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Types of Silk

by Ghaith Nassar

Textures of silks vary, Some sparkle others glow with an iridescent sheen. Silk twill and silk satin have beautiful draping qualities and volume and bounce. Whereas Silk chiffon is transparent, sparkles and flows in the slightest breeze.

Lustre, Silk radiates and reflects light. The surface of silk interacts with the surrounding light. All silks have a sparkle and shimmer even in low light.

  • Silk satin has the most polished texture that glows, it drapes and flows beautifully.
Blue and Orange Incantation Silk Scarf, Gift Idea, Gift for her, Gift for him, Wellness, Mindfulness, Meditation

Image by Ghaith Nassar

 

  • Silk Twill has a soft shimmering glow, it is the type of silk most often used for high quality scarves.
Red and Blue Ancestral Love Scarf, Arabic Calligraphy, Wellness, Mindfulness, luxury scarf

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  • Silk chiffon glitters and sparkles, it floats in the slightest breeze. It is often used in evening dresses.
Dark grey pink and blue silk chiffon scarf, Gift Idea, Christmas gift, Arabic Calligraphy, Doodle Scarf, Quirky design, art lover

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  • Habotai silk has a lustrous subtle sheen. Habotai in Japanese means ‘as soft as down’. This silk was traditionally used in the making of kimonos.
Black, Dark purple and deep pink incantation scarf, 100% silk scarf, Incantation, Ritual for leaving the house, Wellness, Mindfullness

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  • Crepe de chine silk is very lightweight and breathable. It has a pearlescent lustre and a slightly bumpy texture. Often used in evening wear.
  • Charmeuse silk is woven to give extra lustre and shine on the front and dull on the back. This type of sin is used in the production of pillowcases and duvet covers. It is very gentle on skin and hair. It keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer.
  • Silk Pongee is a medium weight silk with a plain weave with a clubbed effect. It is the type of silk used for dresses, umbrellas and suits. It is the best lining alternative to synthetic acetate lining. The structure of pongee is very similar to nylon but is stronger and much better in terms of sustainability and is recyclable. Pongee silk is waterproof, very strong, resists moths and mildew and is very lightweight.
  • Strength, Silk is strong and durable when dry. When wet it weakens therefore care must be taken when washing. Dry cleaning does not damage silk fibres.
  • Softness, each of the silks used in the collection has its own characteristic softness. Silk satin is cool and silky. Chiffon is crisper and holds its volume. Silk twill is full of volume and bounce and has a velvety softness.
  • Thermal qualities, silk will not cause overheating yet can keep you insulated.

For more information on the different types of silk fabrics please see Biddle SawyerSilks' amazing descriptions.

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