress any gifting situation you’re in this holiday.

J.Crew Women’s Cashmere Trouser Socks, $69.50

Do you have a luxe friend who is a quality-over-quantity person? Gift them a pair of trousers socks to keep their feet (and legs) warm in the winter. 

Pilcro The Alani Cashmere Mock-Neck Sweater, $148

One of Anthropologie’s best-selling sweaters happens to be made of lightweight cashmere. Available in every color imaginable, this top is super-versatile with an easy-going boxy cut and cute mock neck.

Shop Anthropologie

COS Ribbed Cashmere Slippers, $120

Stay cozy all day long in a lush pair of cashmere slippers. It has rounded toes and leather soles for additional comfort.

Alex Mill Nico Cardigan In Cashmere Colorblock, $295

Cashmere often is offered in neutral and heathered shades of gray, black, white, or oatmeal — but this colorful cardi proves that bright, bold pieces are equally investment-worthy.

Shop Alex Mill

Free People Paloma Cashmere Cardi, $158

Swap out your cotton button-down with this oxford-style cashmere top.

Shop Free People

Lululemon Cotton-Cashmere Knit Mid-Rise Jogger, $198

These Lululemon cashmere joggers are so comfortable, your gift recipient may not want to wear them for any other purpose than to be a couch potato. Which, fair enough.

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Nordstrom Signature Cashmere Poncho, $499

This oversize cashmere poncho offers a quick and easy way to layer while still looking polished.

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Quince Mongolian Cashmere Straight Leg Pant, $99.90

We love any opportunity to wear our cozy loungewear out in public — and these versatile straight-leg cashmere pants from Quince allow us to do just that.

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Burberry Vintage Check Cashmere Scarf Snood, $260

If the idea of an oversized cashmere scarf is too cumbersome, these luxe cashmere neck warmers are a great alternative.

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Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan, $445

The internet’s favorite cashmere cardigan is still this cocoon style from Jenni Kayne. Pricey, sure — but certainly worth every dollar if getting toasty and warm is a high priority.

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Everlane The ReCashmere Mittens, $50

Made from a blend of recycled fibers, these reworked mittens are a fun way to give the gift of geniune cashmere without breaking the bank.

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Lunya Cashmere Travel Kit, $498

Go big or go home with gifting this holiday. If you have a luxe relative who is always on the go, they’ll thoroughly enjoy this cashmere kit consisting of a sleep mask, blanket scarf, and socks.

Naadam Cashmere Jumpsuit, $295 $147.50

This cashmere jumpsuit is made for those of us who want to feel swaddled like an adult baby.

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Theory Outlet Oversized Scarf In Cashmere, $255 $127.50

If you’re committing to cashmere, you may as well opt for a super-long and chunky scarf that goes the distance.

Shop Theory Outlet

Aritizia The Group By Babaton Luxe Cashmere Hoodie, $198

Sometimes, just a simple cashmere crew-neck sweater works — and this one from Aritzia comes in plenty of gorgeous colors.

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Alo Cashmere Ribbed Staycation Bra, $178; Alo Cashmere Ribbed Staycation Short, $150

Feeling like royalty starts with intimates, and this (on sale!) cashmere crop and shortie set from Alo takes the cake when it comes to ridiculously cute underthings.

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& Other Stories Ribbed Cashmere Knit Beanie, $59

A bright and bold cashmere beanie is the perfect way to top off your winter look.

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Madewell Plus (Re)sourced Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater, $158

It’s good to know that this cashmere turtleneck from Madewell is cropped and boxy for a stylish ‘fit.

Shop Madewell

Reformation Tenore Cashmere Sweater Dress, $328 $196.80

If dressing for comfort is the ultimate goal of this year’s holiday party season, this midi cashmere dress from Reformation is simply it.

Shop Reformation

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Why Selfies Are An Essential Art Form, According To Model Aaron Rose Philip

For model Aaron Rose Philip, selfies are neither frivolous nor narcissistic. They’re capital-A Art.

