The key to wearing silk without losing your mind is not to buy silk satin, which you can't wash by hand. Stick with georgette and silks marked washable, which I recommend doing by hand. If you can prevent staining, including underarm, you will probably never have to wash. Buy a steamer and use it after a handful of wears. It gets rid of smells and kills the enzymes (not sure if that's the right word), that cause break down in fibers. You can do the same for wools, although I also have great luck washing certain wool and cotton sweaters in mesh bags on the delicate cycle. I think dry cleaning is a scam and incredibly expensive to boot. Many years ago, before I wised up, I spilled coffee on a baby blue silk blouse, took it to the dry cleaners, thinking they could get it out. Nope. So I used a teensy bit of Dawn detergent, carefully rubbed it in, soaked it for a few minutes in cold water, and it looked good as new. Today, I use a stain removal kit from Carbona on anything delicate and it's never failed me.
My thought is that almost all natural fabrics can be washed in cool water with a gentle detergent. The dry cleaning-only acetate linings in blazers is one reason why I will generally go for a cardigan over a blazer.
I just learned several new things from your response and am going out of a limb to ask if you have any suggestions. I made an ugly ballpoint pen mark on my new winter-white jeans. I washed with spray & wash (no dryer). It’s faint but still there. Any ideas on how to fix? Thank you. :)
I am so happy chocolate brown is making a comeback! It's the color that I look best in (a better "black") but designers tend to overlook it. Thanks for this post! (Well, and for all your posts.)
I’ve had good luck hand-washing my silk camis and blouses in cool water using a detergent designed for silk. The Laundress has a reformulated delicate detergent that works well, but it includes a fairly strong fragrance. Others without fragrance include Slip and Heritage Park. I would not recommend using Woolite for silk. It has chemicals the others don’t and I ruined a silk cami using it.
I am surprised by how much I like that Orvis shirt (but I might order it in navy rather than khaki). And I will say this about Eileen Fisher––her silk items wear like iron so cost per wear ends up being zilch. Great post!
Remember: Silk has been around for thousands of years, long before dry cleaners existed. Lots of great fabric care tips here! Don’t be scared: It’s generally not the washing process that ruins clothes, it’s the dryer.
Speaking as someone who used to dye silk yardage, it's easy to care for silk at home. Charmeuse requires a little more care like handwashing and line drying, but China silk can be washed on a gentle or delicate cycle in cold water, and even dried on air dry. Alittle bit of touchup, steaming or pressing, and it will look great. I have done this for years and do it with my silk sheets and pillowcases as well. you have to be cautious because it is a delicate protein fiber, I think about it as being very similar to caring for my hair, but with a little bit of experimentation you can easily care for it at home.
Good advice on these rich-looking blouses. Kamala is rocking some beautiful ones that look stunning underneath her blazers. There's something about the perfect blouse. When the fit is right and it hangs just so, you feel undefeatable.
My wardrobe is built around shades of blue, brown and (so revolutionary) black. So the chocolate brown and cobalt blue tops are gorgeous and what I would love to add! I am picky about polka dots, but I do really like the one you chose here! I also love the dusty blue one with the tiger print- I’m someone who enjoys animal prints but have never thought of a print of animals!
It's not just you. I can't stand silk blouses for that reason. I was a slave to an Equipment putty-colored flap pocket shirt in the 1990s, such a beautiful color, and I could not take my jacket off at work because there was always a dark spot under the arms when I wore it. A tiny bit of hell I imposed upon myself (right up there with underwire bras).
I’ve gotten more wear out of my leopard print silk shirt than almost anything in my wardrobe! Second is an old madewell black silk tank. That Red Eileen Fisher is calling my name though, and I’m pretty sure I have a birthday month discount code! What’s actually been speaking to me most this season is the idea of silk pants—some navy ones from Cami NYC were perfect when I tried them on in store, but part of me questions whether I’m responsible enough for silk pants since I tend to just sit down on whatever surface is around. The new AYR silk pants in the “house cat” print also look pretty perfect.
I snagged the striped Everlane shirt when it was finally on sale recently and I’m glad I did. I like that it doesn’t add bulk when worn under a snug sweater. Buckmason.com has a good washable silky flap pocket shirt I’ve successfully machine washed but it only comes in black and cream. Love the matching red buttons on the Eileen Fisher shirt. Ever heard of the spraying vodka hack for freshening clothes? It works, but I haven’t tried it on silk.
I almost bought a long-sleeve silk blouse in the Insider sale at Quince yesterday, and now I'm glad I didn't, because I like several of these more. Thinking about the cobalt blue one and that first Everlane shirt. Also, two of my cats are what's called lynx points, so I might need the lynx shirt!
I will say I just got some Quince washable silk pajamas and they feel really great for the price. I just feel like the styles of the quince silk tops look a little… un-fashionable? Like JC penny styling with nicer fabrics.
The key to wearing silk without losing your mind is not to buy silk satin, which you can't wash by hand. Stick with georgette and silks marked washable, which I recommend doing by hand. If you can prevent staining, including underarm, you will probably never have to wash. Buy a steamer and use it after a handful of wears. It gets rid of smells and kills the enzymes (not sure if that's the right word), that cause break down in fibers. You can do the same for wools, although I also have great luck washing certain wool and cotton sweaters in mesh bags on the delicate cycle. I think dry cleaning is a scam and incredibly expensive to boot. Many years ago, before I wised up, I spilled coffee on a baby blue silk blouse, took it to the dry cleaners, thinking they could get it out. Nope. So I used a teensy bit of Dawn detergent, carefully rubbed it in, soaked it for a few minutes in cold water, and it looked good as new. Today, I use a stain removal kit from Carbona on anything delicate and it's never failed me.
