Gentle Herd Review: Affordable Luxury Cashmere You Can Feel Good About
If you‘re a cashmere lover on a budget, you may think you have to sacrifice quality and ethics for a lower price tag. But one brand is on a mission to change that – introducing Gentle Herd.
This rising star in the world of cashmere is capturing attention from major publications and fashionistas alike for its unique approach. With almost 70k devoted followers on social media, Gentle Herd has clearly struck a chord with its irresistibly soft and chic designs at refreshingly reasonable prices.
So what‘s the secret behind Gentle Herd‘s ability to offer top-shelf cashmere for a fraction of what you‘d normally pay? I dug deep into the brand to uncover the details. Get cozy and keep reading as I share everything you need to know in this comprehensive Gentle Herd review.
What Is Gentle Herd?
Before we get into the snuggly styles, let‘s start with the basics. Gentle Herd is a relatively new DTC (direct-to-consumer) brand that specializes in affordable luxury cashmere and wool clothing for women and men.
The company was founded with the goal of making premium cashmere more accessible, without cutting any corners when it comes to quality, ethics, and sustainability. In an industry known for steep markups and shady practices, Gentle Herd takes a radically transparent approach.
On the brand‘s website, you can see a full cost breakdown for each garment, from the price of the raw Mongolian cashmere down to the labor. Gentle Herd also openly shares details about its ethical treatment of both animals and workers.
By selling directly to shoppers online and keeping production costs low, Gentle Herd is able to offer prices that are much more down-to-earth than what you‘d find at a department store. But make no mistake – this is the same sumptuous, pill-resistant cashmere that you‘d get from a high-end label.
Gentle Herd Bestsellers for Women
Now that you know the story behind the brand, let‘s dive into the good stuff – the clothes! Gentle Herd has a vast collection for women that includes everything from classic crewneck sweaters to chic wide-leg pants.
I‘ve rounded up some of the most popular pieces to give you a taste of what Gentle Herd has to offer:
Oversized Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
With hundreds of glowing reviews, this best-selling sweater is a staple for a reason. It has a soft, relaxed silhouette that‘s roomy without being sloppy. The 100% Mongolian cashmere fabric is light as air yet super warm.
Featuring chic details like voluminous sleeves and cable-knit arm accents, this is a cold-weather essential that‘s stylish enough to dress up or down. At under $100, it‘s a legitimate steal. Choose from an array of sophisticated neutrals like camel, ivory, and black.
Mid Rise Cashmere Joggers
Whoever said joggers can‘t be luxurious clearly hasn‘t slipped on a pair of these dreamy 100% cashmere pants. Gentle Herd‘s version has a flattering mid rise and tapered leg with split hems.
The fabric is warm and cozy, yet breathable enough to wear all day long. Dress them up with a slouchy sweater and sneakers, or wear them around the house for a WFH day in pure bliss. At $150, these are a indulgence you can justify.
Straight Leg Cashmere Pants
If you‘re looking for a cashmere pant that‘s a bit more polished, try this straight-leg style. Made from the same incredible 100% Grade-A cashmere as the joggers, these have a sleek, structured silhouette that‘s perfect for the office or dinner out.
Details like stitched pockets and split hems add refinement. The fabric is light enough to take you right through spring. At the time of this writing, you can snag a pair on sale for $150 (originally $175) – an amazing value for the quality.
Best-Selling Styles for Men
Gentle Herd also has an impressive collection of cashmere essentials for the guys. While the men‘s line is smaller than the women‘s (about 50 styles compared to 600+), it covers all the key pieces a cashmere-loving dude could want.
Check out some of the most sought-after men‘s items below:
Basic Pure Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
A turtleneck sweater is the ultimate sophisticated layering piece. Gentle Herd‘s 100% cashmere version has a timeless appeal and streamlined fit that looks great under a blazer or worn on its own.
The Grade-A Mongolian cashmere is pill-resistant and gets softer with every wear. I love the versatile color options like olive, smoke, and black. At $130 (on sale from $145), it‘s an easy way to elevate your sweater lineup.
