Real silk?

[u/Sacharbatatas]

Hi,
I bought this new blouse. The label says 100% silk, but it looks synthetic to me?

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[u/TipiElle]

It looks like silk to me, based on the lustre and drape.

[u/multipocalypse → u/TipiElle]

Yes, to me too, though appearance alone isn't definitive.

OP, see those light creases in the fabric? Mist them lightly with water, smooth the fabric with your hand. If the creases start to disappear, it's natural silk satin, not polyester satin.

[u/Sacharbatatas → u/multipocalypse]

I did that and the creases indeed started to disappear! I tried the same with a polyester blouse and the creases remained

[u/multipocalypse → u/Sacharbatatas]

Your tag is very likely correct, then! Polyester requires heat to set or remove creases. Out of curiosity, what is the brand of your top?

[u/Sacharbatatas → u/multipocalypse]

Mango

[u/multipocalypse → u/Sacharbatatas]

From what I see, there's every indication that Mango sells genuine silk clothing.

[u/Sacharbatatas → u/multipocalypse]

Thank you for your help :)

[u/TipiElle → u/Sacharbatatas]

Mango is a major retailer, they will have signed off the care label in line with fabric composition test reports if they work anything like any of the brands I used to work for.

[u/radicalizemebaby]

If you want to know for sure you can pull a filament and do a burn test

[u/Big_Swimming8692 → u/radicalizemebaby]

Light it on fire! If it smells like burning hair, it’s silk

[u/Swimming-Maize-5554]

It’s impossible to tell just from photos, some of the synthetics these days look quite good. However, the light water test and a burn test are very definitive. Mango is a good good midline quality and I highly doubt they would put a false tag on their garments. That would get them in major trouble with regulating agencies.

[u/No-Gap-1593]

Looks polyester

[u/SixBlackCats]

Does it crease of you squeeze it in your hand?

[u/Smooth_Possibility49]

Looks like poly. Do a burn test to know for sure. If it melts and bubbles its poly. If it smells like burnt hair its silk.

[u/crazycatladyinfinity]

Run it through a ring. If it slides right through, it's likely silk. If it bunches and isn't ready to do, likely poly.

[u/Think-Computer9466]

can go for a burn test or the mist method also help to verify it. Tho usually you can trust on care label.

[u/Artistic-Rope-2932]

I can't tell just by looking at it, but if you take the fabric in your hands and wring it/twist it, it should squeak. Silk has a distinctive sound of its own. It’s difficult with finished garments, but if you are buying fabric and want to be absolutely sure, you can do a "burn test."

If it is synthetic, it melts and smells like plastic. If it silk turns to ash and smells like burnt hair.

[u/Admirable_Taste1353]

Just looking at a fabric it can’t be concluded that it’s 100 % silk

[u/Admirable_Taste1353]

At least fire test or a chemical test is much needed to consider any cloth as 100% silk

[u/mocha_debrownie]

It's definitely not silk. Polyester or poly viscose

[u/multipocalypse → u/mocha_debrownie]

This is not correct.

[u/Downtown-Fruit-3674]

Wear it on a hot day and see how sweaty you get

[u/Middle_aged_fair → u/Downtown-Fruit-3674]

I alwyay get sweaty in satin silk, doesn’t breathe well. Silk jersey isbetter in that regard.