Ladies Sweaters

The secret to buying Ladies Sweaters that won’t fall apart

You found a stylish Ladies sweaters at your favorite store that looked great off the rack. But after wearing and washing it a few times, you see it’s pilling up, or linting off on everything it brushes against, or even starting to fall apart at the seams. Don’t make that mistake again. We spoke to experts to find out how to choose sweaters that will last.

Reach for natural fibers first

The top recommendation from the experts we interviewed: If you want a sweater to be with you for longer than a season, stay away from synthetic yarns containing acrylic, rayon, and/or polyester.

“Higher quality sweaters tend to be composed of natural fibers, such as merino wool, cashmere, alpaca, and linen,” says Celia Cahill, Vice President of Off-Site Education at the Knitting Guild Association. “Many commercial sweaters are made of acrylic and acrylic blends, which are usually easier to care for and washable, but are not as breathable and comfortable to wear, and don’t always wear well over time.”

If possible, try to stick with one natural fabric per sweater, rather than blends. This won’t always be possible—100 percent cashmere sweaters are luxurious, yes, but they often have luxurious price tags to go along with them but it can be helpful to narrow down your purchasing options if you decide to get sweaters made with only one or two natural fibers. Having a sweater made of just one material also helps prevent pilling and degradation of the sweater over time. 

That said, you don’t have to stick with just one staple natural fiber to fill your sweater drawer. Maggie Mee, head of merchandising at Trunk Club T says buying sweaters in a wide range of fabrics is a great way to keep them in your wardrobe year-round. “I recommend starting with a high-quality cashmere sweater. It’s so cozy and makes a timeless addition to your wardrobe that will last for several seasons,” she says. “If you live in a cooler climate, a wool sweater is great for keeping you warm. Cotton sweaters are perfect fall and spring transition pieces and usually are more cost-effective than heavier sweaters.”

You can also grab the odd acrylic or poly blend, if it’s a piece you really love and you understand it won’t be the coziest thing you own, and it probably won’t be with you forever.