Question about cashmere/acrylic blend…and are there any ‘good’ synthetics? - YouLookFab Forum

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Question about cashmere/acrylic blend…and are there any ‘good’ synthetics?

Runcarla

Veteran

After wearing (only) silk scarves these past 4 years, I’m considering the addition of a ‘fuzzy’ scarf for the coming cold weather season. I’m liking a 10% cashmere/90% acrylic scarf that is in a local independent shop - because of the colours in the plaid - but I’m not sure about the ‘fabric’.

I’m not a fan of synthetics, preferring ‘natural’ fibres like cotton, linen, wool, silk. However, I ‘get’ Lycra, and haven’t had a problem with it. I’m ok with polyester in gear/fitness kit and some fashion items. It is the synthetic most in evidence in my closet. I’ve got a (very) few things with rayon and/or nylon in the mix - but not much. I’m not a fan of Lyocel - suspecting it is responsible for clothes that ‘grow’ with body heat, IYKWIM.

So, question #1 - is a cashmere/acrylic blend a ‘good’ combination? Will the super soft scarf be warm and cozy or will I get overheated and sweaty feeling? Will it pill? Will it wash well? How can I expect it to behave?

Question #2 - what synthetics (or ‘modern’ fabrics like bamboo or rayon) are represented in your closet? Which ones do you like/recommend? Which ones do you dislike/bann?

General

44 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Interesting question.

I can’t give you any advice on the scarf. Here’s my response to #2:

I mostly have natural fibers in my closet, though I added some synthetics during the Florida years and soon after we got to Berlin. I really do prefer natural fibers for comfort, and find rayon breathes well enough to be comfortable for me. My workout clothes have the same fibers you mention; I think they are ok there because the knit is different than in “regular” clothes.

Lately I’ve seen more & more polyester recycled fibers. I feel like I ought to wear them—I use the bottles, after all—but I haven’t found that fabric comfortable. One exception is a Patagonia fleece jacket that’s now lost.

Joy

Veteran

#1: it will pill. I think of anything with acrylic as a one season wonder if it even lasts that long. Remember that I am always wearing a crossbody bag which rubs and is likely to cause lots of pulling.
Last year I got two red sweater dresses. One was acrylic and one meriono wool. I wore the shorter acrylic dress as a tunic and cut pills after every wear. The wool dress has a few tiny pills. I think I will be able to wear it again this year.
#2: polyester is banned from the wardrobe except for cold weather this is alone or in a blend. I also feel it needs special washing in a Guppy’s Friend bag to try to help not spread the polyester fibers in the environment. I am trying to avoid cotton but it is very prevalent in the US. Bamboo is a better choice. It is soft and feel good but my towels are not holding up well ( fraying on the sides). But so did 100% cotton sheets. Still have cotton towels in perfect shape with constant use during WWII and until now so I think it may be a matter of quality. I avoid fabrics that are not natural fibers and blends that can’t be recycled.

Joy

Veteran

Seeing Stags reply, I have bought jeans made with plastic bottles, although I do not ever use plastic bottles myself and even look for mayo, etc. in glass. The jeans washed beautifully, no shrinking or wrinkles. They were not put in the dryer to dry but hung.

