Is The Silk in Your Fabric Genuine? Know Here

There are very limited fabrics in the world that can mirror the luxury of silk. It’s been tagged as ‘glossy beauty’, ‘incredibly strong’, and ‘softness’ for decades after decades. From ancient China to today’s luxury runways, silk has been a memorable journey in textile standards. 

However, this journey saw a downfall when the market welcomed look-alike alternatives. Yes, it is possible to create synthetics like polyester and rayon to mirror the exact look of silk, which is hard to notice even for an experienced shopper. 

If you are purchasing an expensive fashion, like a scarf or something; knowing the purity of that fabric is essential. Because let’s be honest, you don’t want to pay luxury price for a fake dress. No one does! 

So, if you’ve ever been unsure of the authenticity of your silk attire, this fabric blog will walk you through the clear methods of identifying silk fabric (finding the real ones from fakes). Right knowledge of clothing materials saves you from being scammed by dishonest sellers. Be sure of what you are paying for! 

Why Original Silk Has Value, Not The Duplicates

Before you know the methods, you must know why genuine silk is precious. Silkworms produce silk as a natural protein fibre. This fibre owns unique properties which alternatives like synthetics cannot copy.  

• Real silk lets your skin breathe, gives you cosiness in summer and warmth in winter. Synthetics catch sun heat to sweat you through your summer wear.  
• Pure silk material is naturally hypoallergenic, which is very helpful to the ones with sensitive skin.  
• Despite being delicate, silk is one of the most durable fabrics to exist. A dress made of silk can live generations with right care.  

But when you mistakenly buy a fake one, you lose these benefits. A dress can look glossy but feels clammy and lacks the sophistication of originality. 

1. Touch To Feel The Difference

The fastest method to try, is at your fingertips. 

• Test The Texture 

Run your hand through the fabric, to understand the material’s composition. Pure silk is so soft and smooth, that it will slide between your finger gaps like butter. The texture in silk is different and organic. To the other side, synthetic fabrics are slippery and not as soft as the natural fibre.  

• Test The Warmth 

Use a few seconds to rub your clothing piece between your hands. If the silk is authentic, your hands will start to feel warm right away. This is a nature of natural protein fibres. Polyesters or artificial silks can’t do the same; they will stay as they were before rubbing.  

Basanti Kapde aur Koffee

Pre-draped Black Saree

₹18,990.00

₹12,343.50

Pre-draped Black Saree

Shop Now

Basanti Kapde aur Koffee

Pre-draped Red Saree

₹11,990.00

₹7,793.50

Pre-draped Red Saree

Shop Now

Basanti Kapde aur Koffee

 Printed Ruffled Saree with Tassels

₹15,990.00

₹10,393.50

 Printed Ruffled Saree with Tassels

Shop Now

2. Shine Test 

Silk is known for its unparalleled glow, but not every fabric can replicate it. The encounter of pure silk with lights, is exclusive.  

• Prism Effect  

Silk has a structure of Prism, which reflects light from different angles, creating a colourful sheen. If you take a piece of silk closer to the light and start moving it, colours will appear on the surface with a visible pearlescent glow. 

• Plastic-like Shine  

Synthetics give white and even shine to the lights, reflecting a plastic-like sheen on the fabric. If your dress keeps shining from every angle, it is most likely synthetic or fake silk. 

3. Flexibility Test (with ring) 

Best method to try on premium silk sarees or scarves. It checks how easily the fabric smoothens and bends.  

• Take the silk piece and try to glide it in a finger ring. If it glides effortlessly, consider the silk genuine silk due to its smoothness and flexibility.
   
• Which ones get stuck or difficult to pull through? – synthetic velvets or polyester silks. These fibres are metal-resistant and thicker. 

Note: This test is most reliable on chiffon or satin silk. It may not work on heavy weaves. 

Basanti Kapde aur Koffee

Tissue Lehenga Choli

₹29,990.00

Tissue Lehenga Choli

Shop Now

Basanti Kapde aur Koffee

Floral Lehenga with Embellished Blouse

₹35,990.00

₹23,393.50

Floral Lehenga with Embellished Blouse

Shop Now

Basanti Kapde aur Koffee

Tassel Ivory Draped Lehenga

₹41,490.00

Tassel Ivory Draped Lehenga

Shop Now

4. Burn Test (most accurate)

Out of all methods mentioned above, this one comes with the most accurate result. But it strictly requires caution. Do NOT take the burn test while wearing the fabric. However, testing with a piece or a single thread from that will show results right away.  

How To Perform? 

Take the piece of loose threads whatever and light the flame. Take them close to fire and how it reacts. The way they burn and smell, says it all! 

• Real: Genuine silk really takes time to burn. But when they do, they smell like burnt hair for being a protein fibre, like human hair. It releases cracked and sandy black ashes which turns to powder when you crush it.  
• Fake: Polyester, rayon, a.k.a. synthetic silks burn and melt very fast. They have a smell of burnt plastic or chemical. It casts off uncrushable black plastic bead, instead of ash. 

5. Is The Price Too Good to Be True?

We know considering the price of a dress is not a physical test, but it does help in identifying a fabric’s authenticity. Making silk is a long process. The silkworms are meticulously raised, then threads are carefully pulled out of them. So, it’s safe to say that silk was born expensive. 

If you ever see a price tag attached to silk ensemble is too good to be true, be aware. Good synthetics are made at cheap budget which lets the sellers offer a price to customers that isn’t available anywhere else. Obviously, purchasing pure silk is a luxury not anyone can afford.  

6. Perfection Never Comes Naturally

Silk fabric is a handmade art, and just like they say, ‘what’s handmade is hardly perfect’. If you ever take a close look to a handloom silk, you can see little weave patterns or uneven texture. They aren’t flaws; they are the evidence of a handmade fabric. 

Artificial synthetics are machine-made fabrics, which are flawless. It features the weave with absolutely zero variations. 

You’re Real, So Should Be Your Clothes  

Exploring the textile market can be distracting, but getting real fabric is possible if you purchase it from a popular brand. Reputed sources keep authentic collections by verified weavers & fashion designers who use genuine materials. All it takes to identify the fabric, is good observation and accurate knowledge. 

The house of Sevora, carries pride through their transparency and quality. Our100% pure silk collection features exquisite outfits made of real banarasi kanchivaram, tussar and chanderi silk. The moment you shop from our online store, you pay for genuine craftsmanship and the timeless luxury only a real silk carry. Never settle for less, not even in fashion!