When choosing the perfect material for your clothing, bedding, or home furnishings, it may become evident that you will be paying slightly more for materials such as silk. Although, yes, pricier than most materials, the higher price tag is reflective of the multitude of beneficial qualities that silk bedding and clothing offers. In this blog post, we will be outlining what benefits are the benefits of silk and why certain types of silk are slightly more expensive investments.
Before we look at the benefits of using silk pillowcases, sheets and clothing, it is important to get a feel for the different types of silk that are out there and how their qualities compare. These types of silk include:
- Charmeuse Silk – This type of silk is the most commonly used silk in bedding and clothing. It is a lightweight product with natural elastic qualities. This makes it ideal for silk pillowcases and duvets, as it ensures to keep you warm and insulated in the winter, but cool in the summer. The difference in Charmeuse silk is that the front of the silk has a smooth satin sheen to it, whereas the back has a dull finish to it.
- Mulberry Silk – Mulberry Silk is the silk that we here at Jasmine Silk use to create our high-quality silk garments and bedding. In fact, it is the most sought-after silk when it comes to bedding. The silkworm from which Mulberry silk is made is fed an extremely strict diet, consisting of mulberry tree leaves and is bred in captivity purely for this reason.
- Tussah Silk – Tussah Silk is actually made from a wild silkworm that has not been bred specifically for silk making. As the silkworm is wild and not fed a specific or strict diet, this silk tends to not be as soft and durable as other silks and is made predominantly in India instead of China.
- Habotai Silk – Habotai silk is also a popular choice when it comes to producing silk bedding. It is a slightly less expensive silk, but this is due to it being less durable than other forms such as Charmeuse silk. Often, this silk is created by washing it with sand. This helps it feel as soft as Mulberry, but this process destroys a lot of the silk’s fibres, meaning it doesn’t last half as long.
Why is Mulberry silk so expensive?
Mulberry silk is an incredibly high-quality silk that has a super soft and luxurious finish. The careful breeding and quality control that goes into the making of Mulberry silk makes it the very finest silk you will find on the market today, hence why the price range is slightly higher than others.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive silk?
Cheaper types of silk tend to have more elasticity in them and aren’t as durable and luxurious when it comes to the touch. This is down to the thread count within the silk and its momme weight. More expensive silks have a higher momme weight, giving them that thick, luxurious feel whilst remaining lightweight and airy.
Momme weight is the weight of the silk and will contribute to the final price of silk you end up paying for, depending on how heavy it is. Developed by the Japanese to measure things like pearls, this isn’t something you can do whilst out shopping, but you can always check the labels and manufacturers’ listings. Ideally, you want to look for a momme weight greater than 14 for bedding.
Silk Pillowcases
One of the most popular silk items that took the market by storm in recent years is the silk pillowcase. Despite the higher price tag, more and more people made the switch to silk when it came to their sleeping arrangements – but why?
Silk pillowcases have so many benefits for the skin and hair thanks to the gentle nature of silk. Sleeping on a silk surface reduces hair breakage and frizz, meaning those who wanted to invest in better haircare found themselves sleeping with a silk pillowcase for longer, shinier locks. Silk also doesn’t retain moisture, meaning that the skin can remain hydrated during sleep. This leaves the eye area and face looking refreshed each morning. The natural hypoallergenic qualities of silk also encouraged those with sensitive skin to give a silk pillowcase a try, leading to reduced irritation throughout the night.
Find out more about how a silk pillowcase will work wonders in your skin and hair care routine.
Silk Bedding
It’s not just silk pillowcases that provide all these wonderful benefits as you sleep. Switching to silk bedding completely, whether that be with silk sheets or a silk duvet, you’ll be unlocking a much better night’s rest. So why choose to pay the higher price tag for silk bedding?
Silk is the only material out there that can naturally regulate body temperature, making it the perfect bedding material to use all year round. In the summer, silk will allow the skin to breathe and keep you cool, and during the cold winter months, silk will provide a toasty warm sleeping environment. Many people who suffer from allergies or sensitive skin opt to invest in silk bedding thanks to its hypoallergenic qualities. Say goodbye to sleep disturbance caused by allergies or irritation and let silk bedding provide a comfortable night’s sleep.
Silk Clothing
The versatility of silk garments alone is reason enough to spend more on higher-quality silk clothing. Good quality silk clothing is made to last, making silk garments a wardrobe staple for years to come. Whether it be a silk shirt, camisole or skirt, silk clothing can be dressed up or down, perfect for any occasion. From elegant workwear to evening sophistication, silk clothing offers versatility like no other.
So, is silk worth the money?
YES! Investing in silk products may come with a higher price tag, but also a magnitude of benefits that can’t be found elsewhere. Say hello to a better night’s sleep or a sustainable wardrobe of silk staples and make the switch to silk today, we promise you won’t regret it.
For more information or to shop our vast range of silk products, head over to our website, or check out our blog for more relative articles, buying guides, and more.
