For thousands of years silk has been the most luxurious and sought after fibers. Silk carries with it unique qualities such as a luster and softness that forms to the body like no other fabric and photographs with lively display. Its also very versatile and can be used to produce fabrics that look, feel and behave very differently from each other.

We like to compare silk to chocolate. Who wouldn’t?

Just like you can savor a decadent chocolate mousse, you can wear a fabulous silk charmeuse.

Silk is like chocolate in that it needs two basic descriptions: The What and The How.
You can have Chocolate (the what) ice cream (the how).
You can have Silk (the what) satin (the how).
In textiles this is called the fiber and the finish.

Here are some of the most popular silk bridal fabrics:

• Silk Satin – Smooth to the touch with a high luster and great body
• Silk Taffeta – Crisp and light weight, with a slight texture to the weave
• Silk Charmeuse – Smooth, fluid, and glossy, this fabric offers a sensual drape
• Silk Shantung – Often called raw silk, this fabric has a nubby texture and a crisp finish
• Silk Dupioni – Similar to Shantung, but with more slubs, texture, and a subtle sheen
• Silk Organza – Sheer, often with a slight luster, this fabric has a clean, smooth finish
• Silk Mikado – Characterized by a polished hand and a diagonal and raised texture
• Silk Chiffon – With a weighted drape, it is sheer, thin, and transparent

This article was originally posted last spring, but thought it was time to give it another go-around.

Silk does for the body what diamonds do for the hand.
Oscar de la Renta

For thousands of years silk has been the most luxurious and sought after fibers. Silk carries with it unique qualities such as a luster and softness that forms to the body like no other fabric and photographs with lively display. Its also very versatile and can be used to produce fabrics that look, feel and behave very differently from each other.

We like to compare silk to chocolate. Who wouldn’t?

Just like you can savor a decadent chocolate mousse, you can wear a fabulous silk charmeuse.

Silk is like chocolate in that it needs two basic descriptions: The What and The How.
You can have Chocolate (the what) ice cream (the how).
You can have Silk (the what) satin (the how).
In textiles this is called the fiber and the finish.

Here are some of the most popular silk bridal fabrics:

• Silk Satin – Smooth to the touch with a high luster and great body
• Silk Taffeta – Crisp and light weight, with a slight texture to the weave
• Silk Charmeuse – Smooth, fluid, and glossy, this fabric offers a sensual drape
• Silk Shantung – Often called raw silk, this fabric has a nubby texture and a crisp finish
• Silk Dupioni – Similar to Shantung, but with more slubs, texture, and a subtle sheen
• Silk Organza – Sheer, often with a slight luster, this fabric has a clean, smooth finish
• Silk Mikado – Characterized by a polished hand and a diagonal and raised texture
• Silk Chiffon – With a weighted drape, it is sheer, thin, and transparent

These are our favorite basics. Check back soon for some of our less frequented favorites like razmir, gazar, crepe, peau de soie, brocade, organdy, and many other fascinating fabrics. Lace is a whole other post, too.