How to Recognize Real Natural Silk ?

How to recognize silk: a unique and precious fabric

The touch of silk: softness and delicacy

To the touch, silk is extremely soft and provides a very pleasant sensation on the skin. This is due to the fineness of the silk fiber: its diameter is between 10 and 13 microns. For comparison, a human hair measures between 30 and 100 microns!

This characteristic gives silk an incomparable softness. As soon as you touch silk, you immediately feel this sensation of delicacy.

The visual appearance of silk: shine and finesse

Silk has a shiny appearance which captures the light for shimmering reflection effects. This visual effect is obtained thanks to the triangular structure of the silk fiber which reflects the light.

In addition, the great fineness of the fiber accentuates these luminous reflections so particular to silk. This gives that shiny, almost wet look that is so recognizable.

The weight of silk: lightness and fluidity

Despite its strength, silk is very light and has a low density. In fact, the density of silk is only 1.25 g/cm3. For comparison, cotton has a density of 1.5 to 1.6 g/cm3.

This property gives silk great fluidity. Silk fabrics have this ability to fit shapes lightly. We often talk about the fluidity of silk.

The resistance of silk: strength and durability

Silk fiber has excellent mechanical characteristics. Its tensile strength can reach 600 MPa, which is greater than that of steel!

Yet, thanks to the fineness of the fiber, silk remains very soft and pleasant to wear. It combines strength and softness, for exceptional durability. Well-maintained silk fabric can last for decades!

Also read: How is silk made ?

How to test fabric to identify real silk ?

The touch test to recognize silk

Just touch the fabric: the sensation of extreme softness betrays the presence of silk. Gently rub the fabric between your fingers: you should feel this characteristic delicacy.

This test is very simple to carry out yourself and does not require any special equipment.It allows you to recognize quickly and with certainty whether it is real silk or not. The unique sensation to the touch is impossible to reproduce with a synthetic material.

We recommend that you test several areas of the fabric to ensure that it is indeed silk throughout. Vary the pressure and observe how the silk slides between your fingers.

The combustion test to distinguish natural silk

Burn a small thread delicately: the silk burns with a bright flame giving off a whitish smoke and a characteristic smell of burning hair.

This test is definitive to recognize with certainty the presence of natural silk fibers. Indeed, synthetic fibers melt or burn differently, with a pungent smell of burnt plastic.

Be careful, however, to handle the flame carefully on a small piece of wire delicately taken. Perform this test outside and in a secure location.

The crinkle test to confirm the authenticity of the silk

Crumple the fabric: silk retains very marked folds which do not disappear. This confirms the presence of natural silk fibers.

This test allows you to check the nature of the textile. In fact, synthetic fibers do not hold creases as clearly as silk.

We advise you to crease an inconspicuous part of the garment, such as the hem. Observe how the fabric keeps the mark. This betrays the presence of silk with certainty.

So, by combining these 3 simple tests to carry out yourself, you will be able to identify real silk with certainty. Feel free to repeat them in different places to ensure authenticity.

Also read: What are the types of silk ?

The characteristics of natural silk

silk is a textile fiber of animal origin, produced by the silkworm to build its cocoon. It is characterized by:

• Its exceptional softness when touched, much more pleasant than synthetic materials.
• Its natural shine, which captures the light for shimmering reflections.
• Its lightness and its fluidity, with a very low density.
• Its tensile strength, higher than that of steel for a much lower weight!

These unique mechanical and physical properties make silk a very high quality textile material.

The shine and softness of silk have no equal. After years of working with textiles, I can assure you that nothing beats the feeling of beautiful silk between your fingers.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

Silk and its different qualities

There are several types of silk, depending on the species of silkworm and production techniques:

• The mulberry silk, the most widespread, comes from the mulberry bombyx. It is the finest and most precious silk.
• Wild silk is produced by naturally occurring silkworms. It is more irregular but very warm.
• spider silk has exceptional properties of strength and elasticity. But it is very rare and difficult to produce.

Recognize silk satin

silk satin is a fabric renowned for its soft and shiny feel. But how to recognize it ?

Distinguish satin from silk from synthetic satin

Silk satin has the characteristic shiny appearance of silk. While synthetic satin has a more dull and flat appearance. In addition, the touch immediately reveals the nature of the fabric: pleasant and soft sensation for silk, rough and pungent appearance for synthetic .

The use of satin in clothing and accessories

Silk satin is used in lingerie, nightwear, and evening dresses for its luxurious and delicate appearance. It is also found in scarves and ties in silk.

Silk satin for hair: advantages and benefits

Thanks to its extreme softness, silk satin is widely used for making pillowcases, headbands and hair accessories. It avoids friction and preserves the quality of the hair fiber. In addition, it brings shine and softness to the lengths and ends.

