The summer season is on the table and the summer fabrics – on the hangers in our wardrobes. In case you are still wondering whether to choose that silk dress or the one made from polyester, here are some facts that might help you make up your mind…
Silk is one of the strongest and softest fabrics on the planet. It is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori, which is Latin for “silkworm of the mulberry tree”). Extracting raw silk starts by cultivating the silkworms on mulberry leaves. Interesting fact: in order to produce 1 kg of silk, 104 kg of mulberry leaves must be eaten by 3000 silkworms (at least that’s what Wikipedia suggests).
China is the most important silk producer in the world – more than half of the silk used worldwide is produced there. The second major producer is India.
Silk is an excellent choice for summer because of its good insulation properties – it keeps you warm during the cold months and cool during the hot ones. The low density of the fiber makes it perfect for comfortable clothing..
Clothes made of silk are lightweight, breathable, hypoallergenic and have good absorbency. They are usually shining and shimmering, which makes them the perfect choice for a sophisticated look. The shining appearance of the fabric is obtained thanks to the triangular structure of the thread, which allows silk to retract light from different angles.
What type of clothing is silk used for? The answer is everything but boring: formal dresses, smart-casual skirts, shirts, tunics, sleepwear, underwear and even home decorations.