It looks very real the blanket is mostly silky but it has a few rough spots but those are intentional to give it more dimension and make it look more real. There's been no shedding so far. It quiet warm and heavy but stiff. Its a little easier to tell its fake from up close but even a foot or two away or bundled up at the end of a bed it looks real. I wish it was larger though, it seems to be a tiny bit smaller than advertised but nothing to get excited about. I should have ordered the largest size anyways.