“You can communicate feelings through a selfie. You can express yourself. It’s a formidable medium,” she says. “They’re a very legitimate form of expression in this age.”

While Philip has been photographed professionally on countless major fashion sets, she knows there’s a special breed of magic that comes with seizing control of your own image, in the way only a selfie allows. And as a Black, transgender woman born with cerebral palsy, she hasn’t always felt like mainstream media was committed to celebrating or broadcasting images of people who looked like her. “When I read fashion magazines when I was younger, I always loved them, but I never saw anyone like myself represented,” she says. “So that’s why I decided to get into the fashion industry. To see myself and more people like myself take up space there.”

At this point in her career, not only has Philip graced the pages of just about every major household name fashion magazine (think: British Vogue, Interview, Paper, WWD) but her appearance in Moschino’s 2022 Spring/Summer Fashion Week show marked the first time a major luxury fashion brand included a model in a wheelchair in their runway lineup. “After that happened, I really felt like I was able to inhale and exhale,” she says. “I really did it.”

In the months since, Philip has gone on to appear in shows for designers like Foo Foo and Colina Strada, all while continuing to model in major print shoots. But even so, her affection for the ever-democratic selfie holds fast. “The advice I would give to people who don’t have the confidence to take selfies just yet is that, I was the same way for a long time,” she offers. “But you will harness your own special beauty, it’s your right from the universe. Just be patient with yourself, and with time, you will recognize your beauty.”

@refinery29 Do fashion pros take selfies seriously? Model Aaron Rose Philip chimes in. #GalaxyZFlip4 #ad ♬ original sound – Refinery29

With that in mind, we sat down with Philip to chat about all things high fashion, representation, and self love. Watch the video above for more essential wisdom on the future of selfies, Google’s newest hands-free, boundary-pushing camera technology, and creative self expression.

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The Real Stars Of The White Lotus Were The Outfits

Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for The White Lotus.

The second season of The White Lotus, which ended on Sunday, has not only provided a welcome winter escape (thanks to its setting in picturesque Sicily) but it’s also brought us many love-to-hate characters, incessant fan theories and incredibly nuanced costume design. A satirical portrayal of the super-wealthy on a resort holiday, this season was stuffed with symbolism and Easter eggs that manifested impeccably through the characters’ wardrobes. The show’s costume designer, Alex Bovaird, who was nominated for an Emmy for her work on the first series, tells Refinery29 that this round of costumes demanded “more of everything.”

“Since it’s about people going on holiday, we crank it up deliberately as there’s a certain amount of projecting that we all do when packing our suitcases,” Bovaird says. “We ask, Who do I want to be on vacation? Did I go out and buy certain things? Am I upping my game because I’m in Italy? This adds an extra element to the design, which is super fun.” With film credits including The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Jordan Peele’s Nope, Bovaird’s work almost requires a second pair of eyes to spot all its greatness. Take, for example, the floral dress in episode three that foreshadowed this season’s finale. “The babydoll dress was something we made ourselves from some beautiful Emanuel Ungaro fabric,” Bovaird says. “We needed six of them in total.” With brands such as Moschino, JW Anderson and Casablanca making appearances on the small screen, there were clearly plenty of eyes on the costumes this season.

Portia (played by Haley Lu Richardson) is your archetypal Gen Z girlie with an algorithm-informed wardrobe to match. From the moment she appears on screen, her patterned House of Sunny sweater vest, marbled Crap Eyewear sunglasses and array of beaded necklaces create a picture of someone who is chronically online. The juxtaposition of her pastel, sticker-covered Away suitcase with Tanya’s (played by Jennifer Coolidge) multiple quartz-pink Rimowas instantly indicates a class and cultural divide before either character opens their mouth – and that’s on Bovaird. “I love observing people. I base it off reality and then up the eye candy,” she says. “Costume design should serve the story and make sense for the character – sometimes it’s so good that you don’t really notice it.” 

