How Do I Choose Sweaters That Last?
Cheat code: read the label. Natural fibers (100% wool or quality cashmere) pill less over time and deliver a lower cost per wear than synthetic blends. If you’re grabbing the fast-fashion knit anyway, baby it in the wash and keep a fabric shaver on standby. Sweaters are a key part of cold weather fits. The same cardigan can be worn with jeans for an errands run on the weekend. A sweater can be added to a skirt for a Thanksgiving look or glammed up for a Christmas party. They’re true cold weather wardrobe workhorses, and depending on where you live, they may be a year round staple. So when you see a cute sweater online, it’s tempting to click “add to cart” immediately, but before you do, it’s worth checking what it’s actually made of. How cute are these sweaters from Amazon? However, the two cute sweaters pictured (the styling is genuinely great! I love the shape of them and am not trying to be mean) are composed of high-pilling-risk materials. It is impossible to give an exact number of wears as pilling depends on the garment’s construction, how tight the knit is, and how much friction it experiences (e.g., rubbing under the arms, under a seatbelt, or against a bag), or how long you wear the sweater (are you changing the second you get back home?), etc. However, based on the fiber content: Sweater Composition Pilling Risk Level Est. Wears Before Noticeable Pilling Pictured Sweaters (Acrylic, Nylon, Poly, Rayon) High to Very High Can start in as little as 1 to 5 wears/washes. 100% Wool / Quality Cashmere Moderate (Initial) Pilling is usually an initial shedding of short, loose fibers that slows down over time. A higher-quality sweater may never pill. Why the Pictured Sweaters Pill Quickly: The main implication is that the upfront price does not reflect the long-term cost. Sweater Type Initial Price Estimated Longevity (Wears) Estimated CPW Example Pictured Synthetics Lower Low (May look worn out after 10-20 wears) $40/10 wears = $4/wear 100% Wool Higher High (Can last 100+ wears or 10+ years with care) $150/100 wears = $1.50/wear 100% Cashmere Highest High (Can last 100+ wears or 10+ years with care) $250/100 wears = $2.50/wear Summary of CPW Analysis: My thesis is that you save money in the long run by choosing a more expensive item that you wear 50 times versus a cheap item you only wear 5-10 times, even if it is really cute and could be here in 2 days. It might be worth the hunt for a better composition. Q. Sure, sure, I hear you. I’m going to buy the fast-fashion anyway. How do I reduce pilling? A. Here are a few “best practices” to extend the life of those tempting fast fashion sweaters: Reduce Friction in the Wash: The washing machine is the number one cause of friction-related pilling. Avoid the Dryer at All Costs Synthetic fibers can be permanently damaged, or the pilling process can be accelerated, by high heat. Manage Pilling Even with the best care, synthetic blends will eventually pill. Removing pills quickly prevents them from spreading and gives the sweater a refreshed look. Q. Okay, I’m curious. How does this thinking about sweater composition and CPW apply to real life shopping? A. Become a label reader… or a “care and composition” box reader on the websites. Q. Can I have real world examples of sweaters you think will last longer and cost less per wear? A. Obviously, yes. Love you for that. Balzac This sweater’s styling caught my eye because it blends camel, navy, AND black so you can throw it on without thinking much (you know I live for easy clothes). Read the composition tag and it checks out for me: it combines luxury natural fibers (alpaca and merino wool) with recycled nylon, creating something that’s both exceptionally soft and built to last. Unlike synthetic blends that pill and wear out quickly, this is a sustainable investment that will stay beautiful for years. La Ligne I love a stripe to add interest to an outfit in an easy way. These sweaters are so easy to throw on. I love them more than I should and reach for them, in both the mini and regular. Le Lion If you have a strong sense of design and self, personalize a sweater for yourself. The sweaters are made in Italy and the embroidery in NYC. Lingua Franca These are 100% cashmere and there are so many fantastic design options. Hand stitched in NYC. Nadaam These are fantastic for the price. Get a fun color. Quince This brand is controversial in the design world for “stealing” designs. As a consumer though, they’re great for a real world friendly price and wearable, healthy cost per wear options, and I look here often for options when I need something. Second Hand And finally, if you’re a hunter, I’d try consignment/resale/thrift stores for the best deals on cute 100% wool or cashmere sweaters. If you’re crafty, you could free style embroider it and personalize it yourself. It could be so chic. Embroidering it would also be a good option to fix holes in the sweater. Real Life Buying Since you’re clicking ‘add to cart’ no matter what I say, here’s how to make that cute but synthetic Amazon sweater last longer than five wears: mesh bags, cold water, air drying, and a fabric shaver that you’ll embarrassingly use on everything from leggings to your car’s seatbelt. So here are the links, and none of them are affiliate (shocking, really). (I am so here for the cape moment) Use AMC Polls when you’re deciding between two “heck-yes” knits, then save the winner (and the full look) to Collections so you can repeat the magic without overthinking. These cute sweaters become part of outfits that are your winter uniform, and yes, they’re casual winter outfits you’ll actually wear. If you want extra help, post a pre-shopping poll in AMC and crowdsource the