I'm sick and tired of sweaters that pill - YouLookFab Forum

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I'm sick and tired of sweaters that pill

Anonymous

No matter how much $ I spend on sweaters or where I buy them from or how well I take care of them, most of my sweaters pill and don't last more than a season or two. I'm now thinking I'd be better off wearing layers, which is why I purchased those drapey jackets from HSN and the striped jacket from Talbot's. Is anyone else as fed up as I am?

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

LaPed

Veteran

This seems to be a recent trend and probably the result of cheaper and cheaper manufacturing across all pricepoints -- seems to be a flood of low-level merino and cashmere these days.

If you're up to shopping secondhand, that can be a good way to find high-quality knits -- you'll be able to see which ones have pilled over time and which hold up better. Or, maybe buy less and stick with commissioned handknit sweaters from local crafters and/or Etsy?

Also, I really love my cheapo sweater shaver -- it can't make everything look brand new again, but it really does help: http://www.knitpicks.com/cfAcc.....38;gclid=C

I think a little lint over the course of a sweater's lifetime is par for the course with wool, but stuff that starts pilling after just a couple of wears is ridiculously poor quality.

deb

Veteran

I was in Anthropologie a couple of weeks ago and saw pre-pilled sweaters on the racks. If it becomes a trend then we can wear out old pilled sweaters proudly, lol.

Anonymous

That's crazy, deb, really?? I'll start holding on to my pillers and hope this catches on. Hurray, I can stop shaving them!

Anonymous

I don't think I would buy a "pre-pilled sweater." Call me old fashioned .... but ....

Anonymous

I have a shaver, and use it. Btw, that green sweater that YLF'ers have said looks great on me now has a hole in it. I've worn it a number of times, yes, but now enough to get to low CPW. I was going to wear it today, but had to switch gears when I saw the hole--right in front.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I agree about the new sweater pilling. I've gotten sweaters from JCrew and Nordstrom, any they've pilled horribly. It's so annoying how quality had gone down the last few years.

Eliza

Veteran

I feel your pain, BC. I have been surprised that pilling and price point are not necessarily related. Have several merino JCrew cardigans that pilled after 2-3 light wears. Very disappointed as the price point would have raised expectations. Also have some pricey cashmere that pills, as well as some Uniqlo cashmere that didn't. Hard to anticipate how any particular item will wear.

Pre-pilled? That's a bit of genius on the manufacturer's part.

Roxanna

Veteran

Agreed. My Tippi sweaters wear after just one season, and I HATE the look of pilling. I'm slowly going against my comfy knit-wearing nature and migrating to more wovens, which stand up better and fit my dressier style.

Also, I try more substantial knit jackets now - they are cosier and still provide the dressy factor, much like your drapey jackets, BC.

Anonymous

I do love the knit jacket I'm wearing today. It's every bit as comfortable as cardigan and looks a little better for work, I think. I feel like I'm wearing a lightweight sweatshirt.

Anonymous

Almost all my sweaters are cashmere, and expensive, who would have thunk it I have to shave them all the time. Bad enough to have to shave arms and legs.

Chris987

Veteran

Agree with everyone....seems that most sweaters pill regardless of fabric, quality etc. I got a cotton/wool blend JJill sweater at a thrift store recently and after I washed it once it practically grew fuzz before my eyes. After 15 minutes with the de-fuzzer it was not much better. None of the advice about blends vs pure wool or good vs poor quality seems to matter any more. Fleece is a good substitute for very casual/sporty wear, and often warmer, but not useful for non-sporty looks, and the low-quality fleece has it's own wear issues.

rabbit

Veteran

I have a heavy duty electric depiller, a sweater stone, and (my fav) the little comb depiller for fine/hairy sweaters. I hate pills, and if I can't remove them, something goes to lounge wear. I stay far away from acrylic, and very cautious about buying thin knits made of anything.

Sweaters I've had with angora in them (although I don't want to buy it new) and pure cotton sweaters or knitted fabric strip sweaters, rather than yarn, seem to have held up the best in my closet.

barbaraq

I so agree, pilling is just so not acceptable! I have taken to shopping for pre-worn EF clothing at the Green Eileen store here in Seattle, so I can tell if a sweater is or will pill. I have had bad luck with new EF knits in the last year or so. This so shouldn't happen at the price of her clothing. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for the pilling factor in new clothing.

deb

Veteran

I find it funny that I have 3 H&M rayon sweaters that have not pilled at all and I have had them for four years and wear them weekly during the cooler weather.

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Anonymous

My Ralph Lauren & Lands End sweaters are okay so far, but that's about it. They're rather new, though, so time will tell. The rest of my sweaters are disappointing.

Keix

Veteran

Deb, I have owned that exact H&M sweater in the past! It washed up beautifully, although I eventually decided that the oversized fit wasn't flattering on me.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I feel your pain! Just when you fall in love with a sweater.............
And yes, I also notice it happening across pricepoints. I also notice that soft acrylic seems to be a bad-boy fiber when it comes to pilling.