Silk is known for being luxury clothing that everyone dreams of wearing. Its natural sheen and its softness make it a luxurious product that anyone willing to spend even at a steeper price.

Did you know that silk doesn’t just all about looks and sophistication? Silk has benefits and maybe these are the reasons why a lot of people love to wear silk fabric clothing such as pajamas, silk robes and kimonos, and even bed sheets and blankets made of silk.

One of the best silk clothing that is usually bought by many is the silk robe. Let’s find out what are the benefits of silk!

Silk improves eczema and skin asthma condition

It could not be denied that there are some people who have very sensitive skin. We cannot blame them. Most of these cases are inborn and there’s nothing they can do but change their lifestyle in order to accommodate the necessities of the skin. Yes, there are various creams and medicinal lotions used to treat skin allergies and other serious skin conditions such as eczema and skin asthma.

Silk is one thing that could be used in order to help eczema and other skin allergy sufferers improve their skin conditions. Silk has a natural protein structure and is known to have hypoallergenic properties, making it fitter to use by all skin types. The dense structure of silk prevents dust and mites to accumulate in the fabric, which adds protection to the wearer all day and night. To learn more about silk kimono robe, visit on hyperlinked site.

Silk is 100% organic which makes it compatible with all skin types. Even those people with severe skin issues and conditions can use silk fabric. Dust, soil, and other germs may tend to just slide on the fabric, preventing its build-up.

It’s Recyclable and Biodegradable

The fashion industry is a major contributor to global warming. Clothing made out of synthetic materials is generally not recyclable or biodegradable and thus ends up in landfills around the world. Clothing in landfills releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, when composed. If you’d like to do your part in reducing landfills, you can opt for clothes made from natural fibers such as silk, as these are durable, have a low environmental impact, and can be recycled.

Silk is a natural material that is very biodegradable. A biodegradable fabric is a fabric that can be broken down by bacteria alone over time. Clothing made from natural fibers like silk, cashmere, cotton, hemp, and wool naturally breaks down with time. It takes about 1 to 5 years for a fabric made out of 100% silk to decompose, depending on the conditions. This is much faster than the time it takes for synthetic textiles to break down. Polyester, for example, can take up to 200 years to decompose. Polyester is often used to make imitation silk, marketed as just ‘satin’.

After its useful life, silk fabrics can find a new purpose as soil or mulch. Silk is compostable, so you’re able to turn your old silk clothing into compost eventually. This process takes some time and patience, but can easily be done in your backyard. All you need to do to turn silk clothing into compost is to shred it up into small pieces, remove any tags or buttons (anything that cannot biodegrade), and toss it into your compost pile or bury it under some soil. You can add worms to your fertilizer or use a ‘hot compost’ to speed up the composting process. Then all you need is patience, as you let nature work its magic.

It Warms You Up in the Winter

Silk is one of the most insulating natural fibers. This means that silk clothing is great at keeping you warm. Silk also has an incredible warmth-to-thickness ratio. Even a thin and lightweight silk fabric can keep you warm when worn close to the skin. This is why silk fabrics are a popular choice for insulating clothing, especially undergarments.

Silk is such a thin and compact fabric that insulating clothes made out of silk can be worn even under the tightest clothes, such as skinny jeans and leggings. This makes silk clothing the perfect base layer when layering clothes in the winter to keep warm. As an added benefit, silk clothing is also perfect for traveling, as it barely takes up any space or weight in your suitcase.

To explain why silk can be so good at keeping you warm, we need to take a closer look at its structure. Silk is a natural protein fiber that is derived from the silkworm cocoon. Silkworms spin their cocoons using a single silk thread, which can be up to 1.6 kilometers in length. Humans (or machines) unravel these cocoons during the silk production process. When making silk, raw silk fibers also undergo a process called ‘degumming’, which makes the silk threads even smoother and softer. The final result is a very smooth and long silk thread. Unlike wool, there is no fuzz present on a silk fiber.

Thanks to this smoothness, silk threads can be woven very tightly. In a tight weave, each strand of silk is woven very close to the next one. The tighter the weave, the more insulating the fabric. A tightly woven silk clothing item helps trap your natural body heat next to your skin. The combination of silk fabric’s tight weave, along with its natural properties, makes for a very insulating fabric that can keep you warm in the winter.

