Jenni Kayne Review: An Honest Take After 3.5 Years and a Closet Full of Their Knits

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Everything here is a piece I bought with my own money and have worn for years. These are my real opinions, pilling and all.

I bought my first Jenni Kayne piece about three and a half years ago. It was the Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan, and I had seen it a million times on Instagram before I ever touched one in person. Then I walked into the store in Lido and felt it, and I was done. Three and a half years and more than a dozen pieces later (most of them sweaters and cardigans), I think I can give you a real answer to the question everyone is asking when it comes to this Southern California brand: is Jenni Kayne worth it?

This is my full Jenni Kayne review. I am going to walk through every piece I own, including a detailed look at their sweaters, the sizing quirks I wish someone had told me about, the one piece that snagged on my ring (on my first wear!), and where I land on the Jenni Kayne versus Quince debate (I own both, so I can tell you exactly how they compare).

Is Jenni Kayne Worth It?

Here is my personal verdict: Jenni Kayne is worth it if you have the disposable income for it, and they truly shine when it comes to their luxe knitwear. If money is not a source of stress and you are building a wardrobe of pieces you will wear for years, these are beautiful, and I reach for mine constantly.

But, If you have five hundred dollars to spend on clothing for the entire year, I would not spend it on a single Jenni Kayne piece. The value is real, but it is a splurge, and it only makes sense as a splurge. Their sweaters and cardigans are where the magic is. The rest of the line is fine, just not exciting enough to justify the price for most people.

So the short version: yes for knitwear if the budget is comfortable, and a maybe for everything else.

Jenni Kayne Sweater Reviews

This is the heart of the brand and the reason I keep coming back. Here is every Jenni Kayne sweater and cardigan I own and what I like/don’t like about each.

Alpaca Cocoon Cardigan (my most-worn lately)

I own the Alpaca Cocoon in a white cream color, and it has become my most-worn sweater over the last few years. The off-white is so versatile that it goes with almost everything in my closet. Plus, it elevates every single look I put it with. If you have been scrolling past the neutrals thinking a cream sweater is impractical, this is the one that changed my mind. It is beautiful, soft, and it makes a plain outfit feel intentional. (Currently around $295, which makes it one of the more approachable knits in the lineup.)

How I wear it:

• I love the contrast of the oversized sweater with a fitted bodycon dress.
• Classic cocoon styling with a crewneck tee and straight leg jeans.

Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan (the icon, and my favorite)

The Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan is the piece that started it all for me, and it is still my absolute favorite. It is their most iconic style for a reason. I own it in heather brown and in a deep marigold and its a dream. The cashmere is unbelievably soft and it is cozy while being luxurious.

Does it pill? Yes. Is it so annoying that a $500 sweater pills? Also, yes. But I keep a cashmere comb on hand and a few minutes of combing keeps it looking new (and it does takes noticeably longer to pill than the more budget-friendly cashmere I own). My only regret here is that I got my color palette done AFTER I bought these sweaters and wish I had them in a dusty blue or grey.

How I wear the cashmere cocoon:

My everyday version is the cocoon over a white tee with a great pair of straight denim, usually my AGOLDE straight crop jeans. Easy and pulled together. I also love throwing it over a fitted maxi or a body-con dress and just letting it hang over my shoulders. The contrast of that big oversized knit against a sleek fitted dress is so chic.

And then there is the date-night version. When I want it to read a little less casual, I skip the white tee and wear the cardigan on its own, buttoned so you get the V-neck. It is a little bit sexier that way, still soft and cozy, but more elevated. Pair that with a great dark wash denim + heeled boot and you have an outfit that works for dinner but is still very comfortable.

Shop the iconic cashmere cocoon

Cashmere Fisherman Sweater

I own the Cashmere Fisherman in heather brown and I love it so so much. It is soft in a way that does not feel delicate, and it has that classic fisherman rib that looks elevated with jeans or under the wrap coat I will get to in a minute. It does pill eventually, but again, it takes longer to pill than cheaper cashmere, which is part of what you are paying for. Currently $395.

Shop the cashmere fisherman sweater (I’m dying over the season color this year!)

Cable Cocoon Cardigan

I have the Cable Cocoon in two colors, black and oatmeal, and I really like it, with one caveat. It is very oversized and very thick. I have a little harder time styling this one so it doesn’t look bulky. It is gorgeous and cozy, but it is not as versatile that the regular cocoon is. When skinnier/ more fitted jeans are in regular rotation, this style is easier to wear but if you’re committed to wide leg denim right now, there is too much bulk with this sweater.

