When it comes to high-end clothing, silk clothing is always an unavoidable option. But many people will be confused: it is also “silk”, but the price difference is very different; Silk, which seems to be thin and light, why do some people say that it is warm in winter and cool in summer? Today, we will explain the doorway of silk clothing from material technology, style selection, core value, to supply chain and market trends, to help you buy clearly and wear cost-effectively.
1. Understand the material first: not all “silk” is called silk
Many people think that silk is a single material, but in fact, there are many sub-categories hidden in its family, and the feel, price and use of different materials are completely different. This is also one of the core reasons why some silk shirts sell for 300 yuan, while others cost 3,000 yuan.
1. Comparison of mainstream silk materials: mulberry silk is the “ceiling”
Material type | Core features | Suitable for category | Market reference price (per meter) |
|---|---|---|---|
Mulberry silk | It has a soft luster and a delicate feel, and contains 18 kinds of amino acids | Pajamas, dresses, underwear | 120-300 yuan |
Oak silk | The color is yellowish, the strength is high, and the cost performance is high | scarves, overalls | 50-100 yuan |
Double palace silk | It has a natural pimple texture and a unique texture | Cheongsam, high-end jacket | 200-400 yuan |
2. Fabric weaving and craftsmanship: determining the “temperament” of silk
The choice of silk can not only look at the material, the drape of silk satin is suitable for dresses, the lightness of silk chiffon is more suitable for summer wear, and silk georgette has its own hazy beauty. I have contacted a customer before, bought a silk shirt without shrinkage treatment, shrunk and deformed after washing once, and then changed to a style that has been anti-shrinkage finished, and it has been worn for two years without any problem.
Among them, the sand washing process is very particular, enzyme sand is more environmentally friendly than vegetable sand, and the treated sand washed silk feels softer and waxy, and can also reduce wrinkles. In addition, the number of mom (an indicator of silk thickness) is also very important, 16 mom is suitable for shirts, and more than 22 mom is more suitable for dresses, which is more durable.
2. Choose the style according to your needs: silk is not just a “gentle wind”
When it comes to silk clothing, many people’s first reaction is dresses or pajamas, but now the application scenarios of silk have long broken through tradition. Whether it’s the workplace, sports or home, you can find the right silk items.
1. Core category recommendation: “optimal solution” for different scenarios
- Workplace essentials: silk shirts and silk suits, with suit pants are capable and advanced, it is recommended to choose silk electric spinning materials, which have better wrinkle resistance and do not need to be ironed frequently;
- Home first choice: silk pajamas and silk dressing gowns, silk crepe material is skin-friendly and breathable, sleep-aiding effect, many insomnia friends around me have fallen asleep faster after changing silk pajamas;
- Emerging scenarios: silk yoga wear and silk sports bras, moisture absorption and sweat wicking are 3 times better than ordinary fabrics, and can also reduce skin friction during exercise;
- National style trend: silk cheongsam and silk Hanfu, choose silk twill material, strong drape, upper body more curved.
2. Lightning protection reminder: These silk items should be bought with caution
Although silk masks are fashionable, they are not as protective as medical masks and are more suitable for decoration; silk children’s clothing should pay attention to choosing products that have been certified by Oeko-Tex to ensure that there are no chemical residues and are more friendly to the baby’s skin. In addition, be sure to check the silk washing label when purchasing, clearly marking “100% mulberry silk” is pure silk, and those marked with “viscose” are imitations.
3. Reveal the core value: the “expensive” of silk makes sense
Silk clothing is on the high side, but from a cost-effective point of view, it is worth the investment. Its value lies not only in the material itself, but also in its unique functionality and long-term wearing experience.
1. Innate advantage: irreplaceable “wearing feeling”
As a natural protein fiber, silk’s biggest advantage is its skin-friendliness. Its natural breathability and moisture-wicking properties make it not stuffy to wear in summer, and to keep warm in winter, achieving “warm in winter and cool in summer”. In addition, the 18 amino acids contained in silk can nourish the skin, and people who wear silk pajamas for a long time will significantly improve their dry skin.
It also has antibacterial and antimite functions, and the survival rate of mites on silk fabrics is 80% lower than that of cotton fabrics, which is very friendly to sensitive skin and rhinitis patients. At the same time, the antistatic properties of silk are also very practical, and it will not absorb dust and hair when worn in winter.
