Knitwear can look perfect in a front-facing listing photo while hiding stretched shoulders, small pulls or a changed hemline. Ask to see the piece laid flat.
Check the silhouette at rest
Compare shoulder width, sleeve length and side seams on a flat surface. Hanger storage can create peaks at the shoulders, while heavy skirts may lengthen unevenly. A ribbed knit should recover gently when stretched; brittle elastic fibres do not.
Read the surface
Pilling is common at underarms, sides and cuffs. Light pilling is often manageable, but aggressive shaving can thin the yarn. Photograph possible pulls from both sides before moving any thread, and use a blunt needle to ease it to the inside rather than cutting it.
Fold, do not hang
Clean knits before storage, allow them to dry completely, then fold with acid-free tissue or a clean cotton layer. Avoid perfumed moth products touching the fabric and give dark pieces breathable storage away from direct light.
When cleaning, the care label wins. “Dry clean only” and “hand wash” are not interchangeable, especially when a knit mixes fibres or has a bonded lining.