How can you tell real silk from polyester?

Why does it matter in the UAE?

Comfort and value. Silk is a natural protein fibre that absorbs and releases moisture, which the textile trade measures as moisture regain [source]; most polyesters absorb very little, so they feel clammy in heat. With summer readings above 50°C [source] and humid nights in winter, the difference is felt within minutes. Silk also costs more, so you should know what you are paying for.

How does silk feel and look?

Silk warms quickly to your touch and feels soft rather than slippery. Its sheen is pearly and changes as the fabric moves, because the fibre's structure reflects light at different angles. The FAO describes the silk filament as a continuous thread of great strength, 500 to 1,500 metres long [source]; that long, fine filament is what gives silk its fluid drape.

Which quick tests can you do?

Is the burn test reliable?

For a swatch, yes, and it is how many workrooms confirm fibres. Never test a finished garment; ask for a cutting from the same bolt and test it safely over a non-flammable surface. Blends complicate results, which is why laboratories use microscopy and chemical tests for precise analysis.

Which silk fabrics are used for gowns?

Crepe for drape, chiffon and georgette for floating layers, organza for crisp volume, duchess satin and mikado for structure, and silk tulle for veils. Each behaves differently in heat and humidity. Our fabric guide for UAE heat explains where each one works.

What should you ask your designer?

Ask for the fibre content of the outer fabric and the lining in writing, see swatches in daylight, and ask which parts, if any, use synthetics and why. Some synthetics are chosen deliberately, for stiff petticoat tulle, for example. The point is that you know.

How should you care for a silk gown?

Keep perfume and deodorant off it, steam rather than iron, and have it cleaned by a specialist. Store it as our storage guide explains.

Is wild silk the same as mulberry silk?

No. Mulberry silk comes from cultivated silkworms and is smooth and even. Wild silks such as tussah are slubbier and more textured. Both are real silk, with different looks.

How should a silk gown be lined?

With silk habotai, silk crepe de chine or fine cotton voile, all of which breathe. A polyester lining under silk cancels much of silk's comfort, so ask what the lining is as well as the outer fabric.

Why is silk more expensive?

Because of how it is produced and processed: cultivating silkworms, reeling fine filaments, throwing and weaving them. Pure silk crepe or satin of good weight costs many times more than polyester, and the price varies by weave, weight and origin.