The Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Silk Fabric

Silk is a luxurious and versatile fabric that has been used for centuries to make clothing and home furnishings. With around 35 different types of silk fabrics commonly used, it can be difficult to understand what your next online purchase will really look and feel like.. That’s why we have created this short and to the point guide for the most common and sought-after types of silk fabrics.

Charmeuse:

This soft and lightweight fabric is perfect for producing delicate dresses, scarves, lingerie and blouses. With its lustrous shine on one side and a dull matte finish on the other, Charmeuse is often confused with satin. Think of this one as satins lighter and airier, but less voluminous, sister.

Chiffon:

Made from fine twisted fibres, Chiffon silk is a very lightweight fabric with a slight stretch to it. It’s perfect for layering and creating volume, commonly used for special occasion and wedding dresses, scarves, blouses and shirts. It has a sheer, transparent appearance and a shimmery surface. Unfortunately, chiffon can fray easily if neglected.

Check out these One-of-a-Kind Pure Silk Scarves

Crêpe-de-chine:

Floaty and soft, this plain-weave fabric has a muted lustre and distinctive crimped texture. It’s a lightweight material with excellent drape, perfect for summer dresses, blouses, camisole tops, and lingerie.

Dupion Silk:

This plain-weave, tightly woven double-thread silk has a crisp, textured appearance. It’s a strong, durable fabric with a lustrous shine, making it perfect for elegant dresses, jackets, evening wear and bridal wear.

Georgette:

This sheer, lightweight, plain-weave fabric has a coarse texture and is perfect for dresses, blouses, evening gowns and scarves. Not to be mistaken with Chiffon, Georgette is heavier but carries the same characteristics in terms of not creasing and holding a beautiful drape.

Habotai:

This soft and lightweight plain-weave fabric has a smooth, glossy finish. It’s the classic silk used for lining, but can also be used for making scarves, summer blouses or lingerie. Crêpe de Chine or chiffon provide more fluidity, yet Habotai is not as stiff as an organza – sitting somewhere in between.

Organza:

This sheer, fine and lightweight open-weave fabric has a smooth sheen. Although a thin material, its highly twisted threads create a strong, durable material. It’s perfect for collars, veils, facings and evening wear.

Silk Satin:

This highly valuable fabric has a rich look and feel with a glossy, shiny surface that emits a mesmerizing shine. Silk satin doesn’t cling, making it superior to cheaper polyester versions. It’s a popular choice of material for evening gowns and bridal wear to add a touch of luxury and glamour.

Shantung:

Made with short and coarse fibres, Shantung is stiff to the touch but lightweight and airy. Similar to Dupion with its texture, though the finish tends to be more irregular. It’s great for use in shirts, dresses, and trousers where a degree of rigidity is valued.

Velvet:

This luxurious, medium-to-heavy-weight silk fabric is made with multiple warps and wefts. It’s unusually soft and creates a beautifully soft and flat drape. The shine of velvet is remarkable, creating intricate fluxes of light against each peek of the drape.

So which silk is right for you?

Each type of silk fabric has its own unique qualities and uses. A safe bet for lustre and luxury is silk satin. A safe bet for structure paired with a sheer finish is organza. But that is not to say that a safe bet is always right. For example, a beautiful dupion could provide an additional element of texture that satin simply cannot. When choosing your next silk garment reference back to this guide and make sure that the characteristics we have specified for each fabric are what you are looking for in that garment.