In subsequent episodes, we see Portia in an array of haphazard outfits, all of which make her look like Urban Outfitters threw up on her. It’s a well-known aesthetic, perhaps best described by TikToker @mirandawaldron in a now-viral sound: “Gen-Z will be like ‘I have such a unique sense of personal style’ and then they just wear a top and a skirt that don’t go together with cowboy boots.” Like many other young people today, Portia is lost, and before her character gets a chance to explain that, her outfits do it for her (albeit with a pair of chunky white sandals instead of cowboy boots). 

This hasn’t stopped the internet raging at Portia’s terrible sense of style, from her upcycled Tommy Hilfiger cropped polo shirt and crochet bucket hat to her zebra-print bikini top and rainbow micro-hoodie-slash-cardigan combination. “It’s fascinating to be part of a discussion on what costume design is and what constitutes style,” Bovaird says. The audience reaction is all the more interesting, given that Portia’s wardrobe was a collaborative effort: “Haley Lu wanted to wear her own bucket hat, the denim cutoffs are hers. She was very involved with mismatching her clothes, making sure Portia sometimes looked a bit of a fail while also having her own sweet, kooky mojo.” 

@betches The costume designer needs a demotion. #thewhitelotus #whitelotustv #whitelotushbo #haleylurichardson ♬ original sound – bella

As with all of the characters in The White Lotus, the brilliance lies in Bovaird’s accuracy; perhaps with Portia she has held the looking glass a little too close for comfort. “This one has struck a chord, maybe because people who care this much about outfits have all looked back and cringed at some of their own? I know I have,” Bovaird says.

Resort manager Valentina (played by Sabrina Impacciatore) was Bovaird’s favorite character to dress. A tirelessly uptight woman with lashings of charcoal eyeliner and over-styled dark hair, she wears exclusively two-piece suits and patterned shirts. “A lot of the characters have an eclectic wardrobe but it’s fun to hone in on one thing, creating her rigid style with sharp suits and pointy shoes,” Bovaird says. “It just felt like you’re getting to know exactly who Valentina is every time we dressed her.”

Valentina delivers the line of the season when she bluntly tells Tanya, who is dressed in head-to-toe Alice Temperley, that she looks like Peppa Pig. Valentina’s tough exterior, consisting of quintessential Italian labels like Trussardi, Pinko and Max Mara, acts as a mask to conceal her inner struggles, which are revealed over the course of the season. The final episode ushers in a newly liberated Valentina, symbolized through her unbuttoned Moschino blouse from the night before. 

Bovaird confirms she pulled “lots of Italian designers and lots of vintage” to dress the protagonists of this dark Sicilian adventure. Billionaire heiress Tanya’s hot pink Valentino bag has a recurring role, with the assembling of its gold chain straps often acting as an emotional crutch. Harper (played by Aubrey Plaza) on the other hand opts for Loewe’s Flamenco bag, interspersed with a couple of Bottega Veneta options, all of which are fitting for a high-flying New York lawyer. Her quiet luxury wardrobe, largely made up of Sandro basics, arguably makes her the best dressed character on the show, especially in proximity to the brashness of affluent couple Daphne and Cameron (played by Meghann Fahy and Theo James).

@catquinn Replying to @catquinn Aubrey Plaza’s style as Harper in the White Lotus was inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, costume designer Alex Bovaird told Fashionista. #thewhitelotus #thewhitelotusseason2 #aubreyplaza #harper #greenscreen ♬ Renaissance (Main Title Theme) [from “The White Lotus: Season 2”] – Cristobal Tapia De Veer

The word “delusional” comes to mind for these two. Daphne’s whimsical prints and patterns from Moschino, Louis Vuitton (in the form of several giant monogrammed totes) and Sicilian swimwear brands Reina Olga and Mavì Bikini are an extension of the fantasy world that she and her husband live in. Cameron’s penchant for statement shirts, purchased from the local town after the airline loses his suitcase, screams self-absorbed narcissist – particularly the silk, cocktail-printed Casablanca style he wears in episode three. A spokesperson for the luxury fashion house tells Refinery29: “Once that episode aired, we had so many people reach out saying they had spotted a Casablanca shirt. It highlighted what a varied audience the show has, how identifiable Casablanca is in its designs and the thought that Alex put into this not only in the selection of the brands but which character wore them.” 

