How to Tell if a Sweater is Made of Natural or Synthetic Fabric

By Aubrey Coon

17 Jan 2025

Is this true? 70% of clothing made today is composed of synthetic fiber?? That’s what I’ve heard! Here’s some advice on learning to feel the difference between natural and synthetic.

Around this time of year I try to get myself to a major city and find a Nordstrom. The half-yearly sale is the most fun. I always discover new brands and find a few deals. And since it’s Nordstrom there are actually some sweaters made of real material.

To speed my sorting process, I try to tell just by feel if sweaters are natural or synthetic. Then I don’t have to read every tag and prolong my disappointment. I use this skill at Thrift stores too, especially with handmade sweaters that are tagless.

The truest test is to take a little yarn from the sweater and burn it. If it melts and molds like the end of a paracord bracelet, it’s plastic. If it blackens and turns to ash when you touch it, it’s real. I just learned this from Youtube and tried it with two of my fave tagless sweaters and as I thought, REAL! Yes.

I don’t know how the burn-test would work with a non-fuzzy sweater or a fine weave cotton... so I found another video about how to tell if fabric is natural or synthetic. I still need a few more tactics when it comes to wool, but these are some good methods.

Here it is:

contact: aubrey@thebestsweater.com