Do you need more silk in your wardrobe?

 

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Silk has long been a material associated with luxury. It has many practical benefits, which can make it a great choice of material in many situations. Below are a few reasons to incorporate more silk into your wardrobe.

Silk adapts to the temperature

Silk has unique properties that allow it to stay cool in hot weather while also trapping heat in cold weather. This makes silk as useful a material for a summer dress as it is for a winter scarf. Silk shirts can meanwhile be worn all year round, helping you to regulate your temperature in the heat and cold. Check out this Esquire guide to silk shirts to compare some of the best options.

Silk promotes better sleep

A lot of nightwear uses silk because a) it’s breathable, and b) it’s super soft. This can help to promote a much more comfortable sleep by reducing sweating and making you feel more snug. If you get uncomfortable at night, consider getting yourself some silk pyjamas or treat yourself to something more luxurious such a Natori chemise. 

Silk is great for sensitive skin

If you have eczema or acne, you could find that materials like cotton rub more and irritate your skin. Silk is much more tightly woven and does not create the same friction, making it a better choice of material for those with sensitive skin. If you currently wear cotton clothing or synthetic fibres, consider switching to silk shirts and other silk clothing items and see if it makes a difference.

Silk is hypoallergenic

Allergen substances like mould, dust mites and pollen cannot penetrate silk. This makes it a much more suitable material for those with allergies than many other fabrics. Hypoallergenic bedding such as bedsheets and pillowcases often use silk. Combining this with silk nightwear could potentially help to reduce allergic reactions if you suffer from allergies at night. Some people can be allergic to silk, but this is fortunately very rare. 

Silk is incredibly robust

You may have heard before that silk is stronger than steel. This has some truth to it - while silk strands are thinner than human hairs, they have more tensile strength than steel, which makes silk clothing very hard-wearing and long-lasting compared to fabrics like cotton. Silk can still tear, but usually this is because fibres come apart rather than fibres snapping.  The downside to silk is that it can stain easily and these stains are hard to remove, so you may not want to wear it in messy environments. 

Silk is biodegradable and recyclable

Those who care about sustainable fashion may be interested to know that untreated silk is also completely biodegradable, unlike many of today’s synthetic materials. Silk can also be recycled - individually fibres can be taken apart and woven into new clothing. It is worth noting that silk is not vegan as it is made by silkworms and many of them are unfortunately killed in the process. Some silk is harvested in a more ethical way, which may be something to look into if you are concerned about how it is made.