How Soft Is It?

If you've ever been looking at something online and wanted to buy it, but been unable to because you can't tell if it's soft or not...this blog is for you. Detailed descriptions of the texture, softness, weight, and other sensory-oriented aspects of clothing, bedding, toys, etc..

[howsoftisit]

hsy idk if you cover fabrics here but if youre looking for a soft fluffy And practical material, brushed cotton is the way to go! its defintely at least an 8/10 and usually always available for bedclothes and is relatively cheap ❤

Definitely! 

Brushed Cotton, also known as Flannel, is super great! It varies based on quality and how often it’s been washed, but usually retains its softness fairly well. It’s also very strong and what I use to make weighted blankets. 

(Note: if you’re buying the fabric from a fabric store, keep in mind that it will shrink quite a lot when washed. To avoid excess shrinking, don’t over-dry the fabric in the dryer - take it out when it’s still slightly damp and let it air dry the rest)

Flannel shirts are almost always very soft as well. 

[megmerilees]

Attention sensory people!

I found what are possibly the softest bedsheets in the world!

Clara Clark Premier 1800 Series sheets have the softness of flannel or jersey knit sheets, but without the maddening side-effect of getting twisted or sticking to your clothes while you sleep! I got two sets for Christmas, and after washing them, immediately tried them out, and OH MY GOSH. It’s honestly like sleeping on a cloud. I’ve always had issues with sheets, from hating top sheets because they always get tangled, to hating the way most sheets feel all scratchy. I also couldn’t use flannel sheets because they’re just too damn hot. These, by contrast, never seem to get twisted or tangled at all, and I’ve been sleeping on them for two weeks at this point. These sheets are made from microfiber, so they’re light and breathable like cotton, while being both softer and hypoallergenic, because unlike cotton, they don’t generate dust! And the best part (for my poor ass) is that they average at under $30 for a Queen set! Most sheets of decent quality are way more than that. 10/10 would recommend.

[howsoftisit]

I found a site that has definitions and descriptions of words that are used to describe fabrics and clothes in general! Here’s the link.

This is my personal favorite : “Sherpa (fleece) - Knit terry fabric brushed and washed to raise the fibers for a fluffy, plush feel. The thick terry loops stay soft and absorbent over time.” 

[howsoftisit]

I have like three of these king sized "life comfort" blankets and they are super super soft, I got them from costco. One of them is two years old and has been washed about as often as a blanket should be and I would still rate it at like 8/10, but when they're first bought they're like 12/10 softness, for real

Oh wow! 

Thanks for letting us know! 

(Gotta go buy one (or ten) now) 

[neurodivergentsupport]

 Some (not all) warning signs of emotional abuse toward disabled or mentally ill victims:

Sudden opinion changes on victim’s interests and beliefs

Encouraging behavior only to disapprove of it later

Tempting victim back into the situation with promises that it will be different (may be done without openly admitting it was bad in the first place)

Offering things to appear kind, and then not following through on them 

Offering things as though they are out of a great kindness when it is simply something they should do (such as something previously agreed to, or food for their child)

Excessive control over areas of victim’s life where they should not have control, even if it doesn’t seem inherently mean (example: throwing out their food, but making something else to replace it, or cleaning their room when they have said don’t want the help)

Acting uncharacteristically kind long enough for the victim to get comfortable before being cruel again 

Encouraging symptoms of mental illness, like disordered eating and anxiety 

Dismissing mental illness, disability or exhaustion as an excuse to be lazy

Putting down anyone, such as a therapist or friend, who might bring attention to the abuse or take the victim’s side

Insulting other people for traits the victim shares in front of the victim, but not necessarily acknowledging that the victim has those traits as well

Talking about accommodations or disability devices as though everyone needs them equally and some people just don’t use them, or talking about them as though no one truly needs them

Referring to the victim’s neurodivergent traits as just a part of their generation (such as ‘oh, you anxious millennials’ to undermine an anxiety disorder)

Dismissing things as obviously untrue that are true ‘It’s not like you couldn’t have just come home if it was so bad there’

Saying that the victim’s friends and other trusted individuals are wrong or don’t know what they are talking about or don’t know the victim well enough to judge

Treating symptoms of mental illness or disability as though they are just negative personal traits the victim has

Complaining about things that aren’t actually happening or exaggerate them, like a messy room that actually clean

Deliberate sighing with no definite cause

Forgiving, accepting or even praising others for the same things they would berate the victim for

Screaming as though angry just to communicate mundane information or using the same tone used when bullying

Leaves the victim feeling like there is no reason to discuss conflict or try to work it out when they tend to with other people

Refusing to accomodate

Claiming the victim misunderstands or sees the situation wrong because of their symptoms when the victim stands up for themself