Shop updated Cable Cocoon Cardigan (its a little less bulky!)

Cropped Cotton Cocoon Cardigan

I own the Cropped Cotton Cocoon in brown, in a medium, and the medium is way too big for me. I would love this in a smaller size, because the piece itself is fantastic. If you want the cocoon look in a shorter, less dramatic silhouette, this is a great option, just pay close attention to sizing and size down if you can. (Currently around $345.)

Cabin Sweater

I don’t usually gravitate toward black but thought this would be a great everyday piece. I was SO frustrated when my ring snagged on the cotton the first time I put it on. I tried to fix it, I took it to a tailor who made some progress, but it was still noticeable. I like the cut of this sweater (a little boxy and cropped) but if you’re not going to go cashmere, I’d order the Quince cotton fisherman instead and not feel so bad if you snag it.

Jenni Kayne Sizing Guide: Does It Run True to Size?

Jenni Kayne knitwear is designed to be oversized, and it runs large. That is intentional. If you want the relaxed, slouchy look you see in their photos, take your normal size. If you want something a little more fitted, or if you are between sizes, size down. I personally size down in several of the cocoon cardigans and I am happy I did.

The one place this rule breaks is their pants. My pants do not run large at all. If anything they run a touch small, which is confusing given how generous the knitwear is, so do not assume the oversized sizing carries across the whole brand. Check their sizing guidelines/measurements for pieces that aren’t knitwear.

A quick reference for how I bought my pieces:

Piece	Size I bought	Note
Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan	Sized down	Runs large, very oversized
Cable Cocoon Cardigan	Sized down	Even more oversized and thick
Cropped Cotton Cocoon	Medium	Too big on me, would size down
Cashmere Fisherman	True to my size	Boxy by design
Oiled Leather Mule	My regular shoe size	True to size
Pony Hair Sandal	My regular shoe size	True to size
Cashmere Wrap Coat	True to my size
Pants	True to size	Run small, not large

Jenni Kayne Shoe Reviews

Oiled Leather Mule

I love the Oiled Leather Mule. I took my regular size and they fit true to size. They are comfortable, they are beautiful, and they have earned their place in my regular rotation for a couple of years now. Currently $395.

Pony Hair Crossover Sandal

I have worn the Pony Hair Crossover Sandals regularly for a couple of years, and at this point they are a little beat up, which I think says more about how often I wear them than about the quality. They are comfortable, they are gorgeous, and I took my regular size. If you want a sandal that does a lot of styling work, these deliver. These were an impulse purchase and have been my most worn summer shoe for the last two years. The cost per wear is excellent.

Jenni Kayne Cashmere Wrap Coat: My Favorite Piece

If I had to pick a single favorite Jenni Kayne piece, it would be the Cashmere Wrap Coat. I own it in a dark green, and it was a splurge I made when we moved to Utah and I thought we would be living in cold weather permanently.

Here is why I love it so much: it is absurdly versatile. I throw it over a sweatsuit to run errands or do school drop-off and it instantly makes me look pulled together. And then I wore that same coat over a ball gown when I was in Washington, DC for the inauguration. A coat that works for carpool and for a black-tie event is rare. It is comfortable, it is beautiful, and it is the one piece I would save up for and buy again in another color. (Currently around $695.)

Jenni Kayne Dresses, Tops, and Pants

This is the part of the line that I find fine but not exciting.

Boyfriend Shirt and Lightweight Flannel

These two are the exception in the non-knitwear category, because I genuinely love both. I reach for the Boyfriend Shirt far more often. It happens to be the perfect colorway for my coloring, and it is just a really great everyday shirt. The Lightweight Flannel is lovely too, I just wear the boyfriend shirt more (probably because flannel should we worn in the fall and when its “fall” in Southern California, it is still 80 degrees). (Boyfriend Shirt currently $275, Lightweight Flannel currently $195.)

James Dress and Pants

I have one of their dresses and one pair of their pants, and neither is exciting to me. They have held up fine, there is nothing wrong with them, they just are not pieces I get excited to put on. The pants run a little small, as I mentioned, so size accordingly. Maybe I did not order the right styles, but for the price I expected to love them more than I do. If your budget is limited, I would put it toward the knitwear instead.

Jenni Kayne Accessories and Home

Cashmere Pillows

The cashmere pillows are on my couch right now and they are beautiful and so soft. If you want one easy way to bring the Jenni Kayne feel into your home, these are it. These do pill eventually and I have been meaning to comb them through but haven’t yet.

They’re updated these to an alpaca pillow (still soft, will pill less…and a better price point than they were).