@detambleave Cameron slayed the bejeweled trend #bejeweled #cameronsullivan #theojames #thewhitelotus ♬ original sound – alex

Perhaps the characters with the most fun wardrobes are Mia and Lucia (played by Beatrice Grannò and Simona Tabasco), the two sex workers who blag their way into the five-star resort. In episode two, they are seen staring into a boutique window, gazing longingly at a glitzy bodycon dress from London-based designer Clio Peppiatt, which they later purchase with their earnings.

“Alex was lovely to work with and her vision for the scene meant she knew exactly what styles would work best for the characters,” Peppiatt tells Refinery29. “As a big fan of The White Lotus, it’s really special to see such out-there pieces make an appearance.” In the closing scene, we see the pair wandering the streets of Sicily, flush with swindled money, their mood heightened by their complementary bright, fruity and floral ensembles. It’s easy to see them as the winners of the show. “I wanted them to pop in the crowd,” Bovaird says. “It’s also my own little homage to one of my favorite films, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, about a badass woman who out-scams the scammers.”  

@chloebaffert Also I totally think that Ethan kills Cameron. #whitelotusseason2 #whitelotus #thewhitelotus #cliopeppiatt #simonatabasco #thewhitelotusedit #tiktokfashion #fashiontok ♬ Renaissance (Main Title Theme) [from “The White Lotus: Season 2”] – Cristobal Tapia De Veer

Without Bovaird’s work, the characters of The White Lotus wouldn’t have been as compelling, chaotic and complicated as they are. The situations they find themselves in may be unimaginable to the majority of us, but Bovaird’s razor-sharp observations of different types of people and how they dress make them somehow relatable. We’ve all encountered a blissfully ignorant alpha male like Cameron or a socially conscious yet self-absorbed young person like Portia. In fact, we can probably see a piece of ourselves in all of them (as much as we wouldn’t like to admit it). 

Bovaird believes costume designers are earning more widespread appreciation. “It seems like they are getting recognized for their synergy in reflecting and projecting the world around them,” she says. “There is a campaign for more equal pay and credit, which, given the crucial role they have in storytelling, is long overdue.” Her hopes for season three’s destination? “Somewhere with mysticism and magic like India or Egypt.” It’s just a shame we won’t get to see Tanya’s wardrobe make that trip.

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Banana Republic Is In Its Viral Era — What’s Contributing To Its Success

If you were a young professional in the mid-‘00s, Banana Republic was almost certainly where you went shopping when it came time to buy your first workwear outfits: Maybe a blazer you hoped would help nail that job interview or a sheath dress that you thought would clinch that big raise. Certainly, that was the case for Rachel Whitehouse — a creator documenting her chic, high-low looks on her TikTok, @clothesarefriends — who scored her first big job in a pleated Banana Republic skirt in 2016.

“Through the next seven years of my life, Banana Republic’s suit sets were with me every step of the way,” she says. “My team would constantly ask where my blazers and suit sets were from, and the answer was always Banana Republic.”

While the brand — first launched in 1978 by Mel and Patricia Ziegler as a travel- and safari-inspired company, before getting acquired by Gap in 1983  — was a mall mainstay during the late ‘90s and early aughts, like many of its contemporaries, it fell out of favor as the cookie-cutter business casual aesthetic which dominated the era faded away in favor of looser dress codes and freedom of self-expression. 

But, after seeing fashion publicist Gabriela Mannix post to her TikTok, @stillintribeca, about a chocolate-hued leather skirt she’d spotted on a recent shopping trip to the retailer in September, Whitehouse decided to go to the mall for the first time in years. There, she fell in love with the brand’s Vida tote and joined the chorus of voices making the oversized bucket bag a viral pick on TikTok which, at the time of publishing, has over 83 thousand views on the social media app.