slim cat

Veteran

Rayon or lyicel is fine by me, bamboo fabric was overheating me like it was more polyester blend than actually bamboo. Polyester, acrylic, nylon is barely in my wardrobe ( hiking pants but not tops, flow-y skirt but nothing too close to my body). Used to have some scarfs with mixed fibers but not anymore. Sorry, I’m not helpful.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t ban any fibres myself. I find that my own sustainability efforts do better with lots of wearing of whatever I have bought, whatever fibre it is. I try a little to avoid polyester due to the problem of the fibres getting into the wash, but the floaty kinds of items I like wearing are often polyester so that is not a strict rule. I also feel that cotton is not great for the environment especially in jeans, but then I don’t like or wear jeans very much so avoiding them is easy.
I have some acrylic. I like my olive acrylic cardigan a lot, because in our mild winter sometimes wool is too hot. I don’t have much cashmere as there is less available here and it’s very expensive, I buy merino in preference. My ink merino cardigan has pilled more than my olive acrylic one, so much so that I am wondering if I need to edit it out by next winter, has had 77 wears. Olive acrylic 69 wears I will keep for next winter still I think at this stage.
I have also seen some recycled polyester, my expensive “blurred floral” Veronica Maine top is made of that and they trumpeted that that was fabric imported from Europe then the top was made in Australia ( VM is an Australian brand). But then I am thinking, OK, I am keen on buying NZ or Australian made, Australian is only across one small ocean for me, but how sustainable is it that you brought the fabric all the way from Europe, even if it is recycled? So IDK, think half of the “sustainability” push is just to try to make us buy!
I am less willing to buy from the very fast fashion brands because I feel their very existence and the volume they make is a problem. Even then though, if I bought from them I would be trying to wear many times so that that particular item would be sustainable *for me*.
I also bought a lovely cream jumper this year that had recycled nylon, wool and mohair in it. Again, I bought it for love and likelihood of many wears. That one was made in China and cost less than the made in Australia top did.
Not sure if this answers any of your questions!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Actually just thought of the point that I believe Lycra and elastane to be the same thing. Lycra is just a brand name for elastane. Someone else may know. I personally love elastane for the stretch it gives, probably why I can have lost 10 kg and yet most of my pants still fit me.

MsMaven

Veteran

I try not to buy anything with acrylic. Always bad news as far as pilling and endurance. I don’t think the cashmere will help.

If I did find something I absolutely loved, like your pattern, I would seriously reconsider, but not expect it to last long.

Anonymous

I’ve had many of those soft and warm winter scarves in acrylic blends - because I am a sucker for fluffy gorgeous swathes of fabric and also had lots of sales samples of these things too - and most look cheap and shabby within a few wears . However ……acrylic /cashmere finer gauge knits have served me pretty well…except they are prone to static buildup . Have you ever looked at Aritizia’s triangle shaped woven wool scarves ? They come in great patterns and colours and you might like them . Super warm and luxe looking - and a bit unique .

Sloper

Veteran

I'm sorry I can't answer #1 - I'm wondering what 10% cashmere really adds? Don't have really cold temps where I live, but on my winter time walks I tie on a silk scarf. I wear cotton scarves in the summer for coverage.

#2 - the synthetics in my wardrobe are mostly gear and undies. I have a synthetic Old Navy Performance Fleece pullover that must be 20 years old and wears like iron. For sweaters I prefer wool. Cotton for tees.

But I have a feeling that much of my thinking is stuck in old patterns of what would be considered "quality" vs not. I haven't experimented with many of the new fabrics and recycled fabrics.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I just realized that I read the mix backwards somehow. I wouldn’t know if 10% acrylic would be enough to ruin a thing, but at 90%, I know I’d stay away.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Generally I like my tops to be silk and cotton and my sweaters to be cashmere . But realistically, I find all sorts of things second hand and do not rule things out quickly just based on fiber - although it is an important factor. For example, I generally do avoid acrylic but have thrifted at least 2 vintage sweaters from very long ago and they are in excellent shape and wear and wash beautifully. Similarly, not all polyesters are created equally. Lately have found two Marc Cain tops - polyester but you would never guess it. Nonetheless, I would be wary of buying a new 90% acrylic scarf unless you had it sense it was exceptional quality.

Runcarla

Veteran

Decided to go through my closet to see how many garments were 100% synthetic. If there was any cotton, wool, silk, linen, down, etc in the blend, I didn’t count it. Finds below. (Does not include fitness kit/gear.). The most common blend in my closet is 95-98% cotton/5-2% Lycra - jeans/pants, t-shirts, sweaters, and even button downs.