‘Forgetting’ triggers, pronouns, and accommodations

Trying to withhold assistive tools, accommodations, medical care, comfort items, or ability to stim in any situation, no matter what the victim did

Insulting the victim for unrelated causes with the excuse that they did something wrong, such as claiming misgendering is okay because the victim was rude

Acting like the victim is a burden or more work than they expected or isn’t putting in their fair share when they can’t do something due to disability

Saying the victim doesn’t deserve things they have because they don’t earn them or can’t keep them clean and organized due to disability

Disregarding requests not to talk about certain things around the victim

Comparing victim to people they openly dislike, even if not in a clearly negative way

Blaming the victim for being bullied, being unable to make friends, being unable to get a job, or anything else that is the result of society’s ableism

Put the victim in the middle of any feud, make them choose a side, or have arguments about them in front of them

Saying mean things in a casual or friendly tone

Pointing out how much the victim’s mental illness/disability costs them

Agreeing with negative comments the victim makes about themself due to mental illness, or with their negative perceptions of the world and its safety that are anxieties due to mental illness rather than fact

Treating things as though they will happen or will not happen when the victim did not agree to it ‘I can’t wait to have you back for Christmas’

Saying the victim needs to come into ‘the real world’ or realize that ‘the real world doesn’t work like that’

Asking for clarification on terminology regarding gender or other identifications only to not respect them

Insulting appearance or calling appearance choices a result of disability/mental illness, calling appearance choices destructive or for attention

Offering to keep doing something for the victim rather than help them learn or help them get accommodations to do so themself

Choosing to have things around that are harder for the victim to operate/do instead of the versions that are easier

Helping out but making a big deal out of it and how much effort it is

Acting like being visibly disabled is embarrassing

Acting like stimming is bad or embarrassing or only appropriate during certain times

Unnecessarily exaggerated word choice, like calling disorganization ‘disgusting’

Withholding things that need to be done on a certain schedule until the victim does something or withholding things previously considered available to the victim

[howsoftisit]

any particular brand of blanket you know of that could be 10/10 soft? (or at least 8/10 because im lacking in soft blankets to sleep with..)

I personally am a fan of the fuzzy lightweight soft blankets, like this, because they tend to be extremely soft and don’t lose the softness even when you wash them several times. I have four blankets of various brands in this fuzzy lightweight fleece style, and they work very well for me. I would rate them as 10/10 softness. My favorite one is the one I got in a clearance bin at a kroger’s grocery store for $6.  Tuesday Morning also has some excellent soft blankets for lower prices, and I’ve had excellent luck there. 

If you’re looking for a heavier blanket that’s still soft, I have several more recommendations. 

I have two of these Home Classics Egyptian Cotton Blankets (8.5/10). They’re so soft and non-scratchy that I can even use them without a sheet (I’ve got one on my lap right now). I bought one when it was on sale, and I found the other at a Goodwill for $6! They’re expensive when you get them regular price, but I think they’re still worth it. The only downside to them is that they can snag on pets’ nails fairly easily, so I would watch out for that. 

My other general brand recommendation is Woolrich. I have a blanket similar to this one (not quite the same). It has the sherpa fluff on one side, and very smooth softness on the other. It’s extremely warm and cosy and I rate it 10/10 Softness, although it does lose some over time (I’ve had mine for two years, and the sherpa side is less soft, maybe a 7 now, but the smooth side is still extremely soft). I got mine at Tuesday Morning for $20 rather than the retail $40. (It was so soft and fluffy that I bought a second one and mailed it to my partner in the UK, and it’s still their favorite blanket.)

[grackleclaw]

Honestly, the softest blanket I’ve ever owned was a cheap blue sherpa throw that my mom got for me at a dollar store. I think the key to finding the softest blankets is definitely to just keep your eyes peeled! Good luck to you!

[howsoftisit]

any particular brand of blanket you know of that could be 10/10 soft? (or at least 8/10 because im lacking in soft blankets to sleep with..)

I personally am a fan of the fuzzy lightweight soft blankets, like this, because they tend to be extremely soft and don’t lose the softness even when you wash them several times. I have four blankets of various brands in this fuzzy lightweight fleece style, and they work very well for me. I would rate them as 10/10 softness. My favorite one is the one I got in a clearance bin at a kroger’s grocery store for $6.  Tuesday Morning also has some excellent soft blankets for lower prices, and I’ve had excellent luck there. 

If you’re looking for a heavier blanket that’s still soft, I have several more recommendations. 

I have two of these Home Classics Egyptian Cotton Blankets (8.5/10). They’re so soft and non-scratchy that I can even use them without a sheet (I’ve got one on my lap right now). I bought one when it was on sale, and I found the other at a Goodwill for $6! They’re expensive when you get them regular price, but I think they’re still worth it. The only downside to them is that they can snag on pets’ nails fairly easily, so I would watch out for that. 