“The material is truly wonderful,” Whitehouse says. “The shapes are simple and it screams ‘The Row’ without the price.” (A bonus, according to Whitehouse: “This. Bag. Never. Falls. Off. My. Shoulder.”) 

Whitehouse isn’t alone in noticing how the brand has made a move into high-fashion territory; shoppers piled into comments of her post to chime in. “Also was on their website the other day and it’s giving Khaite vibes,” commented one user. “Banana Republic is so good rn I’m shook,” said another.

It’s been a year of comebacks for mall brands, whether it’s Abercrombie & Fitch’s image overhaul or J.Crew’s Olympia Gayot-led era. Unlike its competitors, though, Banana Republic isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel; instead, it’s looking back at the kinds of classic pieces it has always done best while referencing the brand’s deep archive.

“We’re lucky to have such a unique and rich history to lean on for both design and storytelling,” says Nicole Wiesmann, Banana Republic’s VP of design. When it was first founded — as Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company, quite the mouthful — the brand was known for its hand-drawn catalogs featuring travel stories and unique finds picked up by the co-founders on their trips throughout the world. Though it’s been four decades since its explorer-inspired past, the brand is continuing to mine that heritage.

“We are leveraging our history as a travel brand to create a distinctive BR Look that is rich in texture and style,” says Wiesmann. “It’s all about high-quality, accessible luxury, and timeless style with materials like cashmere, silk, leather, suede, and linen.” 

A quick peek at the Banana Republic website immediately shows how the brand has gone back to its roots. Gone are the generic-looking product shots and commercial-grade images with white backdrops. In their stead? Highly editorialized videos and photoshoots in far-flung locales, the kind of imagery intended to make one dream of wearing, say, a red plaid blazer and wool cargo trousers deep in the Scottish Highlands, instead of on your morning work commute. 

That shift, slight as it might seem, is paying off for customers. Where other retailers seemingly want to get in on the fast fashion game, Banana Republic’s commitment to quality is setting it apart for shoppers like Jesica Wagstaff, who has documented her renewed love for the brand on her TikTok @jesicaelise.

“Where many have sacrificed quality, Banana Republic has maintained their high standards,” Wagstaff says. “If anything, I think they have done what so few have successfully and that is to keep up with what’s trending without resorting to pieces that feel disposable and that’s quite a unique space to occupy. They clearly pay attention to the market and their clientele.”

Wagstaff, too, has noticed the change in the brand’s marketing, comparing its most recent campaign to luxury brand Loro Piana — and that seems to be the key to Banana Republic’s success. Its classic, well-made pieces are getting name-checked or referenced alongside big names in the luxury game, like Ralph Lauren, The Row, or Burberry, rather than its mall neighbors. Peruse its offerings, and you can find a pair of wide-legged leather pants for $750; a full-length sherpa coat at $500; cashmere turtlenecks for $140; a sexy silk maxidress at $250. Not fast fashion prices, to be sure, but, a testament to how Banana Republic intends to occupy an increasingly challenging space in the matrix of price and quality.

“They have become a sort of unicorn at this price point,” Wagstaff says. “Previously, many would have to shop fast fashion in order to find trendier items such as a cropped tuxedo jacket or sherpa coats at a relatively affordable price, often resorting to a cheap shadow of its designer inspiration. Banana Republic, with ‘The BR Look’ stands on its own — while familiar, the styles do not feel too referential or like knock-offs of what a shopper wishes they could afford.”

And there’s concrete proof of the strategy’s success: Once a struggling part of Gap, Inc.’s business, the corporation reported that Banana Republic sales were up by 9% in the quarter ending July 30 of this year. “If you make quality the main focus, the clientele will come around to the price,” says Whitehouse.

It’s still early days in the Banana Republic comeback story, but it certainly seems like they’re on the right track. So long as the brand continues to commit to quality, Wagstaff says customers will continue to flock back to its stores.

“The company has struck a beautiful balance between classic style and what’s trending,” Wagstaff agrees. “If they can maintain this without sacrificing quality, the company will maintain its unicorn status.”

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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