Satin vs Silk

People use the two words as if they mean the same thing. They don't, and the difference isn't quality — it's category. Silk is a fibre. Satin is a weave. You can have silk satin, and you can have satin that has never been near a silkworm.

Silk is what it's made of

Silk is a natural protein fibre, spun by silkworms. It breathes, it takes dye deeply, it's warm in cold and cool in heat, and it has a soft dry hand rather than a slippery one. It also costs more, because producing it is slow.

The Champagne Silk Jacket is silk — champagne-gold, hand-finished, cut into a boxy mandarin-collar jacket with three traditional frog-knot buttons down the centre and two patch pockets at the hem.

Satin is how it's woven

Satin is a weave structure where the threads float over several others before tucking under. Those floats are what create the smooth, light-catching face and the duller back. Any fibre can be woven this way.

The Plum Satin Tie-Dye Set is satin — the sheen comes from the weave, and it's what makes the shibori pattern shift as you move. A V-neck top with wide three-quarter sleeves and an asymmetric hem, with a maxi skirt falling in soft folds.

Which one you actually want

For shine, buy satin. The weave is what throws light. If the reason you want the piece is that it catches a room, satin gets you there for less.

For a whole day on the body, buy silk. It breathes in a way a synthetic satin does not, and it doesn't hold heat against you. The jacket is a layering piece precisely because it can sit on you for eight hours.

Care, which really is different

Silk: dry clean, or hand wash cold with a mild detergent and no wringing. Never dry it in sun — sunlight breaks the fibre down. Iron on the reverse, low, while slightly damp.

Satin: the floats that give it sheen are also what snag. Keep it away from velcro, rough nails and jewellery clasps. Hand wash cold and separately, dry flat in shade, iron low with a cloth in between.

Cash on delivery available. Easy 7-day returns.

Frequently asked questions

Is satin cheaper because it's worse?
No — it's a different thing. A satin weave costs less to produce than silk fibre. What you're trading is breathability, not craft.

Can silk be worn in summer?
Yes. Silk regulates temperature well; it's the lining and the cut that make a garment hot. A loose, unlined silk jacket is comfortable in heat.