Silk has been around for over 5000 years since its invention in China. Once forbidden to the public by the Chinese emperor, nowadays many refer to silk as the Queen of fabrics by many. It has been discovered in Egyptian mummies and in Rome, people claimed women were at risk of becoming promiscuous. A lot has happened since then and nowadays many value silk not only for its luxurious and soft qualities but also because it’s durable, hypoallergenic, and it provides an unbelievable feeling on your skin. It’s one of the most valued fabrics in the world, in part because of its benefits. But to reap all the benefits that silk offers, consumers should keep in mind that only real silk can truly offer what they’re looking for.
Here is some interesting info you need to know about real silk.
The price of real silk is higher than synthetic silk and the primary reason is the production process. Real silk is not mass-produced but delicately crafted by experts, silk producers, and silkworms using traditional equipment and investing a significant amount of time. A yard of silk can cost up to $100, but the price depends on the type of silk and the amount of work put into producing it. If we consider the labor, the craftsmanship and the uniqueness of each garment created following the traditional techniques, it’s worth the price.
Real silk has benefits that synthetic silk simply can’t offer: it doesn’t dry your skin, it’s very soft to touch and it will help your skin feel warmer or cooler depending on the season. It’s also hypoallergenic, which means it doesn’t cause skin reactions and it doesn’t remove moisture from the skin. With so many options on the market, to find out whether a garment is made of real silk can be daunting. How can you tell if it’s made from real or artificial silk? Here are 5 ways to know:
A garment made of real, handcrafted silk will not have the same price as cotton or other fabrics. It’s not always the case, but if an item seems too cheap to be true, ask the supplier.
Handcrafting silk makes every piece of fabric unique, which means it will not be perfect. There will always be a sign that someone did that and not just a machine. If your garment is perfectly smooth and with no imperfections at all, that probably means it’s synthetic.
Real silk shines a bit when placed in sunlight. If you see no shine or sparkles, that’s not real silk.
As mentioned above, natural silk will keep your skin warm or cool, and it does that naturally. Synthetic silk will feel like a regular soft fabric on your skin. Real silk leaves a unique feel on your skin that other fabrics simply don’t.
Real silk is very strong, it will not tear easily. To test its durability and strength without destroying your garment, just pull out a thread and try to fluff it up: if it’s real silk, it will remain the same. Also, if you burn that thread, you will know if it’s natural silk or not: if it smells like burnt plastic, it’s definitely not silk.
Real silk is made from a natural protein fiber produced by silkworms to form their cocoons. To manufacture silk, first, the silkworms need to be cared for since they are eggs until they complete their cocoons and this requires a substantial amount of time and land to keep them in their trees, usually mulberry trees, to feed off the leaves. Silkworms have a tube in their head, called a spinneret, that secretes a liquid that becomes harder when exposed to air and it becomes two filaments which will then be merged by another liquid called sericin. A sericulturist then will soak the cocoons in hot water and weave the filaments into beautiful, soft, and luxurious silk fabric. Real silk results from a wonderful combination of nature and wonderful artisanal skills.
When purchasing silk, the most important thing to consider is: is it real, natural silk or is it mixed with other materials?
The increasing popularity, availability and demand for silk also brings deceitful or mislabelled products into the picture that we should know. Many brands use a mix of natural and synthetic fibers for their garments, as it reduces production and manufacturing costs.
The most common and highest quality type of pure silk is mulberry silk. It is also the most traditional one, its production is still following traditional methods today. They only fed the silkworms mulberry leaves, and the produced silk is one of the finest in the world, with its natural color being pearl white. It’s also the most durable type of natural silk and it represents 90% of silk production.
There is another type of pure silk: Tussah silk. It uses wild silk moths that feed on a wide variety of vegetation, giving the fabric a surprising range of colors, including cream, honey and brown.
There are many misconceptions around silk, and many labels can be misleading. For example, satin is not a type of silk. It is a weaving technique, also used to produce fabrics made of real silk. To make sure you buy a garment made with pure silk, look for the word silk on the label. An honest seller will always include 100% silk in their descriptions or labels, and it’s recommended to always ask the seller before purchasing silk.
When choosing a piece of clothing, check the labels closely: the terms Chiffon, Organza or Crepe are also types of fabric made with pure silk, but watch out: they might contain other synthetic fibers.
All our silk garments at LeaSilk are made with 100% pure silk and you can order from our Etsy shop.
And if you want to learn more about silk, check out our post about the power of silk here!
]]>Smooth and silky fabric is never out of season or out of fashion. The beauty of the light weight fabrics such as silk and cotton makes them loved by all. The silk feels soft, smooth, sensuous and sensational too, thus enhances the beauty and charm of the wearer. The ancient Chinese fabric has won a prominent position in the modern day fashion world. Silk outfits look luxurious and create and elegant silhouette. Because of the seductive sheen and intense allure, silk is a popular evening wear too. The Silk slip dresses and gowns can make you look extremely gorgeous and head-turning. Silk is also highly popular as a nightwear because of sensual charms and comfortable feel. Silk is very wearable fabric, which can win your heart in no time and become your favorite wardrobe staple. Here we share some of the most popular, trendy and must-have silk clothing items that you should buy right now.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A SILK ROBE FOR WOMEN
One thing that every woman should own for an instant style boost and that is a silk robe. Whether you slip it on as a self care for the lazy Sunday morning, use it post shower or practically love to live in it, silk robes are must-haves for your closet. The point is that you can sensationally glam up your stay-at-home style, almost effortlessly, with just a silk robe. Apart from all the rest, it looks luxurious and classy feel. There are various kinds of silk robes available on our site that you must never to feel and own. They are highly trendy and classy.
