Beau Knows Clothes

Charmeuse, Peau de Soie, Doupoini, Chiffon….. all types of the sensuous fabric silk. Just the name evokes an air of luxury and wealth. It is indeed one of the oldest textile fabrics known to man, dating back to the 27th century BC. Yes, Before Christ! Silk is mentioned by Aristotle and was a valuable commodity in both Greece and Rome. History tells us silk was sold for its weight in gold during the Roman Empire.

It makes perfect sense then that this fabric has withstood the test of time, for silk is the strongest natural fiber. In terms of garments, strength equates to superb wearability, versatility and comfort. Moisture absorbent for coolness in the summer, it provides warmth in the winter. Designers and seamstresses alike enjoy using silk because it retains its shape, drapes well and can be dyed in an array of deep colors.

Silk is so easy to wear, and with the proper attention, also relatively simple in terms of care. While I previously mentioned that silk is moisture absorbent, care must be taken during these hot summer days. Perspiration is strong, and becomes even more harsh due to the chemicals found in anti-perspirants and deodorants so this kind of moisture must be addressed after each wearing. Like all common stains, perspiration stains need to be treated after each and every wearing to stave off the permanent setting of such a stain. Repeated staining can be terminal to silk as the fibers will get damaged over time. Thus, likewise for a stain other than perspiration, always communicate what the stain is, to the best of your ability. We have many tricks in our trade and solutions to use to attack even the most dastardly of stains. However, I will have the best shot in successfully removing a stain if I don’t have to first start by guessing what it is!

Speaking of which, I enjoyed a recent lunch with some colleagues and friends and we had an amusing and downright lively conversation over a summer staple – the stain of… yes, mustard. Before you knew it, the talk got down to the specifics of even what kind of mustard it was! My mouth watered as my friend sadly recalled a favorite white, eyelet summer blouse that was decimated by a glob of a spicy brown mustard. I would like to add, at this point, she and I didn’t know one and other then – I love a good mustard challenge – whatever the fabric might be!

Also, noteworthy to mention regarding silk and your dressing routine… substances that contain alcohol will damage silk fabrics. Therefore, let your perfumes, aftershaves and hairspray dry before dressing.

Where your dry leaner is really going to show you their worth is with the drying and pressing of your silk garments. So many things can go wrong here! Machine drying can shorten the life and even permanently damage your silk. Friction while tossing in the drum, too intense of a heat and lack of humidity can cause breakage, shrinkage and a dulling of the fabric. The same goes for ironing silk. Too much heat here can also dull, pucker and burn the fabric. Your dry cleaner provides the time, skill and patience to keep your silk clothing looking as luxurious as it should in this final step.

Changing of the seasons or even perhaps a trend? For long-term storage, you should keep silk in a cotton pillowcase or like material which allows for materials to breathe. Definitely avoid plastic which traps moisture and can cause mildew and yellowing. Lastly, as I mentioned in the beginning, silk is a natural fiber so it is a favorite with moths. Store your silk within cedar, or with cedar balls or chips.