SHATNEZ GUIDELINES 1. All wool garments should be checked for shatnez. 2. All linen garments should be checked for shatnez. 3. All lined garments such as jackets or coats, regardless of fiber label, should be checked for shatnez. 4. All “linen-look” garments (having a varied or rusticated weave and lustre) should be checked for shatnez.
ADDITIONAL SHATNEZ INFORMATION Be wary of garments that list “Other Fibers” (O.F.) on the fiber contents label. Other Fibers means that reprocessed fibers are used. There can be both wool and linen fibers present, hence a shatnez problem. If such a garment has been purchased it should be checked to see if it is permissible to wear. Purchasing a garment from a frum or heimesh retailer, or which carries the label of a frum manufacturer does not mean that it is shatnez free. Labels or retailers often contract with independent foreign subcontractors to produce garments. Unfortunately they either give loose specifications regarding internal materials, or the subcontractor makes unauthorized, undetected substitutions, resulting in the presence of shatnez. There have been many instances where reliance on the shatnez-free guarantees from frum retailers or manufacturers regarding their merchandise has been sadly mistaken. Do not rely on any rule of thumb which states that the majority of garments made in country X are known to be free of shatnez, or conversely that the majority of garments made in country Y are known to contain shatnez. Clothing manufacture is constantly changing. Manufacturers are always looking for cheaper suppliers and therefore the internal components of garments themselves constantly change. With the exception of traditional bespoke tailored garments and some military clothing made in Eastern Europe, there is almost no national culture of clothing manufacture remaining in the world. You may not try on a garment that is known to contain shatnez. If a garment is not known to contain shatnez, (meaning it might or might not) it may be tried on for size, but not worn until checked. A garment made by a manufacturer known to always contain shatnez (such as Hugo Boss or Aquascutum) according to most poskim, may not even be tried on. All vintage garments made before 1939 should be checked for shatnez. Before WWII there were no synthetic fibers in practical use in the garment industry. Linen was used extensively as interfacing in all kinds of garments. Suits may be returned if found to contain shatnez after checking but before any alterations are made.