My other general brand recommendation is Woolrich. I have a blanket similar to this one (not quite the same). It has the sherpa fluff on one side, and very smooth softness on the other. It’s extremely warm and cosy and I rate it 10/10 Softness, although it does lose some over time (I’ve had mine for two years, and the sherpa side is less soft, maybe a 7 now, but the smooth side is still extremely soft). I got mine at Tuesday Morning for $20 rather than the retail $40. (It was so soft and fluffy that I bought a second one and mailed it to my partner in the UK, and it’s still their favorite blanket.)

[howsoftisit]

Pillow pets? Asking for a friend.

Very soft! 9/10 

However, it’s a synthetic soft, and the fluff is maybe an inch long. They feel smooth and silky. 

The underside is made of different, shorter material, and is also very soft. It’s more fuzzy, rather than fluffy.

The actual pillow part is nice and squishy. 

Let me know if you need more specific details! 

[howsoftisit]

Redbubble’s Unisex Tees and Hoodies - 10/10

Example product, but this description applies to all their unisex tees

tl;dr - All clothing should aspire to be this soft. 

Shirts

The redbubble shirts are very lightweight, very thin, and very, very soft. They hang slightly looser than the Hanes tees I just described, but still within regular expectations. 

The are quite comfortable. The collar is thin and not bulky. There is a tag in the back of the neck, but it is small and can be removed without lots of trouble. 

Hoodie

The hoodie is also very thin, lightweight, and soft. It is the thinnest sweatshirt I own, but also the softest. The hood synches up well and the cuffs are not too tight or scratchy. It’s not particularly warm, since it’s so thin, but it’s so soft I don’t mind. 

[howsoftisit]

Hanes Men's ComfortBlend® Short-Sleeve Heathered Tee - 9/10

Link to Product Here

These are my favorite t-shirts. They are medium weight, cotton/polyester (60/40%) blend and super soft. I have fourteen of these in the various colors they offer and they’re my go-to shirts. 

The style/fit is just a regular t-shirt. They’re not baggy nor are they slim, and they fit true to size. They are quite comfortable for daily wear or for layering. They feel nice and smooth and they were cool enough to wear in the summer. 

No tag in the back of the neck - the label is printed on. I’ve been wearing them daily for about 4 months and they’ve held up quite well with no problems so far. Good quality, soft shirts. 

(Note - on their website, they’re listed at $10.50, but I’ve seen them at wal-mart for as low as $4.50-6.50 depending on color.) 

[howsoftisit]

Hanes EcoSmart Shirts - Not Soft!

Link to Product Line

They’re advertised as “ComfortBlend” but do not be fooled- they are decidedly Not Soft. I give them a 3/10 on the Softness Scale. They are a 5 before you wash them but down to a 3 as soon as you wash the chemicals out of them. 

I have one of these and it is far too scratchy to wear. I have washed it with every load of laundry I’ve done, hoping that it will soften with repeated washings, but it’s gone through at least 10 times and no sign of softening. 

If you’re looking for soft Hanes t-shirts, go with the ComfortBlend Heather Tee instead! 

[howsoftisit]

SONOMA life + style Weekend Crew Tee - 9.5/10

Link to the product

tl;dr: Soft, thin, stretchy, very comfy. 9.5/10 Softness. 

So pleased with this shirt. While they originally feel a bit softer before you wash them, they are still extremely soft after they have been washed and dried. The material is 100% cotton and is very thin, light, soft, and stretchy. It has kind of that brushed cotton feel similar to flannel (but much thinner than flannel). 

Sonoma is one of my favorite brands and tends to last a reasonably long time before losing any softness. I will also update this post if I notice any unreasonable decrease in quality or softness. 

The end of the sleeves/the cuffs, like most long sleeves, are made to be snug enough not to slip down your arms if you push your sleeves up. Sometimes they t-shirt cuffs are too tight for me, but these are loose enough that i’m currently typing with the cuffs over the heels of my hands and it’s not tight at all. It’s also not so baggy that the sleeves fall down when I push them up, though! It feels like a good in-between level of snugness for me. 

The collar (aka around the neck) itself is soft and lies flat and it’s bulky. There’s no tag in the back of the shirt - the words are just printed on, but don’t stick out or have any sensory aspect to them at all, it just feels like the rest of the shirt. There is a tag in the side seam of the shirt (like they tend to do nowadays) but it can be snipped out.

These shirts are available in short sleeve, short sleeve v-neck, and short sleeve with chest pocket. The Solid colors are softer than the Heather colors! (I felt them all in the store.) 