It Keeps You Cool in the Summer

Other than keeping you warm in the winter, silk clothing can also keep you cool in the summer. Silk is capable of absorbing anywhere between 10-30 percent of its weight in moisture. This makes silk a moderately breathable fabric. Silk is also very lightweight and thin, which is a great help in keeping you cool. Loose-fitting silk clothes and accessories like silk scarves are great to wear in the summer.

While silk is a breathable fabric, animal (protein) fibers like silk and wool are not as absorbent as vegetable (cellulose) fibers like cotton. This means that silk cannot absorb large amounts of sweat. When wearing silk clothing in tropical climates, we recommend wearing loose silk clothing items such as scarves, tank tops, and maxi dresses, to avoid sweating. Tight silk clothing that is worn close to the skin, like silk underwear, can make you sweat in the summer heat, as silk is also a great insulator.

It’s Strong and Durable

There’s a reason why good-quality silk can last a lifetime. For a fabric so thin and lightweight, silk is extremely strong. Silk thread is so strong that it’s four times tougher than a steel thread of the same thickness. Hundreds of years ago, the Mongolians even made armor out of silk. Silk vests made out of many layers of quilted silk were used to dampen the impact of arrows sinking into the skin. Silk is not only strong but also has great elasticity and excellent resilience. Thanks to these valuable qualities, for a long time silk was the fabric of choice when manufacturing parachutes.

It’s Luxurious, Shiny and Soft

Other than being a durable fabric that’s not only good for the environment but also your skin, silk is simply beautiful to look at. There is no other fabric on this earth that can compare to silk’s luxurious appearance and feel.

Silk fabrics have a beautiful sheen, thanks to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fiber. The shape of a silk fiber refracts light at different angles, which gives it a shimmering appearance. The shine of a silk fabric also depends on the weaving or production method used on the silk. Silk is a wonderfully versatile material, which can be woven into many different weaves. Some popular weaves include satin, chiffon, twill, and crepe. Each of these weaves gives the silk a different and distinct look. Silk satin, also called silk charmeuse, is the glossiest of the weaves.

Silk also has other qualities that are ideal for the fashion industry. For example, silk clothing has vibrant colors, as silk can very easily absorb dyes. Silk also has a beautiful drape that can be used to create beautiful gowns and other designs. Its beautiful drape makes silk clothing flattering on the body.

How to choose a Silk Robe?

When buying silk robes, there are only two real factors to keep in mind. Most important is to ensure that the robes you are buying are in fact made from 100% silk, rather than a silk blend or "synthetic silk", usually nylon or polyester. Occasionally, silk robes will be composed of silk blended with acetate, a wood fiber similar to silk, but more fragile and susceptible to damage when being washed. Some silk robes use 100% silk, but then add an additional fabric as lining -- so long as the second fabric is soft enough to complement the silk, this shouldn't be a problem. For example, many high-end silk robes have cashmere linings to protect the silk from damage and to offer a second sensual fabric.

Don't be confused by the term satin if it is used to describe your silk robes. Satin can be made of a number of fibers, one of which is silk. As long as the satin is somewhere described as being silk satin, as opposed to nylon or acetate, what you are purchasing is still a silk robe. Most people prefer woven satin for silk robes, in contrast to cheaper knit satin -- the difference is one of texture, with woven silk satin being much softer to the touch than the rough surface of knit satin.

The only other thing you need to concern yourself with when buying silk robes is whether you enjoy the style and color. Silk robes come in a wide range of styles, some designed specifically for women and some for men. Some are meant to be showy and act as a supplement to lingerie, while others are meant for relaxation and comfort. Most are clear about length and cut, and as long as you pay attention to what you're purchasing, you should be pleased with the result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are silk robes washable?

Silk is a delicate fabric so it needs to be cleaned carefully, but you can also find robes that can be washed in the machine. Do check the manufacturer’s label for instructions on upkeep.

Are silk robes warm?

No, silk robes are lightweight and allow for optimum airflow to keep you cool and ventilated all night long.

Can you sleep in a silk robe?

Yes, silk is a skin-friendly fabric that keeps you cool and comfortable when you sleep in it. It is also lightweight and breathable, so you won’t feel constricted at all.