Each fabric offers unique qualities and benefits, making them suitable for different uses, preferences, and fashion requirements. Silk stands out for its luxurious feel, hypoallergenic properties, and elegant appearance, while other fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool offer their own strengths in terms of comfort, breathability, and eco-friendliness.
Fabric | Texture | Appearance | Breathability | Moisture-Wicking | Hypoallergenic | Strength | Care | Eco-Friendliness |
Silk (Silk Satin) | Smooth, soft, luxurious | Natural sheen, elegant | Highly breathable, suitable for various climates | Excellent, keeps you dry | Yes, gentle on sensitive skin | Surprisingly strong and durable | Requires gentle handling, often dry cleaning | Biodegradable and renewable |
Cotton | Soft, breathable | Matte finish, casual | Highly breathable, great for warm weather | Good, can retain moisture | Generally yes, but can cause irritation for some | Strong, durable, withstands frequent washing | Easy to care for, machine washable | Varies; organic cotton is eco-friendly |
Synthetic Satin | Smooth, glossy on one side, matte on the other | Shiny, luxurious | Less breathable | Moderate, can feel slippery when damp | No for polyester, nylon type | generally strong | machine washable | less eco-friendly |
Linen | Crisp, cool, slightly rougher | Natural, textured, matte finish | Extremely breathable, great for hot climates | Excellent, quickly absorbs and releases moisture | Yes, naturally resistant to bacteria and allergens | Very strong, durable, softens with each wash | wrinkle easily, often requires ironing | Highly eco-friendly |
Viscose | Soft, smooth | Lustrous, silk-like sheen | Good, breathable | Good, absorbs moisture | Generally yes, but some may be sensitive | Moderate, less durable than silk | Requires gentle washing, can shrink | ess eco-friendly due to chemical processing |
Rayon | Soft, smooth | Silk-like, shiny | Good, breathable | Good, absorbs moisture | Generally yes, but some may be sensitive | Moderate, less durable than silk | Requires gentle washing, can shrink | Less eco-friendly due to chemical processing |
Wool | Warm, soft, sometimes itchy | Matte to slight sheen, textured | Good, insulates well | Excellent, absorbs moisture while feeling dry | Generally yes, but can cause irritation for some | Very strong, durable | Often requires dry cleaning, can shrink and felt | Renewable, biodegradable |
Modal | Very soft, smooth | Lustrous, silk-like | Good, breathable | Excellent, absorbs moisture well | Generally yes, gentle on skin | Strong, durable | Easy to care for, machine washable | More eco-friendly than rayon |
Common miss-understanding about silk and satin
Satin is not the same as silk. Satin refers to one type of weaving process for fabric in apparel industry. While silk is a natural fiber material derived from silkworms and can be used in weaving to silk satin fabric. On the other hand, other synthetic fiber materials such as polyester, viscose or rayon, etc. can also be weaved with satin fabrics.
Silk satin and silk crepe are both high-end fabrics, with silk satin’s glossy finish and luxurious attributes aligning more closely with traditional luxury aesthetics and eco-friendly material. Synthetic fiber satin or crepe, although it display similar sheen and glossy look, is positioned as mid-to-low-end products due to its lower cost and relatively ordinary texture.
QENSILK only adopts 100% pure mulberry silk in its nightgown and nightwear products. We want you to feel spoiled and cherished with authentic natural and elegant silk products, while supporting our dedication to sustainable and eco-friendly fashion.