[howsoftisit]

Iridescent Lace at Hart's Fabric

(submitted by user signed-me-again)

*sees this blog*

*grabs my favorite stim toy*

A yard and a half by two and a half yards of grey iridescent lace from Hart’s Fabric. (Disclaimer: I measured it myself just now; I don’t remember if that’s actually how much I bought.)

I basically just wrap it around myself. I call it my “weightless blanket”.

I’m one of those people who doesn’t like “soft” and especially “fuzzy”. I can’t stand fabrics like burlap, corduroy, and velvet. I prefer smooth, stretchy, very even/uniform fabrics.

Accordingly, in terms of “soft”, this fabric is like a 3.5. I’d describe it as “just a little rough”. If you press it against yourself (hard) and rub, it feels like one of those sensory brushes, except less “differentiated”–it’s a single fabric, no bristles.

It gives the feeling of “contact”/weight/surface stimming without being “heavy”. If I reach out a hand under it with my fingers outstretched, my fingertips still don’t have that much weight on them. It’s also really stretchy.

Thus, it accommodates movement to the point where I barely notice it if I wear it as a shawl. I can even flap with it draped over my hand. (If I don’t give the hand enough fabric, though, it’s liable to come off.)

It doesn’t really get “cool” or “warm” if you put it in cold or hot areas–I even wrapped mine around a bottle of ice for half an hour without significant effect. Nevertheless, it traps more heat than it looks/feels like it should. Be careful when wearing it in non-air-conditioned places in summer.

tl;dr:

stretchy

smooth (not fuzzy)

light (not heavy)

slightly rough (not soft)

sparkly (not matte)

can be bought at this link

Softness Rating: 3.5

[howsoftisit]

Can you describe the feel of the tangle fuzzy?

Absolutely! 

Tangle Fuzzy is the same thing as the Tangle jr., but covered in very short fuzz. A new one has a fuzzy feel that I can only describe as velvet-y. The fuzz is very short - probably less than 1mm. 

I would rate it as a 7.5/10 on the Softness Scale - pretty soft, but nothing extraordinary. 

I tried to find a good close-up picture so you could see the texture: 

My qualm with the tangle fuzzy was how quickly the fuzz rubbed off. Within a few short hours of opening my fuzzy tangle, the fuzz had rubbed off in some places, so you could feel the plastic beneath. The fuzz also gets dirty if you keep in your pocket or something. It’d be good for someone who would enjoy the velvet-y feel of it but not necessarily Tangle Vigorously with it. 

Hope this helps! 

[howsoftisit]

Is there an interest in textile stuff from IKEA? Given that most of their smaller stuff is order-a-ble and I am rather sure I will be there at the latest in January I could test-touch products, like their bedsheets and stuff, as they usually have those on display.

YES PLEASE! :D 

[howsoftisit]

C9 Champion Men’s Full Zip Hoodie = Quite Soft

Link to the product  (high quality pictures there)

tl;dr: Quite Soft - 9/10

I got this hoodie about a month ago and have worn it quite often and washed it maybe 4 times so far. 

Like most hoodies, the more you wash it, the less soft it becomes. However, it’s holding up pretty well and it still pretty soft! The outside is a smoother soft than most sweatshirts have. It’s almost softer on the outside than on the inside. 

The hood is lined with a smooth fabric similar to the outside layer rather than the fuzzy inside fabric. It’s extremely soft and my favorite part of the sweatshirt. 

I would say it’s a medium weight sweatshirt. Not as thin as some, but also not very thick. 

In short, it’s Soft! Good buy. (paid $10 for it and definitely worth it). 

[howsoftisit]

DENIZEN® from Levi's® - Men's Athletic Fit Jeans = Soft

Link to the Product (more high quality pictures)

tl;dr: Very Soft! 

Soft Rating: 8/10 

I have these pants in both black and khaki, and both are extremely soft. They are made of a stretchier fabric than regular jeans, so they’re both softer and more comfortable. 

The front pockets are made from a different material than the pants themselves. They’re extremely soft and stretchy. There is also a side zipper pocket built in. However, it’s not bulky at all, and if you don’t have anything in the pocket then I don’t think you would notice it. I forget that it’s there and I’m quite sensitive to things like that.  

The pants themselves have a brushed-feel of softness - like how flannel is called brushed cotton, this has that same brushed feel but it’s not cotton. They are made from what feels like polyester and spandex/rayon blend, but I of course cut out the tags as soon as I got them so I can’t say for sure. 

They are lightweight and thin enough that I don’t overheat on warmer days. Definitely cooler than wearing regular jeans. They’re also still decently tough though, so they haven’t caught on anything or gotten torn or had any loose threads.