View Info

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Halogen Boat Neck Mesh Top

View Info

Top Pick

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Joy

Veteran

I like nylon like a Sweet pea Mesh ( 100% nylon) vs Karen Kane (100% polyester). Both are stretchy and look the same but do not feel the same. I also like nylon in a blend for its strength and quick dry property.

DonnaF

Veteran

Due to terrible luck with pilling acrylic sweaters, I avoid anything that is majority acrylic. I am more open minded regarding other synthetics and synthetic blends.

Irina

Veteran

I have a sweater that is 35% acrylic - it stretched almost immediately. In the past I had acrylic scarves and they were not warm and pilled. I stay away from almost anything made of mixed fabrics if it contains more than 10-15% of acrylic or polyester and have only a couple of garments, generally I avoid synthetic fibers. My polyester items are puffers and some underwear.
I don’t mind lyocell if it’s mixed with linen or cotton. Not a fan of modal or viscose, find them too unpredictable. Maybe they are great in the higher end clothes.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

So all those Finds are 100% synthetic? There are some of your greatest hits there… which is kind of what I was saying about polyester. I have quite a lot of it. It’s all worn plenty of times. Something like mesh tops, of which I own 5…well, it’s pretty difficult to get the same effect in any other fabric.
Thinking of what can make you sweat more, actually my mid weight nightie of 95% viscose 5% elastane holds sweat and smells quicker than my other mid weight ( these 2 are for transitional seasons like now) nightie which has lost its label as quite old but I think would be cotton or cotton/poly blend. Sorry if TMI!
I am wearing today though my 100% viscose top, transitional season ( today is a cold and rainy spring day) and it is more like canvas fabric, wears like iron and doesn’t cause sweat at all! So it must be quality or formulation also that matters?

SarahD8

Veteran

Hmmm, I initially read your post the opposite way and thought it was 90% cashmere and thought: go for it!

90% acrylic though, I would stay away. Personally I find acrylic very "sweaty." This seems like the kind of blend that has just enough cashmere that they can advertise it has cashmere, iykwim.

I am kind of a notorious fiber snob though, lol! I would much rather repeatedly shave the pills off 100% cashmere than wear pretty much anything else.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Actually that’s what Irina said above me, re higher end. This 100% viscose top cost a lot more than the nightie, from a better brand called Trenery. It was $150 which at that stage was possibly the most I had ever paid for a top, I have now paid more once since then for the Veronica Maine recycled polyester top I mentioned earlier. We have told you all before how clothes can be expensive even for mall brands in NZ/Australia!

lozz_oz

Veteran

So, to answer your questions
#1 - I’d say give it a miss. I agree with Lisa P that the scarf could look pretty ordinary pretty quickly.
#2- synthetics are represented in my gear wardrobe. Regarding some of the ‘modern’ fibres, I have some sports socks and underwear that are bamboo blends (supposedly bamboo has anti bacterial properties). I’m not keen on many of the rayon or viscose fabrics as they easily shrink or lose shape.
My bias as a sewist is that it’s lovely to both sew and wear natural fibres such as wool, silk, cotton and linen.
Listened to an interesting podcast about recycled fibres recently, so I may have to start another thread....

Runcarla

Veteran

Thanks to everyone who posted a response to this thread. If I remember correctly, the last time I had something acrylic, it was a mustard sweater that was a great colour - mustard, with wine, pink, and cream stripes - but pilled and was scratchy. It was a knit, and this scarf appears woven. I’m going to give it a ‘pass’. Maybe I can source a silk scarf in the same colours? Next!

