At first, I thought it would be softer and less course. Feels like a real wool sweater, super soft but each stand alone is scratchy somewhat. But i still love it! after vacuuming it it fluffed up and is so soft thick underfoot. It does shed alot but that was expected. I'm vacuuming every other day but that's because I have two kids and a dog who cannot resist rolling around on it and dragging the fluffs around. Hope the shedding cuts down within month. Definitely ivory and not pure white.Totally transformed the look of my room!