Silk Glossary - Common Silk Terms Explained
When shopping for silk bedding or accessories, you may come across a number of unfamiliar terms such as mulberry silk, momme, or grade 6A.
Understanding what these terms mean can make it easier to choose the right silk products.
Below is a glossary of common silk terms and what they mean.
Breathable
Breathable fabric allows air to circulate.
Silk is naturally breathable and temperature regulating, which means it can help keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
Charmeuse silk
Charmeuse is a type of silk weave with a smooth, glossy front and a softer matte back.
It is often used for pillowcases, bedding, and clothing because it feels very smooth against the skin.
Crepe de Chine
Crepe de Chine is a type of silk fabric with a slightly textured surface and a soft, flowing feel.
It is often used for clothing because it is lightweight and drapes well.
It is less glossy than satin silk and has a more matte finish.
Dupioni silk
Dupioni silk is a type of silk made when two silkworms spin their cocoons together.
This creates a slightly uneven texture with small lumps in the fabric.
Dupioni silk is often used for clothing and decorative fabrics rather than bedding because it has a more textured feel.
Glacé Silk
Glacé silk is a type of silk that has been specially finished to create a smooth, polished surface.
The term glacé comes from the French word for “glazed”, which refers to the slightly glossy and firm finish given to the fabric.
This finishing process makes the silk feel extra smooth and gives it a refined appearance, while still keeping the natural softness that silk is known for.
Glacé silk is often used for pillowcases, bedding, and accessories where a very smooth surface is desired.
Grade 6A silk
Silk is graded to show its quality.
Grade 6A is the highest grade of mulberry silk, meaning the fibres are long, smooth, and free from defects.
Higher grade silk produces a softer and more durable fabric.
High momme silk
High momme silk refers to heavier silk fabrics, usually 22 momme or higher.
Higher momme silk is thicker, stronger, and more durable, which makes it suitable for bedding used every day.
Hypoallergenic
Silk is often described as hypoallergenic, meaning it is less likely to irritate the skin.
Silk naturally resists dust mites and mould, which makes it a popular choice for bedding.
Momme (mm)
Momme is the unit used to measure the weight and density of silk fabric.
A higher momme number means thicker, stronger, and more durable silk.
- 19 momme – often used for accessories
- 22 momme – often used for pillowcases and some accessories
- 25 momme – often used for bedding
Higher momme silk usually lasts longer.
Mulberry silk
Mulberry silk is considered the highest quality silk available.
It is made from silkworms that are fed only mulberry leaves, which produces longer, smoother, and stronger silk fibres.
Mulberry silk is commonly used for high quality bedding, pillowcases, and accessories.
Organza Silk
Silk organza is a thin, lightweight silk fabric with a crisp texture.
It is often used in clothing, scarves, and decorative fabrics rather than bedding.
Because it is sheer and stiff, organza is not usually used for items that need to feel soft against the skin.
Quality - Why silk quality matters
Not all silk is the same.
The quality of silk depends on the type of silk, the grade, and the momme weight.
High quality mulberry silk with a higher momme weight is usually smoother, stronger, and longer lasting.
Choosing the right silk helps ensure the fabric feels comfortable and lasts for years.
Satin
Satin is not a fibre, but a type of weave.
It can be made from silk, polyester, nylon, or other materials.
Many products called “silky satin” are made from synthetic fibres, which may look shiny but do not have the same breathability as real silk.
Silk fibres
Silk is a natural protein fibre produced by silkworms.
The long fibres are what give silk its smooth feel and strength.
Higher quality silk has longer, more uniform fibres.
Silkworm
A silkworm is the larva of the silk moth.
Silkworms produce silk by spinning a cocoon made from a continuous thread of silk fibre. These cocoons are harvested and the fibres are woven into silk fabric.
Mulberry silk comes from silkworms that are fed only mulberry leaves.
Spider silk
Spider silk is a natural fibre produced by spiders.
It is extremely strong and lightweight, but it is very difficult to produce in large quantities, which means it is not commonly used for clothing or bedding.
Most silk used in textiles comes from silkworms rather than spiders.
Temperature regulating
Silk can adjust to body temperature.
This means silk bedding can feel cool when it is warm and warm when it is cold, making it comfortable all year round.
Tussar silk (Tasar silk)
Tussar silk, sometimes called Tasar silk, is a type of silk made from wild silkworms rather than mulberry-fed silkworms.
It has a more textured feel and a natural golden colour.
Tussar silk is often less smooth than mulberry silk and is usually used for clothing rather than bedding.
Mulberry silk is generally considered higher quality because the fibres are more uniform.
Twill
Twill is a type of weave that creates a diagonal pattern in the fabric.
Silk twill is often used for scarves because it is strong, smooth, and holds its shape well while still feeling soft.
Vegan silk
Vegan silk refers to fabrics that imitate silk but are not made from silkworms.
These materials may be made from plant fibres, synthetic fibres, or other alternatives designed to feel similar to silk.
While vegan silk can look similar, it does not always have the same smoothness, breathability, or durability as real silk.
Weave
Weave refers to the way threads are arranged to make fabric.
Different weaves create different textures and finishes.
For example, satin weave produces a smooth and shiny surface, while twill weave produces a diagonal pattern.
The weave affects how silk feels, how strong it is, and how it looks.