Tanya

Veteran

I am late here, but I think you made the right choice. Most of the items I had with a significant amount of acrylic have disappointed me in their durability or feel or both.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This one is tempting me right now. I want a big, bulky cable knit white fisherman’s sweater like I’ve had in the past. The good side of this is 60% organic cotton (which uses less water). But the rest is acrylic. I wish I could believe it’d be ok!
https://mobile.yoox.com/us/141.....archResult

cat2

Veteran

I think you made the right choice, my husband had some acrylic woven scarves when I met him, and they didn’t look fresh for very long. His wool woven scarves have worn much better.

kkards

Veteran

I don’t have any “rules” about not wearing synthetics, but i do try not to wear fluffy acrylic because for some reason the fabric seems to make me cough and itch…is it possible to be allergic to acrylic?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I don't ban synthetic fibres from my wardrobe, but wear them in moderation. Synthetics when blended with natural fibres can do a great job of strengthening fabric and making things look and feel crisp and luxe, plus make them easy to launder. They can be more sustainably recycled and produced these days too. Acrylic can be tricky as others have mentioned. That said, natural fibres aren't all the cat's pyjamas either. For example, I avoid mohair, alpaca and angora because they greatly irritate my skin. Some wools too.

Sally

Veteran

I like cotton t-shirts and dresses if I can get them just because I prefer the feel of them. I also wear merino or wool in winter as much as possible, but like a lot of people have a mix. I'm fussy about underwear and only wear cotton or bamboo. For yoga I have tended to wear bamboo leggings and cotton singlets. I got some lycra ones recently cheap and while they wash better as the bamboo ones wear and get thin, they do not feel as breathable and I take them off as soon as I finish.

The Cat

Veteran

I can't stand acrylic sweaters, as they pill and soon start to smell badly. So I was surprised to discover that one of my favourite scarves is actually 100% acrylic. However, the scarf is not knitted-- it is woven, which might be a key factor. (Could it be that woven acrylic is GENERALLY better than knitted acrylic?) My scarf is white, big, wrinkled, breezy, very soft and comfortable. I have used it for several years, and it still looks and feels as new after every laundry and never pills.

Gaylene

Veteran

Pretty much everything Angie said—no outright banning but everything in moderation. Some synthetics aren’t worth the money, but then again neither are poor quality cottons, silks, linens, or wools. Low-quality, inexpensive cotton can have a nasty environmental footprint as well as being rough against the skin and prone to shrinkage. Same goes for inferior quality wools and cashmeres. My high quality cashmere sweaters easily last for decades and just get softer as they age and are regularly laundered. My inexpensive forays into cashmere, on the other hand, rarely last a year before the garments become a pill factory and develop holes in the elbows and necklines.

Sometimes I look for the qualities I can only get from a synthetic fibre—example is a decade’s worth of trouble-free wear I’ve had from a pleated synthetic travel skirt which I mash up in a suitcase, shake out, and then happily wear to Michelin-starred restaurant. If I spill something on it, I wash the skirt in a hotel sink with a bar of soap, towel dry, put it on my body, and miraculously look presentable by the time I leave the hotel. Another synthetic wonder is my new favourite nightshirt—an extra long, super-soft, totally synthetic Uniqlo Airism top which works well in both hot and cold weather. My cotton nightwear has been languishing in the drawer since I’ve discovered these marvels.

The acrylic in the scarf wouldn’t bother me if I loved the color and feel of the fabric but I’d check to see if the scarf edges were finished properly—generally a sign of a better quality acrylic item. I am more suspicious, though, of the reason behind that dusting of cashmere. It’s doubtful the 10% addition of another fibre to the acrylic would make much difference in the feel or wear of an acrylic scarf but might just be there to justify a higher price tag? I’d also be wondering about the quality of that smidgeon of cashmere—after all the cashmere swept up from the factory floor is technically still cashmere fibre and can be sold as such, but it’s definitely not the equivalent of the cashmere fibre you’d be swooning over in a high end sweater.

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Gaylene - the price point of the scarf was pretty low, so I suspect the quality is as well. I was really smitten with the colour way, and my current project is to build up a depleted winter accessory capsule. It’s early days yet, so I’m down for giving this scarf a pass. Thanks!

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