FabricIQ
Reading the label…
Acrylic
D
⚠️ Commonly associated with fast fashion. Consider higher-quality alternatives.
Synthetic fiber designed as a cheap alternative to wool. Lightweight and warm but prone to pilling and static.
Material Score Breakdown
Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.
40/100
DurabilityWeak45
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
ComfortWeak40
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
BreathabilityPoor20
Air flow and ventilation
WarmthAbove-average70
Heat retention and insulation
Moisture WickingPoor15
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Care EaseAbove-average80
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Sustainability (separate Eco score)
SustainabilityPoor15
Environmental impact of production and disposal
Brands using acrylic
8 brands have products in our catalog whose composition contains acrylic. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Comme des Garçons
34 products
GSOU Snow
25 products
Uniqlo JP
20 products
Needles
18 products
Uniqlo
15 products
Kith
14 products
GU
13 products
Stussy
13 products
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing acrylic.
Products with acrylic
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains acrylic. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
Rowing BlazersC
Women's Knit Skirt Pale Yellow
81% Wool, 13% Acrylic, 6% Nylon
$54
KithC
&Kin Plush Boucle Bergen Coat - Hallow
76% Wool, 8% Poly Acrylic, 6% Cotton, 6% Polyamide, 4% Polyester
$1195
Rowing BlazersC
Women's Knit Cropped Polo Top Pale Yellow
81% Wool, 13% Acrylic, 6% Nylon
$74
KithC
&Kin Plush Boucle Brian Moto - Hallow
76% Wool, 8% Poly Acrylic, 6% Cotton, 6% Polyamide, 4% Polyester
$1295
FilsonC
Women's Wool Vest - Gray / Floral
45% Wool, 30% Acrylic, 25% Alpaca
$150
Club MonacoC
Loukas Funnel Neck Coat
56% Wool, 30% Polyester, 8% Nylon, 6% Acrylic
$299
FilsonC
Heathered Wool Jac-shirt - Blue Heather
63% Wool, 20% Polyester, 11% Acrylic, 6% Nylon
$125
FolkC
Plated Rib Crew - Stone Ecru
54% Wool, 27% Polyamide, 11% Cotton, 3% Acrylic
$143
MontaneC
Montane Pip Beanie Hat
50% Merino Wool, 50% Acrylic
$45
JöttnarC
Gald Merino Beanie - Galdhøpiggen Edition
50% Merino Wool, 50% Acrylic
$45
JöttnarC
Mjolnir Fleece-lined Merino Technical Beanie
50% Merino Wool, 50% Acrylic
$45
Club MonacoC
Bouclé Half-Diamond Crewneck
66% Cotton, 18% Nylon, 9% Acrylic, 5% Wool, 2% Elastane
$119
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from acrylic. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same acrylic feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
🧥Winter Outerwear
GoodGood warmth (70) for cold weather
Detailed Use Case Scores
outerwear45
everyday40
Pros
- ✓ Very affordable
- ✓ Lightweight warmth
- ✓ Machine washable
- ✓ Resists moths and mildew
Cons
- ✗ Pills heavily
- ✗ Not breathable
- ✗ Looks cheap over time
- ✗ Static-prone and petroleum-based
Better alternatives
Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
Gore-TexB
+36 vs Acrylic · 76/100
Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.
DyneemaB
+35 vs Acrylic · 75/100
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber — the world's strongest fiber by weight. 15x stronger than steel, used in cut-resistant gear, ultralight backpacks, and high-performance sails.
HardshellB
+34 vs Acrylic · 74/100
Waterproof breathable membrane fabric (Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar technology) laminated to a face fabric. The gold standard for rain and storm protection in technical outerwear.
Care Guide
Washwarm (40°C)
Cycledelicate
Detergentregular
BleachDo not bleach
Dryflat dry
Ironlow
Dry Cleanavoid
SoftenerNo
Special Notes
• Prone to pilling — wash inside out
• Do not wring — reshape and lay flat
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash warm (40°C/105°F) on gentle or permanent press cycle
- • Tumble dry on low heat — remove promptly to prevent static cling and wrinkle setting
- • Iron on low heat only if needed — acrylic is heat-sensitive and can melt or glaze
- • Avoid bleach; use a fabric shaver or sweater comb to manage pilling
- • Use an anti-static dryer sheet or spray — acrylic is very static-prone
- • Store folded — acrylic knitwear stretches if hung on hangers
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
Won't shrink with normal washing
Eco Rating
High environmental impact