Once you go silk...

abc

I am finding that thanks to YLF I'm adoring real silk tops.

Like, now that I know what all the fuss is about, I don't want anything else.

I think I am spoiled now.

In particular, it was the EF shirt shown below in finds that got me turned onto real silk tops. A big "A-ha!" moment to this slowly reforming clearance rack shopper.

Now I can't seem to get enough. Feeling the urge to add to my (small) collection.

Does anyone else feel the same way about real silk tops? Is it a slippery slope to a closet full of gorgeous silk blouses?

Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher Sheer Shoulder Silk V-Neck Top (Regular & Petite)

$198.00 $108.90

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10 years ago

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from crutcher

(website)

Veteran

Enjoy! I actually have some weird block where I don't wear my silk tops, even though most of them were under $10. Since it's not a cost issue obviously, it must be that I'm afraid they are too delicate.
Do you machine wash or hand wash, or are they dry clean? That might be my hang up.

10 years ago

Emily

Veteran

Yup. I bought my first silk blouse last fall and have 4 in my wardrobe now + another on the way. It is so comfortable to wear and I love the way it drapes!

10 years ago

abc

Veteran

Well, Mo, I must admit that I do tend to wear them when I won't be around the kids. I have kept them mostly for my business casual work trips. It is the only real silk one I have (so far) but am eyeing two additional ones. It's dry clean only unfortunately, but I have found I get several wears out of it before it needs cleaning and I hang to air dry in between.

10 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Makes sense to save it for less dirty times. I just don't really dry clean, so that explains why it's not become a regular fabric for me.

10 years ago

Veteran

Silk blouse addict checking in!

I've got 19 100% silk blouses, another 4 that are silk/cotton blends, and 2 silk dresses. Oh and a silk skirt, 2 100% silk cardigans, 2 silk/cotton blend cardigans, a silk/cotton blend jumper/pullover, and 2 silk layering camis. My pjs include 4 silk camis and 2 silk pj pants. It's definitely a slippery slope. Hehe

(I wash all of mine at home because I'm not big on dry cleaning costs or chemicals. But they've all been bought secondhand, so I wouldn't be out a massive amount of money is something went wrong.)

10 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Love silk, but I do prefer to have a variety of fabrics in my cliset. Mo, I hand wash and hang my silk shirts to dry. I might not do it with brand new and expensive top, but have no problem doing it with older or inexpensive pieces. I think I remember reading Suz has good luck machine washing in a bag,

10 years ago

Anonymous

Yes. Nothing feels quite like real silk.

10 years ago

amiable

Veteran

Hmm - I'm so far not in to silk (I sent my first silk top that I loved to you!). I think I'm afraid I'll ruin it. But I like the idea. I just need to find the right way to get into it, I think.

10 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

I love it too!
Handwashing works fine for me.

10 years ago

deb

Veteran

I have been a silk addict singe elementary school. My grandmother always wore silk dresses.

10 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Actually I've been feeling the opposite...that I'm not going to buy it anymore.

The dry-cleaning is definitely a strike against it, but it is mainly that the use I get out of it seems limited. I find silk much too hot in the summer and not warm enough for winter. I could layer it under something for the winter, but it doesn't seem worth it to me. The window of use is therefore a month or so in the Fall and another in the Spring. I enjoy the few silk things I have for this small window but it doesn't seem smart to add any more unless it is a can't live without, perfect 10.

10 years ago

abc

Veteran

Actually Amiable kept me honest. The shirt I got from her is my second. See I am adding more and not even realizing it lol

Two silk shirts. Both EF. So lucky

10 years ago

Nicole D

Veteran

I am really loving the more heavy silk crepe that holds up well to a hand wash but I am getting less excited about the softer dry clean only type. I have wrecked a few with handwashing and I hate dry cleaning! Let's hear it for washable silk.

10 years ago

Active Member

I love silk anything. I wear it whenever possible. It washes easily enough in a mesh bag in the washing machine on a delicate cycle using baby shampoo. Never had any problem. I have also been trying to NOT save it for business/special occasions. As I can stick it in the regular laundry, what's the point?

10 years ago

deb

Veteran

I throw my silk in the washer and dryer with my delicates. They come out fine. I figure that the worm and cocoon got rained on they the cloth can handle water.

10 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

I love the vivid coloration of silk -- the best thing about the 80's is that silk became available and affordable! Almost all of my silk tops get washed using my machine's delicate cycle, into the dryer for 5 minutes or roll in a towel, smooth out the garment and hang to dry so they seldom need much ironing.

Now, white silk is quite a bit more work so you'd have to love it more. Everything shows on white silk!

10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Love how they feel and how they are so comfortable in the heat. Still I do appreciate a good synthetic washable top in summer too.

10 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Yes! Personally I have to be somewhat limiting in my acquisition because there are some situations that I'd rather be wearing something inexpensive in case something happens to it. So I have a mix of silk, poly, viscose/rayon, and tencel. That way I can wear some of the less expensive items for truly casual events, still feel polished, but not so worried about my top that I can't join in on some messy fun. My wallet thanks me for that, too

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I've learned to love silky on YLF but I've actually expanded to embrace synthetics more.

10 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I love silk! I have lots of tops and even some pants that are silk. I wear it all the time, but don't dry clean or hand wash--I use Dryel.

10 years ago

Kari

Veteran

I like silk, but not the maintenance involved. I wear silk tops far less often now when I'm apt to be walking a lot and have less control over temperature; I walk 10-15 min. each way between bus and office, sometimes in hot or chilly weather and up steep hills, and get sweaty. In contrast, I used to have to drive to work over a year ago, and in my car I didn't have to worry about outdoor temperatures as much. I'm more practical now about fabric and comfort.

10 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I hand wash mine too. Silk has been around for a lot longer than dry cleaners.

10 years ago

fathenry

Veteran

I'm afraid to hand wash it so I take it to the cleaners.I feel really polished when I wear my silk blouses but they do take some extra maintenance.

10 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I got a floral silk blend tank top in my Thredup order and now I wish all my tanks were silk, heh. I love the feel and that it magically goes with everything, layers beautifully, and doesn't wrinkle like cotton.

10 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Another silk lover here. I hand wash mine as long as it is not a complicated design. Silk seems to keep me comfortable even through hot flashes and chilly times. I really like unlined silk jackets for summer toppers.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I adore silk. I do like a variety of fabrics -- but not polyester. So for me, it's cotton, silk. rayon or bamboo or viscose or linen -- or blends thereof.

I wash all my silks in the washer in the delicate cycle. I would no more think of dry cleaning them than i would dry clean my cottons! I air dry and then touch up with an iron.

I don't consider silk to be too delicate. I admit I wear an apron if I'm going to cook and I wouldn't choose them if going for a hike in grubby conditions on a sweltering day. But otherwise, I treat my silk tops like any other tops. I wear them casually (on work at home days) as well as in more dressy outfits.

Currently I own 4 long sleeved silk shirts/ blouses. 3 sleeveless silk tops, and 2 silk/ viscose knit mixed media tops.

10 years ago

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Tanks, blouses, dresses...... I love silk, too! Light and flowy, heavy and drapey..... What a great fabric!

10 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

I confess that I have traveled the slippery slope of silk...I adore the feel...and I dryelle to clean..This is just one of those little luxuries that life offers and I greedily take...smile...

10 years ago

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