Woven Raffia Tote

This was another impulse “add to cart” a few years ago and it gets complaints online about falling apart. Mine is still together, but I do not use it very often, and I can see why people worry about it. It does not feel like the most well-made thing in my closet, and it is a little scratchy, so it is not something you want against bare skin. It is a pretty bag, and I think it would be a great beach tote if you are bringing a book and a snack. But when I go to the beach I am toting four children and I need a giant bag that can have snacks spilled all over it, so it does not get much use from me. Pretty, but not the best value at $175.

Shop all Jenni Kayne bags (why are they so chic?)

Cotton Canvas Sun Hat

I own the Cotton Canvas Sun Hat and it does its job. It is a nice piece and gives great sun coverage.

What I Would Not Buy

In the spirit of an full review, here is where I would tell you to save your money. I would skip the pants and the dress unless you have tried them on and love the fit, because mine are fine but not memorable. I would think twice about the raffia tote unless you specifically want a light beach bag and you are not hard on your things. And I would be cautious with the very thick cable knits.

None of these are bad pieces. They just are not where Jenni Kayne really shines.

Jenni Kayne vs Quince: Are the Dupes Worth It?

This is the comparison I get asked about the most and after a few years of owning both, I have thoughts. I have the Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan from Jenni Kayne and the Cashmere Boyfriend Cardigan from Quince, which is the closest dupe.

When you hold them side by side, the Jenni Kayne is noticeably better quality (unfortunate for your wallet but not surprising). It is a little thicker, a little softer, and it takes longer to pill. So if you have the budget, the Jenni Kayne is the better cardigan.

But if we think about the math…. the Jenni Kayne is about four times the price, and it is not four or five times nicer. The Quince piece is a great dupe, and I love mine. If your budget is the deciding factor, you will not be disappointed in the Quince. If quality and longevity are what you care about most and you can spend the five hundred dollars, the Jenni Kayne is worth the difference.

This same quality argument doesn’t hold when it comes to the cotton sweaters from Quince vs Jenni Kayne. While Jenni Kayne, hands down, wins when it comes to cashmere, I find the cotton fisherman sweaters from Quince hold up BETTER than the cotton fisherman sweater I have from Jenni Kayne. Definitely skip the JK cotton fisherman and go for the Quince version under $50.

I broke this comparison down in even more detail in my full Quince cashmere review, and you can shop the Quince Cashmere Boyfriend Cardigan if you want to start with the more affordable option.

How to Care for Jenni Kayne Cashmere

I hardly ever wash my cashmere. For the most part, I do not wear these pieces directly against my skin. I almost always have a white t-shirt underneath, so I wash the t-shirt and leave the cashmere alone. When I do get something on a sweater, I spot treat it rather than washing the whole thing.

On the rare occasion a piece does need a full wash, I use a delicate wash and lay it flat to dry on a towel. Never hang cashmere to dry, please please please. The weight of the water and sweater will stretch it out as its drying (or even when its already dry and hanging in your closet). I recommend keeping a cashmere comb or sweater stone on hand for pilling, because every cashmere sweater pills eventually, even the good ones. Combing takes a few minutes and makes a worn sweater look new again.

I also store all my Jenni Kayne sweaters folded instead of hung up. Did you know that hanging your sweaters stretches them out over time? I added a hanging closet organizer to the closer and have all my sweaters folded in those.

Where to Buy Jenni Kayne (and How to Save)

Jenni Kayne rarely goes on deep sale, and their classic shades are usually excluded from promotions, so do not wait around for a big markdown on the core neutrals. That said, here is how I actually save.

The secondhand market for Jenni Kayne is excellent because the pieces hold up so well. I regularly see their sweaters and coats on The RealReal and on ThredUp, often for a fraction of retail and in great condition. Shopbop also carries a selection of Jenni Kayne and will put pieces on sale, which is one of the more reliable ways to get a discount on a current-season style. Poshmark is another great option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

After three and a half years and more than a dozen pieces, I love Jenni Kayne. Jenni Kayne is a knitwear brand first, and that is where I would spend your money. The Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan, the Alpaca Cocoon, the Cashmere Fisherman, and the Cashmere Wrap Coat are the pieces I wear constantly and would buy again. The dresses, pants, and accessories are fine, just not where the brand earns its price tag.

If you have the budget and you want pieces that will last for years and look better than their cost-per-wear suggests, Jenni Kayne delivers. If money is tight, buy secondhand, start with a dupe, and save the splurge for the one cashmere piece you will reach for every single week.