So DONE with cheap cashmere - YouLookFab Forum

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So DONE with cheap cashmere

catgirl

Veteran

I worked the early shift today and got dressed in the semi-dark - citron cashmere tunic from Nordie's, ponte skinnies, boots. Well, in the light of day I am horrified to see how much this tunic has pilled! Yes, it was not that expensive but I've only worn it three times! It looks like it is crumbling to bits!

WHY?!

Lesson learned...when cashmere is cheap, there's probably a reason.

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33 replies

Latest reply was from christieanne

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

You missed my story about my cashmere hoodie that a big hole ripped in each armpit.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh god. I didn't see that but how aggravating. The new one?

deb

Veteran

This is one of the reasons I do like cashmere even the more expensive cashmere.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Oh no, it was an old one, cheapie from sample sale site. But it was less than two, perhaps only even one year old.
I plan to buy a new Black Goat 4-ply hoodie in grey, next time I'm in Vancouver or Whistler.

Jonesy

Veteran

I read this article maybe 2 months ago (can't find it now, of course) written by this expert on natural fibers, yarns, knitting, etc. She said that cashmere is oftentimes prone to pilling, especially if it's blended with other softer fibers, and recommends merino wool instead if you want durability, softness, and warmth. I have a few merino sweaters that are maybe 15 years old and don't have any pilling.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jonesy!!!! <faints with fuchsia crash helmet in pleasure....>

Una, I am so with you.

One of my Halogen sweaters (the dot one) is the same. The first one I bought had a big hole so I exchanged it -- that should have taught me -- it pills like mad. Angie has the same sweater, as does Sveta, but I am not sure if it has pilled as badly for them.

Joyce B

Veteran

If it's from Nordstroms you can probably return it.

catgirl

Veteran

Aw, Suz - I feel your pain! And your joy at seeing JONESY on the forum! We miss you, Jonesy!

Peri

Veteran

Una, I'm actually grieving a little over my Joie sweater. It is looking fuzzing, mostly down the left side...and I haven't even worn it driving or anything where I could blame the seatbelt. I've worn it probably 6 times, and it was so NOT cheap. That sweater is the most expensive single item I've ever bought. It isn't horrible, and I love it so I will continue to wear, but I was hoping for better wear.

On the flip side, my Nordstrom collection cashmere, which was about half the price...something like $130...is not showing wear nearly as much, and I have worn it just as often.

So who knows? It seems random. But has your Joie shown fuzzing?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Very good cashmere does not pill like that. Very good cashmere is also hard to find and expensive.

Sorry, Una.

catgirl

Veteran

Peri, my Joie sweaters are holding up really well so far. I just got them dry cleaned and am going to pick them up - will reinspect. Sorry yours is not holding up! I'm finding darker colors to hold up better, weirdly. GRRR. My Vince sweaters are pilling like mad though!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I think Vince cashmere is crap. Especially for that price.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

http://www.emzegsteppe.com/cashmere-faq.html

This may help. My old cashmere is still great but I've not had much luck with anything made in China, even if it is Italian yarn.

Gigi

Veteran

I don't have any cashmere, except for a sweater skirt that has only 5% cashmere. I had wanted to get some but will now think twice. For those of you who posted here about problems with pilling, was your cashmere a blend? Or was it 100% cashmere? I'm wondering about Jonesy's comment regarding pilling being increased in a blend.

catgirl

Veteran

Mine is 100% but none of it is that old school quality cashmere from back when I couldn't afford it....

April

Veteran

The Isle of Skye website (Scottish cashmere) says this: "The short fibers of lower quality cashmere create the "pills" that are a telltale sign of lower cost, poor quality cashmere sweaters."

All well and good, but it must be said that their truly fine cashmere isn't particularly stylish...

rae

(website)

Veteran

Feedback says Equipment cashmere holds up better than other brands of similar price point. Other than that, Scottish or Mongolian is the way to go... and if it is in any way edgy or cool in style, expect it to be $$$$$.

Thistle

Veteran

I hear ya! I had hoped the cashmere I bought would last much longer and better than it has. *sigh*

If I could find cashmere that reliably didn't pull and look ratty, I would pay more for it. But so far, I have not necessarily been able to equate price with quality. But then, I have not ventured into the $500+ cashmere either.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, my really "pilly" sweater is a blend. And it was cheap. So I am not surprised and will live with it. But I have a better sweater that I got at Winner's!

My best cashmere has come from my husband. Old -- really old -- turtleneck sweaters of his, bought in England in the 70s! -- that I still wear. The only problem is that they are SO heavy and warm, I really only wear them for skating.

Adelfa

Veteran

I have cashmere that is 30 years old with no pills. So it's not the fiber itself. I have a new sweater that's Aqua that's not pilling. At the same price point ($200), the sweater I got DD for Christmas 2012 from AT has pilled horribly. Price doesn't correlate with pills. It seems like cashmere is a risk. Buy from a place where you can return it if it does.

I hate all this because I love cashmere!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Cashmere brands that I recommend:
Inhabit
Malo
TSE, TSE Say, TSE Surface
Lutz and Patmos (now defunct but can be found via resale)
Katayone Adeli (ditto, be warned runs very small)
Everlane
Christopher Fisher
Vintage: anything with Hawick or Hawicko in the name, Dalton, Pringle, Lyle & Scott, Altmann, Lord and Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, Barneys

I find JCrew, Vince, Autumn Cashmere, Qi, and others to be of spotty quality. Feel them first - do they feel substantial? Then do the rub test. Take the hem and rub briskly for 15-30 seconds. If you raise any fibers, pass.

I'll jump back in if I remember others. I really love cashmere.

deb

Veteran

Did you see my research post?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Everlane, really? I'm intrigued and impressed.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

This has been an educational thread PLUS I almost fainted - Jonesy is back!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

My navy Eric Bombard sweater is 70% cashmere, 30% silk and holds up well. DH's 100% cashmere from EB is also a good qality and has held up fine through a lot of wear over the past year. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one from that brand.

Diana

Veteran

Boo to cheap cashmere. I must say that I've looked around (not very hard) at this year's cashmere offerings and been disappointed even with the quality on the rack. I don't think the current trend towards feather weight and other thin cashmere sweaters is a good idea. Cashmere is by nature a weak fiber (compared to other wools) which is what makes it soft. I think a lot of manufacturers are making super thin, loosely knit ones nowadays to save on fiber costs, but it also means they are super prone to holes. ETA: If you hold it up and can see through it, put it back on the rack!

Merino is weak too but it's cheaper so generally merino sweaters are more tightly knit and thicker, which adds strength.

If you want a stronger but still thin and soft sweater I recommend cashmere/silk or merino/silk blend. (Not very common these days though.)

Oh, and Una, as a last ditch effort: try shaving your pills with an actual razor (like for shaving your legs). Sometimes that can get pills off that nothing else can. A bit scary though to take a razor to your sweater!

Diana

Veteran

Oh, one more note. Cashmere is not a crisp knit, nor should it be. A little fuzzing/halo is normal, even on a good sweater, and it's what makes it soft. But it shouldn't form ugly, wormy pills.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks for all the commiseration and suggestions, ladies. I do have a sweater shaver that will be put to use, but the tunic is so thin it won't take long to shave right through it.

I do like merino but I don't find it quite as snuggly and cozy, probably the same reason it pills less. Sigh.

ironkurtin

Veteran

You don't need to sacrifice snuggle! Pillage for vintage!

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