Pros and Cons of Silk Shirts

Formal wear would cease to be formal at all without the ever-present anchor that holds an ensemble together, and we're of course referring to the properly maintained and stylish dress shirt. In spite of all the fashion trends over the years that have deviated from the traditional button-down toward crew necks, polo shirts, and even turtlenecks, it's hard to envision a custom suit paired with anything but a crisp, clean, and collared dress shirt, especially in the context of professional and other formal settings. The classic appeal of the dress shirt has stood the test of time and certainly isn't going away anytime soon.

            But just like custom suits themselves, dress shirts are offered in a variety of materials, each of which has its perks and drawbacks. The most common material used for dress shirts is by far cotton, largely in part due to its ease of manufacture, durability, and breathability as a fabric. Linen is also a popular choice because of its light weight and overall more comfortable feel, and this is especially beneficial in the summer months. While blended fabrics might not hold the same clout as 100 percent natural materials, they're still popular due to their increased durability and lower price point.

            Some gentlemen, however, prefer silk above all other types of materials for their dress shirts, in spite of the perceived higher costs and more delicate maintenance considerations. Although silk shirts aren't always going to be appropriate for every circumstance or inclement conditions outdoors, what silk may lack in terms of maintenance and cost is compensated by an impeccable style and unmatched comfort due to silk's unique intrinsic properties. As it is also one of the world's oldest materials used for clothing, it's no surprise that silk has found its niche in the realm of formal wear as it evolved into its current form, being the choice material for neckties, bow ties, higher-end dress shirts, and pocket squares.

            Stylish and sleek, silk dress shirts can elevate the formal wear in your wardrobe to new heights. When donned correctly, silk shirts can exude a particular shine and brashness that is somewhat lacking in other types of materials. Worn either by themselves or stylishly paired with a custom suit, silk shirts can add that extra tinge of flair you've been looking for while simultaneously possessing a subtlety that's all but impossible to go without in formal modes of dress. In this piece, we'll go over the pros and cons of silk shirts, and how they compare to other fabrics.

--How Silk Shirts Are Made--

            The way in which silk is manufactured requires a great deal of complexity in the process itself as well as a certain level of ethical scrutiny due to how the silk is harvested. The silk that eventually makes its way into shirts, ties, dresses, and other textiles comes from the cocoons of silkworms prior to their full-grown moth stage. As a time-saving measure, much of the silk processed today is done in the same way it has been done for thousands of years, by harvesting the cocoons before the moths are allowed to hatch. Starting in the 1990s and beyond, the practice of harvesting silk cocoons after the silkworms leave them behind became more commonplace, which causes no harm to the moths. Ahimsa silk, as the latter process is referred to, is more sustainable but simultaneously more costly than traditional harvesting methods. As it takes 10 days before the moths hatch from their cocoons, this can slow down the silk production process considerably.

            Once the cocoons are boiled in water to loosen the silk fibers, they are unwound and then spun together with other strands to form a single thread, as each strand by itself is too fragile for practical applications. To make yarn, these threads are then twisted together and put through rollers. The yarn is then dyed so it can be woven into textile fabrics for a wide variety of uses.

            Because the silk production process can take a long time compared to other fabrics such as cotton and linen, the material tends to be more expensive. But in spite of the cost premium, silk enjoys many benefits and remains a popular choice for dress shirts in the luxury market.

--Pros--

            Perhaps the most noticeable benefit and selling point of silk is its lightweight feel, as it's something that is immediately tangible and perceptible to potential customers. Men who wear suits on a regular basis often have to grapple with balancing style and personal comfort levels, which can sometimes be a challenge when formal wear requires multiple layers. By bringing a silk dress shirt into the mix, the difference is quite noticeable, as it will reduce the overall physical weight of a formal ensemble and allow better free-flowing mobility throughout the day.

            Related to silk's lightweight properties is the fabric's remarkable ability to breathe. Due to the thin fibers that comprise silk dress shirts, airflow is hardly impeded to any noticeable degree. In a very similar fashion to wool, this unobstructed air circulation boosts the wicking properties of silk, allowing dress shirts made from this material to keep you cool in the summer as well as comfortable in the winter. Silk also has superior absorbency compared to other fabrics, which makes it particularly useful for dress shirts with intricate designs, as it can absorb colored dyes more easily than cotton or blended fabrics.

            In spite of its perceived delicate nature, silk is actually quite durable. While fine to the touch, silk's tensile strength is very strong, making it less likely that silk shirts will fray over time. With proper maintenance and care, the silk dress shirts in your wardrobe will hardly ever have to be replaced. This longevity can also offset the initial upfront cost of the material compared to other fabrics. With silk, you might end up getting more mileage out of your shirts in the long run even when you pay a higher premium for them.

            Most importantly from a comfort and style standpoint, silk would not have the same popular allure that it does if it weren't for the material's texture. Soft to the touch, many professionals who own silk dress shirts swear by their overall looser feel and ability to allow unrestricted movement. These properties are especially beneficial if you're in an environment where you need to be dressed in formal wear for extended periods of time, whether at the office or during company events outside of the workplace. Thanks to its texture, silk is perhaps the least abrasive on the skin, as well.

--Cons--

            In spite of the many intrinsic benefits of silk fabric, it's important to understand and weigh the potential drawbacks before investing a significant amount of time, money, and energy into adding a collection of silk dress shirts to your wardrobe. The most significant downside to silk is, of course, the cost. Depending on the type of silk and how it is cultivated, silk dress shirts will cost significantly more than shirts made from other materials. In addition to the upfront cost, silk shirts can present unique maintenance concerns over their lifetimes and add to the overall cost burden of owning them.

            The unmatched style and texture of a silk dress shirt comes at yet another cost that has nothing to do with your wallet. Compared to other materials, silk is more prone to sun and water damage. Excessive exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading while too much moisture can warp the fabric strands, significantly altering the structure and style of dress shirts made from silk. Just as suede jackets can undergo irreparable damage during rainy conditions, silk shirts require the same amount of caution and care when exposed to the elements outdoors.

            As all materials have to be laundered periodically, silk is no exception. Like other sensitive fabrics, silk must be handled carefully when it is cleaned, as the material is more susceptible to shrinkage than cotton, linen, or blended fabrics used for dress shirts. To keep silk shirts in pristine condition, they should be hand-washed and rinsed in cold water, taking extra care not to twist them in the process, as this can permanently alter the shirts' structures and cause wrinkles that are difficult to remove. To state the obvious, it's important to reiterate that hot water never be used on silk. Exposure to too much heat can cause the silk fibers to contract and lose their shape, which in turn will cause your shirts to shrink. For the same reason, silk is best air-dried and should not be subject to heat from a typical dryer cycle in a machine.

            Just as you would with dress shirts made from other sensitive fabrics, taking your silk shirts to a reputable dry cleaner might be a better bet. An experienced cleaning service will know how to care for your shirts properly without damaging them; the tradeoff of course is yet another additional ongoing cost of maintaining your silk items.

            While the special considerations that come with silk dress shirts may not be for everyone, at the end of the day, having at least a few of them in your wardrobe can elevate your style to the next level, even if it's just by virtue of adding more variety to your formal rotation. Paired with the right custom suit, a silk dress shirt provides a sharpness to your overall appearance that some other fabrics can't quite achieve in the same vein. Whether you're looking to spruce up your formal attire or need a complete overhaul, Enzo Custom has you covered. Stop into one of our showrooms today or schedule a free consultation with one of our clothiers via videoconference.