Something old, something new (and a question about silk) - YouLookFab Forum

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Something old, something new (and a question about silk)

Adelfa

Veteran

The something old is my scarf. It's about 25 years old and I still love it. It has so many of my favorite colors--black, white, royal, pink, and lime.

The something new is my mariniere (I had one in 1972 so this is very happy for me) but I got cold and put on a sweater. I was going to show you how the stripes filled in the V of the sweater, but Baby put an end to that.

My daughter picked out the royal silk top (pics 1&2). I love it but haven't worn it much. I think it's because silk seems too good to wear. Do you have trouble wearing (or buying) silk? Or do you enjoy it without too much thought?

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

Kalli

I enjoy silk! Definitely on team wear, silk is meant to be worn like pearls are! It takes more luster from oils in our skin. Silk should be enjoyed all the time like they were in the past!

Aida

Veteran

I love wearing silk and wish I could afford to buy more of it! I bought a silk shirt last year and at first thought the same, that I should "save" it for some reason. But who has time to save pretty things I forced myself to wear it a few times, and that was that! Totally sold on it for daily wear. In fact, after that I decided I needed to add at least one silk thing to my wardrobe each season. Your scarf and blouse are both lovey! Definitely wear that pretty top more!

Thistle

Veteran

Love that scarf, so pretty!

I love the look and feel of silk. So sumptuous. I have a toddler. No silk for me!

bj1111

Veteran

i love silk...i also wash mine in the machine on gentle in a pillowcase. so it helps me get over the "preciousness" of the material.

Kalli

Silk also comes in so many textures that we don't realize it. I even have silk twill pants which has a heavier hand. Silk crepe de chine is the one they usually make blouses out of. Silk chiffon is quite crispy as is silk duponi. Silk taffeta is shiny and crisp. Maybe I am obsessed with silk!

Anonymous

In hot weather and with hot flashes there is nothing like silk! I wash my tops by hand and hang to dry, shaping them so I often don't need to use an iron. Not ironing also gives the piece a less shiny dressy texture. It's warm when it needs to feel warm and cool and breezy in the heat. Often these days it is not any more expensive than polyester.

Sarah A

Veteran

The blue top is lovely and it is amazing how much longevity you can get from and item you truly love. I do occasionally wear silk, and am certainly looking for more. I really love it so I am working on getting over the too preciousness Of my 3 silk shirts, two I machine wash on the hand wash cycle and one I reserve for dry clean.

Nicole D

Veteran

Adore silk. I am afraid to do anything but dry clean it though so it is an investment. I would like to get something made of silk jersey (DVF maybe...). Don't save it - it's so beautiful and feels and breathes so much better than polyester!

Anonymous

What gorgeous brights in your scarf and top! I wore my silk scarf today and was marveling at how much I love the print and color palette, which can be so personal. It made me smile to read how much you still love yours years later.

I have a three silk blouses as well. Two are *sandwashed* and the other is shiny. I wear them all for everyday. I wash them by hand, emboldened by the fact that they all came from the thrift store. I'll have to skip ironing the shiny one *waving to Joy* to see if that will make it look a little less formal. Great idea!

Adelfa

Veteran

Kalli, thanks for the encouragement to wear! I love the idea of thinking about silk like pearls!

Aida, I am usually on Team Wear but silk has got my number! In the last six months though I've actually bought 4 silk shirts so if I don't start wearing them it will be a sad waste of money! I like your idea of forcing myself.

Thistle, it's probably hard to conceptualize, but there will come a time when there are no yogurty hands clutching various parts of you! To me one of the truest things about motherhood is what I've been told is a Chinese saying, "The days are long, but the years are short."

BJ, Joy, Sarah, Claire--I have handwashed silk from time to time (and then I iron it dry while it is damp). I favor bright, saturated colors, and I'm always scared I will fade the colors in my shirts by handwashing. What do you think? Also I'm just happier with the perfectness of the dry cleaned product. (I keep getting tiny indicators that I'm not as RATE as I think I am.) What do you think? Does handwashing fade the colors or disrupt the prints?

Nicole, silk jersey, yum! Me too!

Day Vies

Veteran

I am biased in favor of cobalt so perhaps you'll take what I say with a grain of salt. I love these colors on you and the scarf is fabulous!

To answer your question the only problem I have with buying silk is finding it in the store at a quality weight. I love silk sweaters but they seem to be MIA.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I hate the smell of dry cleaning so I wash everything I can. I haven't had any problem with fading but I hand wash mine & wrap them in a towel until I'm ready to iron. Also put it all in the fridge if it's hot, to stop it from drying out.