2. Added value: sustainable and high-end attributes
Nowadays, more and more brands are launching sustainable silk and organic silk to ensure that the production process is environmentally friendly through the traceable silkworm cocoon system. Although the price of this type of silk is 10%-20% higher, it is more in line with the current green consumption trend. In addition, silk clothing is also a good high-end gift, such as silk scarves and silk shawls, with exquisite and textured packaging, suitable for various gift-giving scenarios.
4. Supply chain perspective: buy silk and keep an eye on these “key links”
If you are a buyer or want to customize silk clothing in bulk, every link in the supply chain is about cost and quality. From the origin of silkworm cocoons to export policies, you need to understand in advance.
1. Core production areas and markets: the “secret” of cost performance
The main domestic silkworm cocoon production areas are in Guangxi and Suzhou, and the purchase price of silkworm cocoons in Guangxi silkworm cocoon production areas is about 15% lower than that of Suzhou, which is more cost-effective; You can go to Shengze Oriental Silk Market and Keqiao Textile City to purchase blank silk, which have complete styles and can also be seen on the spot. If you want to reduce costs, you can also consider Indian silk, but it should be noted that its color fastness is lower than that of Chinese silk, and silk color fastness testing needs to be done in advance.
2. Essential knowledge for procurement: practical information to avoid stepping on pitfalls
The customs tariff number for silk exports is 5007, and the current export tax rebate ratio is 13%; When purchasing in bulk, the silk MOQ (minimum order quantity) is usually 500 pieces, and the delivery time is about 30-45 days. In addition, digital printing proofing needs to provide a clear color chart, and it is recommended to use standard color numbers such as Pantone 19-4052 to avoid color difference problems. In terms of warehousing, be sure to do a good job in silk mildew-proof storage, and control the humidity between 50%-60%.
3. Market trend: the “new outlet” of silk clothing
Judging from market data, the sales of silk clothing in 2024 will increase by 42% year-on-year, and several trends are particularly noteworthy. The first is Guofeng silk, which has more than 100,000 related notes on Xiaohongshu and has become a popular category; the second is sustainable fashion, plant-dyed silk is environmentally friendly and non-stimulating, although the price is high, but the sales are growing rapidly; Finally, there is live broadcast e-commerce, the popularity of Douyin silk source factory and TikTok silk topics continues to rise, and the procurement model of direct docking with the factory also makes the price of silk more affordable.
5. Yigu’s procurement perspective: the “pit avoidance guide” of silk procurement
As a purchasing agent who has been deeply involved in the silk industry for 5 years, I would like to say that the core of silk procurement is “sample + factory inspection”. First of all, don’t just look at the price, “silk” below 80 yuan/meter is likely to be an imitation, it is recommended to give priority to factories with GOTS certification; secondly, be sure to do a washing test before bulk purchase, focusing on checking shrinkage resistance and color fastness; Finally, check the weight and material composition of silk during delivery to avoid being “adulterated”. In addition, Guangxi’s silkworm cocoon production accounts for 70% of the country, and purchasing raw silk from local silk reeling factories can reduce the cost by about 20%, which is more cost-effective.
6. FAQ: Frequently asked questions about silk clothing
- Q: Can silk clothing be machine washed? A: It is recommended to wash by hand, if machine washing needs to use “silk mode”, the water temperature does not exceed 30°C, use neutral laundry detergent, do not wring out after washing, just dry naturally.
- Q: What should I do if silk clothes are easy to wrinkle? A: Choose fabrics that have been wrinkle-resistant and finished with silk, hang and store them daily, and slight wrinkles can be ironed with a garment steamer, and the temperature can be adjusted to the “silk gear”.
- Q: How to distinguish between real and fake silk? A: In addition to looking at the washing label, you can also use the burning method, when the silk burns, there is a smell of burnt hair, and the ashes will break when twisted; the imitation silk burns with a plastic smell, and the ashes clump.
- Q: How long is the shelf life of silk clothing? A: Under normal wear and maintenance, pure silk clothing can be worn for 3-5 years, and it should be stored away from direct sunlight and mothballs should be put in to prevent insects.