How can you tell if a scarf is real silk?

Short answer: real silk feels cool at first and then warms quickly against the skin, has a shifting luster (it changes with the light) and drapes fluidly. If you scrunch it in your hand and release, it springs back with few sharp creases. Synthetic silks stay cold, have a uniform "plastic" sheen and wrinkle differently.

Price is another sign: real silk costs in line with the work involved — be wary of "silk" that's too cheap. The classic burn test (silk smells like burnt hair) is reliable but not advisable on a scarf you want to wear. Our scarves are pure silk, Made in Italy.