Tapered Leg Cashmere Joggers
Guys love Gentle Herd‘s joggers just as much as the ladies do! This slim-fit style is made from pure cashmere that‘s warm and cozy, yet still lightweight and breathable – no sweaty situations here.
With an elastic waist and handy drawstring, these are the ultimate lounge pants that still look plenty presentable for running errands or casual plans. Scoop them up in versatile hues like black, navy, or olive for $195.
Cashmere Sweat Shorts
For ultimate luxury WFH attire, you can‘t beat a pair of cashmere sweat shorts. Gentle Herd‘s version is crafted from 100% Grade-A cashmere in a comfortable mid-rise silhouette.
The elastic waistband and drawstring provide flexibility, while the spacious pockets can handle your house keys and phone. Wear them with a plain white tee and sneakers for easygoing spring style. At $175, they‘re definitely a worthwhile splurge.
Gentle Herd‘s Ethics & Sustainability Practices
As I mentioned earlier, one of the key things that sets Gentle Herd apart is its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices at every level. Let‘s take a closer look at how the brand backs up its eco-friendly claims.
Animal Welfare
With a name like "Gentle Herd", it‘s no surprise that animal wellbeing is a top priority. The company works exclusively with Mongolian herders who follow strict ethical guidelines for cashmere production.
This includes providing plenty of space for grazing, using cruelty-free combing techniques to gather wool, and keeping herd sizes small to prevent overgrazing. No animals are ever harmed.
Fair Labor Practices
In addition to its gentle treatment of animals, Gentle Herd also ensures its human workers are respected at every stage of the supply chain. The brand partners with family-run farms in Mongolia and ensures fair wages and labor rights are upheld.
By helping these heritage farms thrive, Gentle Herd is preserving a traditional way of life and providing a sustainable livelihood for hundreds of skilled artisans. The brand also invests a portion of proceeds back into its partner communities.
What Customers Are Saying
With thousands of positive reviews, it‘s clear that Gentle Herd is making a lot of cashmere dreams come true. On the brand‘s website, best-selling items like the Oversized Cashmere Turtleneck and Mid-Rise Joggers have hundreds of 5-star reviews.
Customers rave about the incredibly soft and high-quality cashmere, noting that Gentle Herd‘s pieces rival what they‘ve purchased for triple the price from luxury brands. Many reviewers also mention the beautiful colors, chic designs, and impressive durability.
The glowing feedback isn‘t limited to the products – shoppers also praise Gentle Herd‘s fast shipping, easy return process, and friendly customer service. The few complaints are promptly resolved by the brand‘s helpful team.
On the independent review site Trustpilot, Gentle Herd has a respectable 3.6 out of 5 star overall rating. The vast majority of customers rate the company as "Excellent", citing the top-notch quality, wonderful fit, and unbeatable value.
Policies, Promotions & Perks
Before you start filling up your cart with cozy cashmere, here are the need-to-know details about shipping, returns, and promos:
- Free US shipping on orders over $200
- Flat-rate shipping of $10 on smaller orders
- Easy 28-day return window (final sale items excluded)
- Free returns and exchanges on eligible items
- 10% off your first order when you join the email list
- Frequent sitewide sales (like 20% off select styles)
Gentle Herd also offers a rewards program where you can earn points to redeem for discounts. Perks include early access to sales and a special gift on your birthday.
The Final Verdict
After thorough research into the brand, its practices, and real customer experiences, I can confidently declare that Gentle Herd gets my seal of approval. This company is the real deal when it comes to quality cashmere at fair prices.
But Gentle Herd offers so much more than just a great product and value. By supporting ethical production and traditional artisans, Gentle Herd allows you to invest in a kinder fashion economy with every purchase.
If you‘re ready to treat yourself to some seriously luxurious cashmere that you‘ll feel great about wearing, I highly recommend checking out Gentle Herd‘s collection. With free returns, you really have nothing to lose – except for maybe your old, pilly sweaters.
Similar brands to consider:
- Naadam – A fellow DTC brand with comparably-priced Mongolian cashmere
- Naked Cashmere – Higher price point but also super soft, ethical cashmere
- Everlane – Affordable cashmere basics with a focus on transparency
