Alright, let’s talk about this whole ‘dress with silk’ thing. For me, it wasn’t some big fashion statement at first. I think I got a silk scarf as a gift, years ago. Just sat in the drawer for ages ’cause I thought, ‘What am I gonna do with this delicate thing?’
Then one day, I actually wore it. Just tied it on my bag handle. And I kept touching it, you know? It felt… well, different. Smooth, but not like that cheap plasticky smooth some fabrics have. This was proper smooth, cool against the skin.
Getting into it
So, curiosity got the better of me. I thought, maybe I should try an actual piece of clothing. Bought a simple silk blouse. Nothing fancy. First time wearing it, felt amazing. Light, airy, didn’t stick to me when it got a bit warm. Big difference from cotton or synthetics.
But then came the washing part. Oh boy. Threw it in the machine with other stuff? Nope. Big mistake. Came out looking sad, kinda wrinkled weirdly. Read the label – ‘Hand wash only’ or ‘Dry clean’. Right. This wasn’t going to be as simple as my usual t-shirts.
The Actual Process (My Way)
So I had to figure it out. Here’s what I landed on, mostly trial and error:
- Washing: Definitely by hand. Cold water, just a tiny bit of mild soap – like, baby soap mild. Quick wash, no soaking for ages. Rinse, rinse, rinse.
- Drying: Never, ever wring it out. Squeezes the life out of it. I roll it gently in a clean towel to get the worst of the water out. Then hang it on a padded hanger, away from direct sun or heat.
- Ironing: This was tricky. Gotta do it while it’s still slightly damp. Lowest heat setting on the iron, and always iron on the inside-out side. Some folks use a cloth between the iron and the silk, I do that sometimes if I’m nervous.
It sounds like a lot of fuss, and honestly, sometimes it is. You can’t just chuck it in the laundry pile and forget about it. You gotta pay attention.
Why Bother Then?
Good question. Sometimes I ask myself that when I’m carefully handwashing something. But here’s the thing: nothing else feels quite like it. It drapes really well, has this subtle sheen that doesn’t look cheap or flashy. It just looks… quality. And it feels incredible against your skin, especially when it’s warm. Breathes, you know?
I got some silk pajamas later on. Total game changer for sleep. Cool in summer, surprisingly warm enough in cooler months. Doesn’t get all tangled up.
So yeah, it started with a scarf, led to a blouse, then pajamas. It’s not like my whole wardrobe is silk now, definitely not. Too much work for everything. But for certain pieces? Worth the hassle. It’s one of those little things that feels a bit special, a bit luxurious, even if it’s just a simple shirt or sleeping in those PJs.
It’s a bit of a commitment, taking care of it properly. But once you get the hang of it, it’s not so bad. And the feel of it? Yeah, that makes up for the extra five minutes of careful washing.
