When temperatures drop, most wardrobes default to trousers. Yet a cashmere skirt is one of the warmest and most elegant pieces you can wear in winter. Knitted rather than woven, it moves with the body, keeps its warmth close and pairs as naturally with a chunky cardigan as with a fine turtleneck. The difficulty is choosing the right one: knit skirts vary enormously in weight, cut and quality. This guide covers what to look for and how to wear a knit skirt from the first cold mornings to the end of winter.
Why choose a cashmere skirt?
Cashmere is the fibre of the undercoat of cashmere goats, finer and lighter than sheep's wool, with an exceptional ratio of warmth to weight. In a skirt, this means warmth without bulk: you feel covered, but the silhouette stays clean. Cashmere also softens with every wear and drapes rather than stiffens, which makes it far more comfortable than tweed or boiled wool for long days.
Mohair and angora skirts offer a fluffier surface, but they shed and lose their shape faster. A tightly knitted cashmere, especially in a rib, holds its line for years.
A-line or pencil: choosing the cut
The A-line skirt
The A-line is the most forgiving and the most versatile shape. It skims the hip, then releases into a gentle flare, so it moves when you walk and never rides up. Our A-line cashmere skirt in black is cut from 100% ribbed cashmere knit, with a soft folded waistband and a knee-grazing hem. The fine vertical rib gives structure without stiffness, which is the whole secret of a knit skirt that looks tailored.
The pencil skirt
A cashmere pencil skirt is sleeker but less forgiving: it clings to the body and needs a very fine, dense knit to avoid stretching at the seat. If you choose one, size carefully and favour a rib, which recovers its shape better than a flat jersey.
The length
For winter, a knee-grazing or midi length is the most practical. It covers the top of the boot and keeps the knee warm while leaving the silhouette balanced.
What to look for in a knit skirt
Quality in knitwear is easy to feel once you know where to look. Check the composition: 100% cashmere, or cashmere with a small proportion of silk, will behave very differently from a wool-acrylic blend. Look at the density of the knit: hold it to the light, and a good skirt should not be see-through. Check the waistband: a folded, knitted waistband sits more comfortably and more discreetly than elastic. Finally, look at the rib: a clean, even rib is the mark of a well-made piece. Our size guide will help you choose between sizes.
Choosing a colour
Black is the most versatile and the most urban: it works with every knit and every coat. Grey is softer and more heritage, perfect with tweed and camel; the Veronique ribbed knit A-line skirt offers this tone in a silvery grey. Cream is the most luxurious winter colour of all, especially worn in a tonal look; our A-line cashmere skirt in cream is the piece for it. Explore the full palette in our cream and ivory and black and charcoal edits.
How to wear a cashmere skirt in winter
With a cropped cashmere knit
A knit-on-knit look is the most elegant way to wear a cashmere skirt. Choose a jumper that stops at the waist, so the waistband of the skirt stays visible and the proportions remain clear. The Arisaig turtleneck, cropped and boxy in 100% cashmere, is designed exactly for this. The Glasgow jumper, in brushed mouliné cashmere, gives a slightly softer, more textured version.
With a chunky cardigan
For a warmer, more relaxed look, add a substantial cardigan over a fine layer. The Tucker shawl cardigan, knitted in a chunky merino rib with a generous shawl collar and a self-tie belt, can be cinched at the waist to keep the silhouette defined over the skirt.
With a fine second-skin layer
Under a coat or a jacket, a close-fitting top keeps the look streamlined. The Second Skin tank top in pale grey, knitted in 70% cashmere and 30% silk, pairs tonally with a grey skirt and slips easily under any knit. Find the whole line in our Second Skin collection.
Tights and shoes
Opaque tights in black, charcoal or chocolate keep the look warm and polished. Knee-high boots with a slim leg are the most elegant choice with an A-line; loafers with thick socks work for a more collegiate, weekend version.
How to care for a cashmere skirt
Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool detergent, or use the wool cycle of your machine at 30 degrees. Never wring: press out the water in a towel and dry flat, reshaping the skirt while damp. Always store it folded, never on a hanger, which would stretch the knit. A cashmere comb removes the small pills that can appear in the first weeks, after which the fibre settles. Cared for this way, a good cashmere skirt becomes softer and better every winter. For more advice on wearing and caring for cashmere, read our guide on how to style cashmere year-round.
Outerwear over a knit skirt
The coat you wear over a cashmere skirt changes the whole silhouette. A cropped jacket that stops at the waist shows off the flare of an A-line and keeps the look light and feminine: a tweed jacket with a shawl collar is the most heritage version. A long coat that falls below the hem of the skirt creates a long, elegant vertical line, especially in a tonal palette of grey or cream. Avoid coats that stop exactly at the hem of the skirt, which cut the leg at an awkward height. Browse our outerwear collection to find the right length.
Finally, remember that a knit skirt is also a layering piece in itself. Worn over opaque tights with a fine turtleneck, a knit cardigan and a long coat, it gives you four layers of natural fibre, each one adding warmth without bulk. It is the most comfortable way to spend a cold day in town and still look entirely put together. Our layering essentials are designed to be combined in exactly this way.
In summary
Choose a ribbed cashmere knit, an A-line cut and a length that meets the top of your boots. Wear it knit on knit with a cropped jumper, cinch a chunky cardigan over it for warmth, or keep it streamlined with a second-skin layer. Add opaque tights and slim boots, and the cashmere skirt becomes the most elegant piece of your winter. Discover all our knit skirts in skirts and dresses, and the full season in our AW26 collection, The Shepherd's Plaid, or browse our complete knits and cashmere.