Wool, cashmere, cotton: what actually lasts

What separates a knit that pills after two washes from one you keep for ten years, and how to spot it in store.

Why this matters

In the fabrics category, the details that look secondary usually make the difference in real use. This guide gathers the points that come up most often from our customer feedback and store teams: what to know before buying, and what actually holds up over time.

Key takeaways

• Pick a piece for how it will actually be used, not how it photographs.
• Favour materials that develop a patina over those that wear out.
• Keep colour and finish palettes tight for a more cohesive result.
• Live with one piece for a while before buying multiples from the same set.

Our advice

A good purchase confirms itself over the following weeks: the piece naturally finds its spot, daily use kicks in, and it ages in the right direction. If any of those three points is missing after a month, it's probably the wrong call — which is exactly why our return policy stays generous.