In the fall, I’m most comfortable in a button-down shirt, a pair of dark-wash denim, and loafers. As soon as it hits too-hot-to-turn-on-the-oven temps, I trade those three pieces for the following: a trusty pair of satin pants (I’m partial to the Barb pant from Leset, which rarely wrinkles and hits perfectly below my ankles), a pair of strappy sandals, and a silk camisole.
While transitioning my entire wardrobe to all-natural fabrics like cotton and wool, I’ve learned that the world of silk is complicated. I find few things more irritating than a camisole advertised as silk that actually features a blend of viscose, rayon, or polyester — though those synthetic fabrics typically make a piece more affordable, they also make me sweat and itch and ultimately have a shorter lifespan. Most pieces at major retailers are made with mulberry silk, which refers to the diet (of mulberry leaves) enjoyed by the silkworms used to produce the fabric. If you want to really geek out, pay close attention to different weaves and finishes, like charmeuse, satin, organza, and habutai. Some brands will list the momme (often abbreviated on product pages as mm), which refers to the silk’s density. The higher the momme, the pricier and generally sturdier the fabric.