Also read: satin or silk ?

Distinguish real silk from polyester and other imitations

The differences between silk and polyester

Unlike silk, polyester has a rough feel, it is static and shines less. In addition, when burned it melts giving off a pungent smell of plastic.

Signs of imitation silk

Be wary of a fabric too shiny and stiff, or on the contrary dull and soft. Check by touch: the imitation does not provide the same delicate sensation. If in doubt, do the combustion test.

Also read: Natural or synthetic silk ?

Choosing a real silk scarf: criteria and advice

The color of the silk scarf: a sign of quality ?

The vividness of the colors is a good indicator: the natural dyes used for silk give deep and vibrant shades. Be wary of dull or faded colors.

The type of weave for a silk scarf

Choose handmade scarves with complex patterns, a sign of quality artisanal weaving. The cut thread gives a more shiny result. twill or gaze are more matte but just as elegant.

We always recommend choosing your textile accessories carefully. In addition to its timeless style, silk offers unique thermoregulation and resistance properties over time. A silk scarf or scarf will accompany you elegantly for many years.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

Also read: Is silk warm ?

The real mulberry silk pillowcase: how to recognize it ?

The benefits of a mulberry silk pillowcase

mulberry silk is renowned for its hypoallergenic and thermoregulatory qualities.It preserves the skin and hair thanks to its great softness. In addition, it provides comfort and well-being for quality sleep.

Recognizing a quality mulberry silk pillowcase

Choose mulberry satin, mulberry charmeuse or mulberry crepe for their delicate feel. Check the fineness and the regularity of the weave. Do the burn test to confirm authenticity.

Where to buy real silk ?

Silk can be found in haberdasheries, fabric stores and some linens. For silk clothing and accessories, contact local designers or specialized sites. Always test to ensure quality!

Conclusion

Recognizing real silk is quite simple thanks to its unique properties of softness, brilliance, lightness and resistance.

A few tests such as that of touch or combustion help to remove doubts. silk is easily distinguished from imitations such as polyester.

With a little practice and attention to detail, it is easy to identify a beautiful natural silk. Know how to spot its exceptional softness, its fluidity and its shimmering reflections.

The different types of silk such as mulberry silk or wild silk have all these qualities, to varying degrees. They remain textile materials of great nobility.

So don't hesitate to choose silk for durable and elegant accessories and clothing, or even your bed linen! silk enhances all outfits.

Characteristic	Recognition Test	Visual Look and Feel	Advice
Touch	Friction between fingers	Extreme and delicate softness	Test several areas of the fabric
Combustion	Burn a little thread	Bright flame, whitish smoke, smell of burning hair	Perform this test outside and in a secure location
Creasing	Crumple the fabric	Very marked folds	Crumple an inconspicuous part of the garment
Comparison with polyester	Touch and visual aspect	Silk: soft and shiny, Polyester: rough and less shiny	Beware of imitations in feel and shine
Choice of a silk scarf	Vibrancy of colors and type of weaving	Deep, vibrant colors, intricate patterns	Choose handmade scarves
Mulberry silk pillowcase	Burn test and weave check	Delicate touch, finesse and regularity of the weave	Choose mulberry satin, charmeuse or mulberry crepe

FAQ

How to distinguish silk from polyester ?

We distinguish silk from polyester thanks to the touch: silk is extremely soft while polyester is rough. In addition, polyester is static and shines less. Finally, when burned, it melts giving off a plastic smell.

How to recognize silk from satin ?

The satin is a type of weave. You can have silk satin or synthetic satin. To recognize silk satin, observe the characteristic shine and touch the fabric to feel its exceptional softness.

How to recognize a silk thread ?

A silk thread is distinguished by its great regularity, its fineness (diameter of 10 to 13 microns) and its reflections shimmering. To the touch, it is soft and slides delicately between the fingers.

How to recognize a silk garment ?

Touch the garment to feel its exceptional softness. Observe its shininess, its fluidity and check that it retains the folds. Also do the combustion test on a wire.

Satin or silk ?

Between silk or satin, we recommend silk for its softer touch, its shine natural and its thermoregulatory qualities. satin is also suitable but will be less comfortable.

Satin or silk for hair ?

We recommend silk for hair for its exceptional moisturizing and protective qualities. satin is also suitable but will be less soft and resistant in the long term.

Silk or satin sheet ?

Between silk or satin sheet, between silk or satin sheet, for bed linen, we recommend the silk sheet for its more soft and natural feel. The satin sheet is also very pleasant but wrinkles more easily.

Synthetic or natural silk ?

natural silk is always preferable for its incomparable softness and its thermoregulatory properties. synthetic silk is less breathable and comfortable against the skin.

Updated February 21, 2024