Many People Can't Tell the Difference! What's the Difference Between Silk and Satin?

2018.12.02 published

What is the difference between silk and satin?

For those who want to wear a classical and luxurious wedding dress, the destination is often a dress made from "silk" or "satin."

A dress with a soft and lustrous shine is perfect for a grand chapel, evoking images of royal weddings.

@yuka_yuki.wedding0617

There is an image that heavy, glossy, and smooth dresses = silk or satin, but do you know the differences between them?

Many people may have a vague notion that "silk is expensive, and satin is cheap."

While this notion isn't entirely wrong, silk and satin are fundamentally different materials. This article will explain the differences between silk and satin in detail and in an easy-to-understand manner.

What is silk?

First, let's explain what silk is. Silk (絹) is a very historical material that has been produced since around 3000 BC.

The land route "Silk Road," which exported silk from China to Persia, is famous.

Silk is an animal fiber derived from the cocoons of silkworms, characterized by its unique luster.

Its delicate shine, pleasant texture, and lightweight yet strong qualities are advantages. The disadvantages are its vulnerability to water, making home washing difficult, and its susceptibility to insect damage.

Because it is a natural fiber, it is very expensive (even pajamas can cost tens of thousands of yen). Therefore, it is often used as fabric for wedding dresses, which are special bridal attire worn once in a lifetime.

What is satin?

Now, what is satin? Satin is actually not the name of a material.

It refers to a type of fabric weave made using threads of silk, nylon, polyurethane, acetate, polyester, cotton, etc., and is known as "satin weave."

"Satin weave" consists of fabric made from five or more warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads. It is characterized by its density, thickness, and glossiness.

While silk is the name of the material itself, satin is the name of a "weaving method." Although they seem similar, they are not actually spoken of in the same terms!

For example, fabric made from silk using satin weave is called "silk satin."

How to distinguish between silk and satin?

Whether a fabric is made of silk or not is important when understanding the quality of the wedding dress.

If you can't tell just by looking at it, remember this tip: "Silk makes a sound when rubbed."

The sound made when rubbing silk fabric together is described as a "squeaky" sound.

This occurs because the fibers of silk are nearly triangular in cross-section, causing them to catch on each other when rubbed together and produce this sound. In contrast, nylon, which does not have such irregularities, will not make this sound.

It's not recommended to rub the dress you tried on, as it may damage the fabric, but it could be a useful tidbit to keep in mind♡

Now, let’s introduce wedding dresses made from both silk and satin.

Silk Wedding Dresses ♡

Here is the "sisi" wedding dress from the desirable imported dress brand, "Antonio Riva." The flowing silk skirt gently expands from the waist, giving it a very elegant appearance.

Also from "Antonio Riva," we have the "soudeh" dress. The ribbon at the back style is very impressive. The luxurious gloss of the silk enhances the beauty of the three-dimensional ribbon.

This is the "Troy" dress from the high-end brand "Amsale." It features silk taffeta, known for its crisp texture and shading. The triangle back style and pockets are key points.

Satin Wedding Dresses ♡

Next, let’s introduce satin dresses. This dress, with its smooth, glossy finish, is from "Coco Melody." It has a heavy feel and an elegant atmosphere.

The wedding dress from "Bridal Salon HANA" has a soft ambiance that would suit a natural wedding. The not-too-long train and frills at the back are charming features.

The baby pink colored dress from "Brilliantayu." The combination of a satin skirt and a beaded lace top is lovely. The simple satin skirt offers a chic and mature impression even with the sweet pink.

Are you clear on the differences between silk and satin?

We have introduced the differences between silk and satin, two common fabrics for wedding dresses. When trying on a dress with a glossy finish, it might be a good idea to ask whether it is silk or satin.

Knowing more about the materials of the dress can make choosing a dress even more enjoyable!

➡ What is the difference between tulle and organza?