You buy a cashmere sweater, wear it a few times, and it starts pilling. First thought: did I get a fake?
Not necessarily.
Pilling happens when short fibres rub against each other and tangle into small balls. It’s a natural property of the fibre — genuine cashmere pills, and so do imitations. Pilling alone isn’t a reliable indicator of quality.
But it can be managed before production. Yarn twist, finishing treatments — both affect how much pilling occurs. These decisions need to be made before the garment is made. By the time you’re holding the finished piece, it’s too late to change them.
There’s no perfect solution: tighter twist reduces pilling, but the hand-feel becomes a little firmer.
If pilling matters to you, bring it up before you place the order. That conversation is worth more than a complaint after delivery.