The Under $100 Winter Staple You Need

Have you ever stumbled upon something and thought, how didn’t I know about this before? I had such an ah-ha moment with the $98 J.Crew Cashmere Crew. Seriously, where has it been all my life? I picked up my first cashmere crew on a whim after seeing the hot pink color on the sales lady at my local J.Crew. Yes, the very same women who inspired my purchase of some “out of my comfort zone” statement earrings. These are pretty similar. She looked so effortlessly chic with the hot pink crew over a white shirt.

Why You Need This Sweater

You need this sweater like you need a good quality, t-shirt in your wardrobe. It is a staple you will reach for again and again. There are a ton of excellent cashmere crew sweaters on the market, but I have found J. Crew cashmere to be the best quality for the price. If cared for properly, it will last for years.

The sweater is lightweight and perfect for layering, but being cashmere, it provides a the right amount of warmth. Let me tell you about the colors! There are like a million amazing colors available. Not really. But it is a lot! They offer your traditional conservative colors of black, tan, and grey, but they also have a ton of funky and fun colors like the Neon Berry, I wearing below.

The cut on this sweater is meant to be slim. I am a busty gal, so I sized up to a large for a little extra room across the chest. I often do the same with t-shirts. It stinks when a sweater pulls across the chest. A crew neck sweater is great for so many things from wearing like a tee with jeans or layering under your favorite suit for work. I reach for these sweaters time and time again.

I am happy to read on the J.Crew web site that they now have committed to sustainability. “To honor the future of this fiber, we’re proud to join the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), an international nonprofit working to create a more sustainable cashmere supply chain. As the first U.S. member, we’re supporting its efforts to ensure animal welfare, advocate for herding communities, restore grasslands, and reduce cashmere’s environmental footprint. Learn more at sustainablefibre.org.” J.Crew web site.

I applaud their effort to minimize the effects of their industry on the planet. I hope more retailers follow suit. Read on for how to wear the J.Crew Cashmere Crew.

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J.Crew Cashmere Crew Outfit Ideas

1. Cashmere Crew + White Tee + Camo Cords + Sneakers

I’m wearing the cashmere crew in Neon Berry. As I mentioned, I am wearing a large since I am busty. I layered it over a white tee just in case I get hot, which seems to happen more now than in the past. I’m wearing camo pants, which I consider a neutral and my favorite Golden Goose sneakers.

Camo is sure to be hot this year. My emotions are mixed about it. I am a long-time camo clothing lover, so I am fearful of it becoming too trendy and, therefore, overdone. On the other hand, there are so many great camo pieces right now to stock up on. The cords are the Pilcro High-Rise Corduroy Pants from Anthropologie. They have the perfect amount of stretch, making them so comfortable, and they come in eight colors and two prints, including the camo.

2. Cashmere Crew + Black Denim + Sneakers 

The cashmere crew works with all kinds of denim. I am wearing the rag & bone Rosa Mid-Rise Boyfriend Jeans, which is a modern update to my beloved Dre. The rise is just a bit higher, and the distressing doesn’t include holes, which make it more comfortable to wear in winter.  I am always on the lookout for the perfect faded black jeans (not too grey). These are a great straight leg option.

The black Golden Goose sneakers I’m wearing are almost sold out, but this pair from Net-a-Porter is similar. Net-a-Porter offers free delivery on purchases over $200 and free no hassle returns.

My bag is Parker Thatch and LA-based designer. I must admit, I am obsessed with tote bags! My favorite bags are all totes from the classic LV Never Full to the Goyard Artois and now, at a much more reasonable price point, the Parker Thatch tote. When I saw the camo tote, I knew immediately I had to have it.

3.  Cashmere Crew + White Button Down + Skinny Jeans + Boots

Shortly after picking up the sweater in neon berry, I went back and purchased the black and the heathered grey. Black and grey are my go-to colors, so I knew I had to have this great sweater in my most worn colors. Below I am wearing the black sweater with a classic white button-down shirt from Madewell. I tucked the shirt this time, but I think it looks just as lovely untucked and peaking out below the sweater.

The jeans are AG Ankle skinny. My exact pair is no longer available, but this similar wash is on sale at Nordstrom right now. I also like the rag & bone Cate Ankle Skinny Jeans to wear with boots.

The boots are Frye. I am a long-time Frye boot devotee. My first “expensive” pair of boots was Frye way back in my 20’s. The quality is fantastic, and the fit is always comfortable. I did have one failed Frye Boot experience. Actually, it was my first time trying a Frye boot. I desperately wanted the Campus boot, and when they were on the Nordstrom sale back in the early nineties, I decided I would splurge and get a pair. Sadly, they have no zipper and are incredibly stiff, and with my high arch, I got my foot stuck trying them on. I had to have a sales associate to help me get them off. I still wish I could wear those boots. They are as cool today as they were back then. Forever, they will be the pair that got away.

Eventually, I did get my first pair of Frye boots to be followed up by a whole collection. They are the one boot that I will never discard. I store them when I feel the style has gone out of fashion, knowing eventually it will come back around. So when I wanted a modern, western boot, Frye immediately came to mind. I bought the Frye Billy Leather Tall Boots from Bloomingdale’s, which are on sale now! They have a hint of western styling but aren’t too cowboyish, and they have a zipper for easy on and off.

4. Cashmere Crew + White Tee + Faux Leather Leggings + Sneakers

Another great way to wear the cashmere crew is like an elevated sweatshirt. It is perfect as a top layer for your everyday casual outfits. Truth be told, I spend way too much time in leggings. Because of that fact, I am continually looking for new ways to wear leggings that doesn’t scream, “I just came from a workout” because I haven’t.

The combo of cashmere crew and faux leather leggings works as a comfortable athleisure outfit that doesn’t look like you just worked out. I’m wearing the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings, but I also own the Commando Faux Leather leggings.  I like the Spanx for warmer days and for a less rock n’ roll look. The Commando leggings are great for colder days and have more of an authentic leather look. If you want to read more about leather leggings, check out my post How to Wear Leather Leggings.

5. Cashmere Crew + Plaid Pants + Leather Jacket + Flats or Boots

Because the sweater is cashmere, it is easy to dress up for work or an evening out. My life is pretty casual, but I love pairing a sweater with my favorite trousers for dinner with family or friends. You could easily layer this sweater over your favorite dress with a belt, but that really isn’t my style. I am a pants girl most of the time.

Plaid is going to be huge in 2020! I love plaid leggings for every day, but I recently picked up these plaid trousers from Anthropologie, and they are so good! The plaid is subtle, and the blue is on point being the 2020 Pantone’s color of the year.

Add your favorite flats or booties, depending on the weather. My flats are the Chloe Lauren Scalloped Leather Flats, which are the only flats I have found that don’t cause me horrific blisters. For colder days, I wear these pants with a lug sole bootie. My boots are rag & bone, but I also love the Frye version, which is on sale now.

My leather jacket is the IRO Han Leather Jacket. My Madewell leather jacket has served me well, but after five years, it was time for an upgrade. Cami is excited to add my Madewell jacket to her closet.

The J.Crew Cashmere crew is a staple for any winter wardrobe. With almost thirty different colors to choose from, a classic cut that is universally flattering, this sweater is perfect for everybody. But be warned; once you buy one, you will want more. Luckily at $98, you don’t need to feel guilty indulging. How do you wear your cashmere crews? Drop me a comment below. I would love to hear from you.

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