The sweater is truly very soft. I bought the purple color and it is a very nice, deep purple. However, I washed it before wearing (just like I do with all my clothes) and my washing machine was covered in purple balls from the sweater. I washed it inside out, in a large mesh bag, cold water, on gentle. The sweater will have to be returned. Too bad because it is so soft and pleasant to the skin but such poor quality when it comes to material.