Hilda brings you an interesting tale and fun facts about silk fabric that you might not have heard before.
I’m a millennial babe but I don’t know how I got hooked with the Gen Z fashion. I must say it all changed since I moved to Germany.
Here in Germany sneakers is an everyday thing, everyone likes to wear sneakers, joggers, activewear, pullover and jeans, and I’ve unconsciously adapted to that lifestyle. I wear comfy cloths like literally every day when going out which I’m beginning to find monotonous, and honestly I’m tired of this lifestyle.
Is your environment influencing your lifestyle?
I’m not insinuating dressing comfy is bad but too much of everything is bad. Wearing them at home is understandable. In fact, It is indisputable to stay at home without comfortable cloths, I dress comfy at home, I love to chill on my oldies vintage & rags T shirt’s and Hot pants, pj’s or simple plain shirts for women with joggers and during the weekend or my day off I like to dress well.
During my search for a new wardrobe outfit update, I discovered Silk fabric and I totally loved it because is luxurious, elegant, silky, and feels soft on the skin that I couldn’t ignore it’s richness so I incorporated it into my wardrobe. I decided to dig deep in finding out what silk are made and produced from. My good friends, I want to tell you some fun facts you did’t know about silk fabric and I bet you’ll be amazed just like me.
History of Silk
Silk was first discovered as a weave-able fibre in the 27th century by a Chinese Empress Hsi Ling Shi. It all happened when the Empress was strolling in her garden and a spun of cocoon fell into her cup of tea, she began to wonder what unearth is this and what formed it, and after that incident Ling Chi curiosity developed into researching the origin of pupae and where it came from, ever since silkworm became significant and has been in production for manufacturing several things in China and around the world.
According to statistics the global production of silk has spread over 60 countries in the world, Asia as in China produces 90% of mulberry and almost 100% of non-mulberry silk, sericulture industries have been lately established in Brazil, Bulgaria, Egypt and Madagascar as well. Asia seems to stand as the world leader in Silk production.
What is a Silk
Silk is a natural fibre produced from three different species: Spiders produces spun that are known as webs “as we see in Marvel comic – Spiderman ” and converted into usable Spider silk, Mussels “Mollusk”know as the noble pen shell Pinna nobilis which makes Sea silk, Worms “Moths” also forms into butterflies and makes SilkWorms spun.
The silkworms products silky envelope spun cocoon which serves as a protective covering while they are developing. For silk to be used it involves two processes one is sadly silkworms are killed in the process of making silk, the other, favourably producing silk requires very low use of chemicals and most of it is completely nurtured by human hand.
Silk is breathable, comfortable, soft, smooth, elegant and it is a reputable fabric tracking it goes way back in history as a top-tier fabric even to date. Is mainly used in making clothing for wearing such as silk blouse, silk scarfs, silk mens shirts, silk dress and silk skirt. It is also used in making home furniture like beddings for dressing the bed, duvet cover, pillow case, bedding sets, silk sheets, quilts and even curtains. The beauty of silk is endless that’s why the material is very expensive.
Types of Silk
There are two main traits of Silk Fibre and each are distinctive in texture but also differs depending on how it is produced:
Wild silk is produced by caterpillar worm that lives independently in forest trees that is why it originated the name “Wild” it tends to fend for food on their own that’s why is referred to as undomesticated silkworms due to their natural way of livelihood.
Unlike Cultivated silk is created by domestic silkworms, is existence totally dependant on human care to survive they are completely domesticated. Industries breed them to produce quality silk. It’s livelihood depends on feeding on mulberry leaves which is where it derived the name Mulberry silk.
This kind of silkworm are mostly whitish in colour unlike the wild silk that are commonly brownish, beige and gold in colour. There are many other types of cultivated silk though the most domestic worm the industries uses are the Bombyx mori because it produces qualitative fine-smooth and alike silk that feels soft on the skin.
Where to find Nice Silk Blouse
You can find silk blouse everywhere, from high-end brands to fast fashion brands, brand like Versace uses 100% of silk manufacture for their products. Fast fashion brand like Zara aren’t doing bad either in silk manufacture you can still find nice looking affordable silk blouse and dresses in Zara at low cost. I actually got these silk blouses from Zara and they look fantastic on me.
This year summer have been very cold the sun almost never came, it was more like the end of autumn weather. The weather was really confusing and I encountered a lot of wardrobe dilemma, not keeping warm was a risk. In fact, going out with a winter jacket or trench coat was necessary that is why I styled this leopard silk blouse with a leather pant.
During this summer months I choose silk blouses and combined them with denim jeans, skirts and chic leather pants. I would also like to see you girls create your own personal style and share your links. Wishing you all lovely and enjoyable summer.
Picture Source:
Silk Moth and Cocoon on Mulberry Leaf. Getty Images / baobao ou / Moment Open
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