from a newbie…significance of "pilling" on cashmere coat

[K2graphics]

Hi,

I'm a newbie + this is my 1st post. I've got a short time to consider buying a used 100% cashmere coat online that has some light pilling.

The coat didn't look terribly old (NOT old/vintage as in the 60s). Though the pictures would not show this (especially as it's a dark color), the description noted that there was some light pilling in a few places.

My ?s:​

• Should a coat that's 100% cashmere and not many decades old be pilling?
• Does this say anything about the quality of the textile?
• Could the pilling be easily removed?
• What are good methods to remove pilling from a cashmere coat?
• Is this a red flag signifying that an irreversible process has started?

Thanks so much in advance. I've enjoyed searching through and reading/viewing your site.

 

[retro ruth]

Hi and welcome

My understanding is that yes, pilling is a quality issue, as you suggest, not necessarily an age issue.

It's to do with the length of the fibres. The higher quality fabrics have longer fibres, which are less likely to pill, even when old. The cheaper fabrics have shorter fibres which have a greater tendency to pill.

You can carefully remove pilling with a shaver - there are special 'sweater shavers' especially for this, and I don't see why they wouldn't work on coats (ie woven fabric) as well. I've used these and found it's generally easier to remove pilling from natural fibres than from synthetics.

I don't know if it will keep pilling after you shave it, but if it does, you can shave it again. However certainly a newish coat that is already pilling is probably not of the highest quality.

A certain amount of pilling though, may be inevitable, even on a good quality coat, especially on areas that get rubbed, like between the sleeve and the body. Can you ask to see close-ups?

I hope that helps.

 

[K2graphics]

Hi and welcome

My understanding is that yes, pilling is a quality issue, as you suggest, not necessarily an age issue.

It's to do with the length of the fibres. The higher quality fabrics have longer fibres, which are less likely to pill, even when old. The cheaper fabrics have shorter fibres which have a greater tendency to pill.

You can carefully remove pilling with a shaver - there are special 'sweater shavers' especially for this, and I don't see why they wouldn't work on coats (ie woven fabric) as well. I've used these and found it's generally easier to remove pilling from natural fibres than from synthetics.

I don't know if it will keep pilling after you shave it, but if it does, you can shave it again. However certainly a newish coat that is already pilling is probably not of the highest quality.

A certain amount of pilling though, may be inevitable, even on a good quality coat, especially on areas that get rubbed, like between the sleeve and the body. Can you ask to see close-ups?

I hope that helps.

Ruth,

Thanks for your response. One of the things that is attractive about vintage (besides the price tag) is that newer clothes, even quite expensive ones, tend to be of a much lower quality. But I'm a larger woman + it's hard to find any vintage (cashmere) coats that would fit.

 

[Pinkcoke]

Hi K2, Ruth has given some good advice there. A lot of people here can appreciate the predicament of finding larger sized vintage clothing. How about posting your requirements in our wanted thread and see what our members may have to offer in the way of Cashmere coats?

 

[K2graphics]

Hi K2, Ruth has given some good advice there. A lot of people here can appreciate the predicament of finding larger sized vintage clothing. How about posting your requirements in our wanted thread and see what our members may have to offer in the way of Cashmere coats?

Melanie,

Thanks for your reply.…Good suggestion!