What is Silk Noil? Exploring Our Favorite Silk!

First let's talk about 'conventional' silk.

When you typically think of silk, you might recall a very smooth, lustrous, and slippery fabric.  This fabric is broadly known as mulberry silk.  These 'smooth as silk' properties are due to the nature of the silk fiber, which is a mono filament unwound from the cocoon of a bombyx moth. 

A monofilament is one extremely long smooth continuous strand, think of something similar to a fishing line. One cocoon can unwind fibers that are up to one mile long!  Conventional silk yarns are made from twisting multiple filament fibers together.

How is silk noil different?

Silk noil (pronounced like soil)  is made from the exact same source, but the yarn is created in a different way.  A silk noil yarn is made from silk filaments that have been cut or broken into shorter pieces called staple fibers.  Staple fibers can still be quite long, up to a few yards, but they have a noticeable beginning and end.  Silk noil yarns are created by twisting these shorter fibers together.  Other types of staple fibers you probably already familiar with include cotton, wool, and linen.

A sustainable choice.

There are enough broken cocoons and fibers in the manufacture of mulberry silk to supply the demand for silk noil yarns.  Therefore, all silk noil is made from pre-consumer manufacturing waste.  The staple fibers used may be the result of a moth that breaks out of it's cocoon too early, other types of damage in handling the cocoons, or simply leftover pieces from the reeling and spinning process. 

Silk noil has been around a very long time.

Silk has always been an expensive an coveted fiber.  Therefore, the practice of saving and utilizing the silk noil fibers is thought to be as old as sericulture itself. How long have people been harvesting silk you ask?  Oh only for about 7000 years!

Why we love silk noil!

The resulting silk noil yarn and fibers lack the shine of conventional silk in lieu of a more rustic, nubby and cozy fabric.  What it lacks it luster, silk noil makes up for in a cozy casual feeling and ease of care. Meanwhile it retains many exceptional benefits mulberry silk like warmth, strength, and soft drape.

Silk bandanas make a great travel companion, keeping you comfortable in both hot and cold climates. Silk is a natural, durable, yet biodegradable fiber that has a very low environmental impact. The unique texture in the fiber can feel slightly rough to some at first. The more you wear your bandana, the softer it will become and you’ll quickly be converted. You can read our care instructions here.

Silk Noil bandanas combine enduring elegance with a multitude of exceptional benefits. From luxurious comfort and sustainability to versatile style, durability, and a connection to history, these accessories are truly remarkable. By incorporating Silk Noil bandanas into your wardrobe, you not only add a touch of elegance but also contribute to a more sustainable and conscious fashion industry.  Want even more reasons to love silk noil?  Read our blog post that outlines nine reasons to wear it!

Shop our silk noil collection here!