Denise, coincidentally, I just saw a business interview on something that eluded to your issue. It isn't YOU or your expectations. It is a business model that more companies are adopting. I saw this piece on "fast fashion" and how Zara is the crowning glory of it. Apparently, Zara turns over clothing every 4 weeks. They are doing monthly "lookbooks" and other retailers can't keep up. It puts pressure on people to buy because the product will be gone the following month. Hang in there, I am getting to your observation. LOL. It comes down to mass sales and profit margins.

The Vince brand was suppose to go public this past Summer. Which put it under immense profit margin pressure. They are using many of the same factories as the Gap and other brands now. ( I am a bit of finance geek. ) They don't have the ability to sell a ton of product, so the only way to go was to lower quality.

It is unfortunate.

Sympathies here too on the pilling dilemma! And also on the disappointment in some of the expensive brands. Anything with cashmere these days seems to pill horribly.

I've been very disappointed in some of the Inhabit one's I have bought. Even though I bought them on their 70 percent off sale, still, they are an expensive brand. I did not write to them, but I did stop buying them. (having said that, their overpriced all cotton tanks are some of my favorites).

The best wearing wearing sweater I have had is a men's, from a Scottish brand, I'd give you the name but it doesn't have the tag in it any more….that's how much I've worn it. I've heard good things about Scottish cashmere. I'm often tempted by beautiful knits too but have found they are an unpredictable investment.

Denise - so sorry to hear about the pilling. We were talking about this issue on another thread in reference to AT. I bought the James Perse sweater shirt dress twice (and that's not even wool) because of pilling but I loved it. Now I limit belts and shave it regularly. But it's across the board and erratic. I do not thing clothing compares in quality to the 90's. I have Lord and Taylor and Bloomies cashmere that looks almost new and a JCrew cardi was pilled in two wears. I can only tell you that the sweaters you bought all look stunning stylewise on you. If you can handle major shaving hopefully you can get enough wear out of them to minimize the damage. I do agree with IC that the "rub" test is a fabulous idea before buying and that a letter to Vince and the store might get you some satisfaction. Big cyber hugs to you but if it makes it one drop better we are all in the same "pillly" boat!!

I would be steamed and more had I had the same experience, esp. at that price point. The only thing I can say if you venture into Vince or similarly priced knits is to buy them at Nordstrom. I'm sure they would give you a refund if the pilling were horrible after two wears; I would be hesitant to ask after a year. That still begs the question of having a cool looking unpilled sweater. I hate rayon knits due to their instant pilliness; they are nice and soft and drape well but start pilling in the store!

I don't think your expectations are too high... it's the quality that's too low. I have what is to-me an expensive cashmere sweater, and I have to say that if it pills quickly I'll be very hesitant to try it again. The $140 I'm spending is big money for us and it really needs to last. If all knits are going to pill quickly, I might as well save my money and buy the cheap stuff.

Very sorry to hear about the pilling issue. That really sucks. I went with LLBean this year because their old stuff stood the test of time and also because they have their famous unconditional guarantee. So if my new sweaters don't wear well, they'll go back for a refund.

Denise, I'm posting to sympathize too. Sweaters are challenging. I think Diana is right on about the issue with softness although I see it more as a problem with softness + fluffiness. Soft, fluffy yarns, even ones that are extremely expensive, are just generally more prone to pilling. Very frustrating!

Pilling is frustrating, but I feel like I can do something about it. I run a sweater comb over my sweaters to refresh them. My Vince ombre sweater from this Fall is holding up okay, but I have had to run a sweater comb over it. I just see that as maintenance with a soft, fluffy sweater.

What drives me crazy? Tencel/lyocell. I find it almost impossible to invest in anything with it. It always seems to pill and just look shabby too quickly. So distressing because it drapes so beautifully and feels so soft. Sadness.

Cocolion I am sorry for your disappointment with Vince. I think you should call them and tell them what you told us! And tell them why you won't be buying their stock or recommending it! These corporations need to LISTEN to their consumers. It makes you feel just totally taken for granted when you dish out good $ on a hip brand, only to have it FAIL you. Vince sweaters should not be "disposable" garments! Especially at that ridiculous price point.

I am so sorry to hear about your sweaters. I would be (and have been) miffed too. If I am spending good money I expect stuff to last. And it's always a gamble, unfortunately. Often my sweaters do well, until they are dry cleaned. Then they always seem to shrink a little. And I've tried many dry cleaners to no avail. The only success with no pilling that I've had with brands in the past few years have been JCrew cashmere, Lord and Taylor Cashmere and Theory wool sweaters. None are easy on the budget but at least I get multiple seasons out of them. All my other sweaters seem to be one season wonders no matter the price point lately.

Cocolion I am sorry for your disappointment with Vince. I think you should call them and tell them what you told us! And tell them why you won't be buying their stock or recommending it! These corporations need to LISTEN to their consumers. It makes you feel just totally taken for granted when you dish out good $ on a hip brand, only to have it FAIL you. Vince sweaters should not be "disposable" garments! Especially at that ridiculous price point.

Thank you for so many thoughtful replies. I am on the road (don't worry, not driving) and as soon as I land I'll respond!

So I went and studied my Vince sweater. The purple 100% cashmere is not pilling. The wool/cashmere is pilling a bit where my necklace rubbed. My others were from consignment and are in good shape. The Joie is holding up okay so far. I think a science project is in order!

I share your frustration with quality levels these days even when one pays a relatively high price.

I had heard less than great things about Vince so I bought a 'Line' cashmere cardigan instead and it is pilling and looking kind of "thin". For the price I expected better.

Virtually none of the knitwear I've purchased in the past year or so has held up regardless of price point.

I have never shopped at Bloomingdale's, and don't know anything about their customer service, but if I had bought that charcoal circle cardigan at Nordstrom, I would have returned it (and called customer service to speak with the about it if I couldn't return at the store). If a return isn't an easy option, I think Texstyle's idea about photographing the pilling evidence and sending a receipt with your letter is a great idea. And, of course, writing Vince is an excellent idea.

I too would complain to the company. Send them pictures too, if you can. The worst they can say is, "We apologize for the inconvenience." But maybe they will offer you some kind of compensation. Maybe other customers have complained about the same problems.

What I have read about pilling is that it is more of a problem with synthetic fibers. Natural fibers are not generally as strong as synthetic, so when natural fibers pill, the pills break off pretty easily, usually in the washing machine. So you never even really notice them. But with synthetic fibers, the strength of the fiber prevents the pill from breaking off. Therefore, they just multiply like rabbits and get all twisted and knotted up in themselves. I have also read that clothing made from a mix of fibers is more likely to pill due to the different lengths of the fibers involved--the varying lengths lead to more loose ends, which creates more twisting and pilling.

I switched to predominantly natural fibers some years ago (I do allow some rayon, which I think is actually made from wood pulp, and spandex, since it's in everything!), and I have had very little problems with pilling since then. My biggest piller is an old cardigan that is 100% acrylic.

I'm glad to hear so many good things about J.Crew cashmere. Now if they would start carrying petite cashmere so I could try them out...