How to Tell If Wool Is Real (And How to Spot Synthetic Imitations)
In today’s fashion industry, it’s becoming harder to tell real wool apart from synthetic fibres. With advanced machines and blended yarns, many garments look and feel like wool but behave very differently over time.
Understanding how to identify genuine wool can help you make better buying decisions, invest in long-lasting clothing, and avoid plastic-based imitations.
What Is Real Wool Made Of?
Wool isn’t just a fabric, it's animal hair, typically from sheep. Like human hair, real wool is breathable, insulating, moisture-resistant, and naturally elastic. These qualities allow wool garments to regulate temperature, resist odours, and age beautifully with wear.
Synthetic “wool-like” fibres, on the other hand, are derived from petroleum. They may mimic wool’s appearance but lack its natural performance and longevity.
Wool vs Synthetic Fibres: Key Differences
Real wool
• Breathable and insulating
• Moisture-resistant
• Softens with time
• Biodegradable
Synthetic fibres
• Trap heat and moisture
• Pill and shed quickly
• Retain odours
• Made from plastic
One of the easiest ways to identify the difference is through heat reaction.
How to Do the Wool Burn Test (Safely)
The burn test is a traditional method to identify natural fibres. If you try this, take a tiny thread from a hidden seam and burn it carefully.
• Real wool smells like burning hair
• Burns slowly and may self-extinguish
• Leaves behind dark, brittle ash
• Synthetic fibres smell like melting plastic
• Melt, drip, and form a hard bead
• Burn aggressively
This happens because wool is protein-based, while synthetics are plastic-based.
How to Identify Real Wool Without Burning It
Not everyone wants to test fire on their clothes and you don’t have to. Instead, look for brands that are transparent about:
• Wool sourcing and origin
• Certifications related to wool or ethical production
• Behind-the-scenes documentation of weaving, spinning, or dyeing
Brands using genuine wool usually share their process because it involves more labour, skill, and cost.
Why Choosing Real Wool Matters
Real wool lasts longer, reduces microplastic pollution, and supports traditional livelihoods from shepherds to spinners to weavers. It’s a material designed to be worn for years, not seasons.
Learning how to identify authentic wool helps you buy less, waste less, and value what you own more.