My thought is that almost all natural fabrics can be washed in cool water with a gentle detergent. The dry cleaning-only acetate linings in blazers is one reason why I will generally go for a cardigan over a blazer.
That acetate can be steamed, too, if you're really careful and use the lowest setting.
I just learned several new things from your response and am going out of a limb to ask if you have any suggestions. I made an ugly ballpoint pen mark on my new winter-white jeans. I washed with spray & wash (no dryer). It’s faint but still there. Any ideas on how to fix? Thank you. :)
Hairspray, the cheaper the better. Spray the ink stain and wash as usual
I am so happy chocolate brown is making a comeback! It's the color that I look best in (a better "black") but designers tend to overlook it. Thanks for this post! (Well, and for all your posts.)
I’ve had good luck hand-washing my silk camis and blouses in cool water using a detergent designed for silk. The Laundress has a reformulated delicate detergent that works well, but it includes a fairly strong fragrance. Others without fragrance include Slip and Heritage Park. I would not recommend using Woolite for silk. It has chemicals the others don’t and I ruined a silk cami using it.
I am surprised by how much I like that Orvis shirt (but I might order it in navy rather than khaki). And I will say this about Eileen Fisher––her silk items wear like iron so cost per wear ends up being zilch. Great post!
Stop convincing me to splurge on the EF one 😂
Remember: Silk has been around for thousands of years, long before dry cleaners existed. Lots of great fabric care tips here! Don’t be scared: It’s generally not the washing process that ruins clothes, it’s the dryer.
It's the armpits that ruin silk, in my experience. Lord, silk makes me sweat, yuck. It's so beautiful, though.
Speaking as someone who used to dye silk yardage, it's easy to care for silk at home. Charmeuse requires a little more care like handwashing and line drying, but China silk can be washed on a gentle or delicate cycle in cold water, and even dried on air dry. Alittle bit of touchup, steaming or pressing, and it will look great. I have done this for years and do it with my silk sheets and pillowcases as well. you have to be cautious because it is a delicate protein fiber, I think about it as being very similar to caring for my hair, but with a little bit of experimentation you can easily care for it at home.
Vince has some great ones as well and they are the workhorses of my work wardrobe.
Good advice on these rich-looking blouses. Kamala is rocking some beautiful ones that look stunning underneath her blazers. There's something about the perfect blouse. When the fit is right and it hangs just so, you feel undefeatable.
My wardrobe is built around shades of blue, brown and (so revolutionary) black. So the chocolate brown and cobalt blue tops are gorgeous and what I would love to add! I am picky about polka dots, but I do really like the one you chose here! I also love the dusty blue one with the tiger print- I’m someone who enjoys animal prints but have never thought of a print of animals!
Great finds!
I could not click on the Boden silk blouse fast enough. I'm not a print person but if it has cats on it, you've got me (says the unabashed cat lady)!
The underarm perspiration….ruins things for me really fast. Is it just me?
It's not just you. I can't stand silk blouses for that reason. I was a slave to an Equipment putty-colored flap pocket shirt in the 1990s, such a beautiful color, and I could not take my jacket off at work because there was always a dark spot under the arms when I wore it. A tiny bit of hell I imposed upon myself (right up there with underwire bras).
I’ve tried dress shields too! Ugh. Nothing like looking down and seeing your shield has come detached and slipped out your blouse hem.
I’ve gotten more wear out of my leopard print silk shirt than almost anything in my wardrobe! Second is an old madewell black silk tank. That Red Eileen Fisher is calling my name though, and I’m pretty sure I have a birthday month discount code! What’s actually been speaking to me most this season is the idea of silk pants—some navy ones from Cami NYC were perfect when I tried them on in store, but part of me questions whether I’m responsible enough for silk pants since I tend to just sit down on whatever surface is around. The new AYR silk pants in the “house cat” print also look pretty perfect.
I snagged the striped Everlane shirt when it was finally on sale recently and I’m glad I did. I like that it doesn’t add bulk when worn under a snug sweater. Buckmason.com has a good washable silky flap pocket shirt I’ve successfully machine washed but it only comes in black and cream. Love the matching red buttons on the Eileen Fisher shirt. Ever heard of the spraying vodka hack for freshening clothes? It works, but I haven’t tried it on silk.
I almost bought a long-sleeve silk blouse in the Insider sale at Quince yesterday, and now I'm glad I didn't, because I like several of these more. Thinking about the cobalt blue one and that first Everlane shirt. Also, two of my cats are what's called lynx points, so I might need the lynx shirt!
I will say I just got some Quince washable silk pajamas and they feel really great for the price. I just feel like the styles of the quince silk tops look a little… un-fashionable? Like JC penny styling with nicer fabrics.
That was kind of my concern. Even though the price is great, they just seemed too ordinary to bother with.
silk is so classic
The polka dot and the cobalt blue are my faves from this bunch.