EASY TO STYLE WITH
The most exciting way to enhance your personal style is to throw a pretty and luxurious looking silk robe over your shoulders. It can serve the purpose as a n ideal cover-up for summer or fall outfits. Beachwear can be taken as a perfect combo with silk robes. Even the lounge wear inspired outfit ideas look fabulous if paired with silk robes. You can flawlessly wear it with plain white T shirt and jeans.
LUXURIOUS & HANDMADE
The collection of luxurious silk robes is irresistible wardrobe staples and wearing them can add a chic sophisticated note to your overall fashion style. If you are looking for a practical twist to your day outfit, you can try pairing them with body con dress. You can team it up with you jeans and basic tank top for a celebrity style that is simply head-turning.
SILK KIMONO
Nothing can be as stylish as a vibrant silk kimono paired up with almost anything. The fashion influencers, celebrities and stylists are using this wardrobe staple with shorts, tees, fitted dresses, sneakers, crop tops, sneakers and sandals. The silk kimonos are the perfect summer/fall layering without compromising on fashion and style. The modern silk kimonos are embellished with delicate detailing, making them perfect clothing item for the elegant women. There are endless styling options with silk kimonos. You can wear them with a romper and gladiator sandals for a beach party.
SATIN SILK ROBE - the softest silk
A beautiful satin robe can truly be a treasured item in your lingerie closet. The soft, smooth feel, the luxurious fabric and wonderful look is all that is need to inspire you to own a satin robe. The robes are both functional and decorative, so they serve the purpose while keeping you in trendy personal style. The robes of silk are ideal to cover up all body sizes or shapes, enhancing the delicate feminine silhouette.
LONG, SHORT & MORE..
There are many sizes and lengths of robes available but the classic long robes are simply unavoidable. They are adored by many fashionistas as a perfect way to enhance bedroom glamour. They also make a perfect fashion addition for winter season’s indoor wardrobe.
WHY YOU MUST-HAVE A SILK SLIP DRESS
If we think of one fashion trend that seems to stay forever, that will be the silk slip dresses. The versatility of silk slip dresses makes is perfect wardrobe staple that you can wear and pair with almost anything from day to night out. They can be adopted as a great street style inspired outfit style of night glam. Nothing seems to go wrong with silk slip dresses. In winters, you can try out multiple layering to enhance its style, while in summer they are ideal for just put on and go. Belted, layered worn with jacket or blazer and evening with sequins, a slip dress is all you need to countless many amazing styles.
WHY TO OWN SILK PAJAMAS FOR WOMEN
The silk pajamas are one of the most favorite sleepwear for many women around the globe. The reason is that silk is a natural fabric, super-comfy, highly reliable and looks extremely luxurious. Owning silk pajamas as sleepwear is what you need, for giving yourself a cherished dream, smooth feel and ravishing look. Undoubtedly, silk pajamas are a special treat for a good night’s sleep and gorgeous look. The best thing is that you don’t even feel like wearing anything in silk pajamas. They are light weight and soft and are not itchy or irritating at all like any other pajamas types. The keep you cool while providing just the essential cover up.
]]>
As women, we love to be both comfortable and beautiful. Yet often, comfort and beauty do not go hand in hand. If you've ever heard the phrase, “Beauty knows no pain,” you probably know why. High heeled shoes look wonderful, but hurt your feet. Sweat pants are comfortable, but ugly. It seems like you can't have both looks and comfort when it comes down to your clothes—unless of course, you're using silk as a material.
A silk robe is light, soft and comfortable, while still being incredibly beautiful. If you plan to go out and show off your apparel, a silk dress can be as comfortable as wearing your pajamas in public, yet you'll only be admired instead of looked down on for your comfort. If you have a favorite dress that is itchy or uncomfortable, a silk slip can help you blend comfort and beauty seamlessly.
That's not the only benefit it can provide however, a comfortable silk robe for your evening off has some surprising health benefits as well.
Silk doesn't just look and feel beautiful—it's also good for you. Silk is a natural fiber, and part of the natural components of silk are amino acids. These amino acids can help reduce signs of aging, such as fine lines or wrinkles.
Many dermatologists actually recommend that you sleep with a silk pillow case for this very reason, so that you don't end up irritating or damaging your face if you happen to sleep on your side. Although you may not be as concerned about the skin not on your face, it can still benefit from the same treatment.
Just by throwing on a silk slip, or wearing a silk dress instead of a cotton one, you are doing your skin a favor. Silk has also been found to help with those who have allergies, or skin conditions such as eczema.
Silk is so smooth that it minimizes skin irritation, helping sensitive skin to feel more comfortable, especially compared to courser fabrics such as cotton. It's also one of the most hypoallergenic fabrics in the world, so people who tend to be sensitive and easily break out can find this clothing a sweet relief.
Although it would be wonderful to not have to worry about the practicality of our clothing, one final benefit is that it is practical to wear. It can be gently washed, dries quickly, and is one of the strongest materials out there, which means it is unlikely to tear.
The fashion industry has come under fire recently for fast fashion that is loading the planet up with unnecessary amounts of clothing. It seems like you've hardly bought a new dress before it is out of fashion again. Our silk dresses are different from other brands because they are timeless, hand sewn with care. You won't find a better quality, and you'll be able to wear this same dress for years without ever feeling unfashionable.
It may be hard to believe that there is clothing out there that is stunningly beautiful, practical to care for, but also extremely comfortable and even healthy to wear. Silk is all of those things. If you have been wanting a natural fiber for your next article of clothing, choosing a silk dress, silk robe, or silk slip instead of cotton or other fabrics could give you the comfort and beauty you've been dreaming of.
]]>