Spot the difference - Genuine silk vs. fake silk

Cillouettes · 5 min read

Six easy ways to tell the difference between real silk and fake silk

That is why we at Cillouettes have written this guide, so you can tell the difference between real and fake silk.

Six tips for identifying real silk

1. Read the product description carefully

The first thing you should be aware of when buying silk - especially online - is to read the product description. Pay particular attention to phrases such as "silky soft" and "soft as silk", as these are often used to describe materials such as polyester or cotton. Mulberry silk is the purest form of silk available, so we recommend looking for this. In addition, check whether the product description states the silk quality (1A - 6 A) and the weight (momme).

General tip: If you do not see the word MOMME, it is not quality silk.

 2. Silk materials look different from satin

What does silk look like, and how does it differ from satin? We are frequently asked this question, and we understand why. It can be difficult to see with the naked eye, but there is a difference. Silk is known for its sheen, which is especially reflected in the light. Synthetic materials cannot replicate this appearance, as they tend to glimmer rather than shine.

Real silk is always shiny and never glittery. Fake silk is glittery and not shiny.

 3. Silk feels different from satin

Both silk and satin are "smooth" on the front. However, satin tends to be smoother compared with silk. The back of polyester satin will feel "harder" and resemble plastic. This is the opposite of silk, which feels soft and has a matte finish.

All Cillouettes products are made with a 'charmeuse weave', which is smooth and shiny on the front and matte on the back. Fake silk, on the other hand, will feel smooth on the front and plastic-like on the back.

4. Read the label carefully

Genuine, natural silk will always be labelled. Look for terms such as 100% silk or 100% mulberry silk. The label will often even state the specific quality of the silk and its momme weight, which corresponds to the thread count. (Read about momme weight here).

Artificial silk may be labelled with terms such as "silky", "silk satin" or "satin weave". However, you should naturally pay attention if you see the terms "synthetic", polyester" or "artificial". In that case, you can be sure that it is fake silk.

5. Look for OEKO-TEX certificates

With OEKO-TEX or other independent product safety certifications, you can protect yourself against toxic chemicals. In general, silk is a natural hypoallergenic material and therefore does not irritate even the most sensitive skin. Fake silk will often not be certified with OEKO-TEX® certification, so one indicator may be to look for certification confirming that no toxic substances were used. You can see whether the product is certified either on the product label or via the company's website.

6. Pay attention to the price of silk

When it comes to silk, you get what you pay for, but of course you should never pay too much. Silk - even genuine silk - comes in a range of different price points. We recommend comparing prices from several reputable silk companies. A good rule of thumb is that a 50x50 cm silk pillowcase should cost at least $30 (200 DKK). If the price is below this, it is probably fake silk or an inexpensive blend.

At Cillouettes, we are very transparent about the factors that go into pricing our silk. The most important factors include the weight (momme), the weave and the quality of the silk.

There is also a burn test for silk. You can read about it here, so you can learn how to tell the difference between real and fake silk.