Adelfa

Veteran

Day Vies, you're right! I used to love silk sweater tops and sweater sets. What happened?

Caro, love the fridge tip!

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

That scarf is gorgeous. And silk is a nice fabric, just find it difficult to wear in sultry summers in India.

cobaltblue

Veteran

I love silk and am always on the lookout for new silk tops. I handwash like Caro but have never use the fridge. I have a grubby toddler, too, Thistle, so I prefer prints! I wear silk as MOTG wear without hesitation.

cobaltblue

Veteran

Oh, and of course you look gorgeous, Adelfa!

Kalli

Back to you silk question about washing and ironing. Since probably about 50% of my closet is silk or silk lined (did I mention I have an obsession). I like to handwash with baby shampoo (silk is pretty much hair) or a lingerie soap. I treat it like hair, lukewarm water or cool. I roll my shirts with a towel and then I use a steamer to get the wrinkles out. Or if stubborn, iron inside out with a piece of silk chiffon on top (you can buy a piece of silk chiffon for inexpensive at joanns or leftover fabric store). I wear bright colors and they don't seem to fade (just don't dry in the sun - whites will yellow and colors will have a strange cast).

Jamie

Team silk! Yes, silk is best washed in baby shampoo. You can also wash in a garment bag and let things air dry. We use a steamer or an iron with a scrap of see through silk organza as our press cloth.

I make most of my silk tops for under jackets for less than I can buy a top from Target. (I love the Colette, Sorbetto pattern, with a very flattering vertical line.)

From a silks class that I took: All silk can be hand washed in baby shampoo, EXCEPT silk that looks like it would go on a sofa. (upholstery fabric)

Kalli

Hey Jamie, I was wondering about that since I acquired some really heavenly silk brocade fabric, it's copper metallic with a rose pattern, got 7 yards for a steal but haven't managed to sew it yet. I was reading that even upholstery type fabric such as this used to be handwashed (since it existed during the renaissance time period) which is ages before dry cleaning. Would you happen to know how to wash it? I might try a swatch with the handwash method since I'm not a fan of dry cleaning.

harmonica

Veteran

Amazing scarf! ANd love the silk top too! I had an issue with silk before I decided to actually wear all my clothes. I was saving the piece for better occasions and the result was really good clothes just hanging in the closet - and eventually given away because I gained weight after three pregnancies. So I decided that I could wear silk on weekdays and whenever just because it is such a great material

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Please wear that cobalt silk top more often! It looks wonderful and will make your DD happy

I wear a lot of silk and take it to the cleaners to launder.

Jamie

Kalli: I'm not certain about silk brocade, you could do a test piece. Measure it before and after wash and see how much it bleeds in the water. I personally would just dry clean something that valuable to be safe.

bj1111

Veteran

i've washed an hermes scarf in the machine and drip dried. still need to iron but absolutely no color fading at all.

shhh, our secret.

rachylou

Veteran

I hate the feel of silk, but I'm forcing myself to wear silkier things in the name of fashion. I was going to say I was getting better at it, but I realize I haven't worn anything silky in two weeks.

Got to get back on the wagon!

Adelfa

Veteran

Asingh, I was surprised when Joy said silk was good for hot flashes--I've been petrified to sweat in my silk--so today when I wore silk, and I had hot flashes (:-/) I reminded myself that Joy said it was Good! Maybe silk would keep you cool in those sweltery summers!

cobaltblue, you are my favorite color! And also my inspiration for wearing silk with toddlers around! As I sense grandchildren in my future, I will take you as my model!

Kalli, I didn't know about the presscloth piece! I will remember that! Also, I think I may be working up to your obsession.... I just counted and realized I have bought 5 silk shirts in the last year!

harmonica, I am repeating to myself, "actually wear, actually wear, actually wear"

Angie, keeping DD happy is definitely a priority! She helps me quite a bit with fashion.

Jamie, this is amazing--I have a BR silk top that's just straight down with a sort of cap sleeve--the sleeve is not sewn on but is just accomplished by cutting the top of the top a little wider if you know what I mean--and I've thought so many times that I would LOVE to duplicate the top many times in different fabrications--but I don't know where to get good silk. Can you please tell me where you buy your silk? Thanks!!!

bj--Hermes hand wash--you completely rock. Our secret!

rachylou, do you truly hate the feel of silk? Then I want to say just quit! There are lots of other wonderful fabrics. But you didn't ask for this advice. Let me know how it goes!
I can't really talk because today I forced myself to wear shocking pink.

Thanks to all for the responses!