An imitated silk material will never be mistaken for the real thing, and not just because it looks different from the outside. Unlike real silk, this type of fabric does not feel luxurious to the touch or drape in an attractive way. Though you might be tempted to get some imitation silk if you want to save money, it’s worth learning more about this material before making your decision so that you don’t end up with a garment that you can’t wear in public and that doesn’t even last long enough to get a return on your investment.

What is an imitated silk?

An imitated silk refers to a synthetic fabric that has been made to look like a natural silk. Many times, companies that sell imitated silks claim they are producing a more cost-effective silk than real silk while still being of high quality and luxuriousness.

While some fabrics sold as imitation silk are truly artificial, others use natural fibers to imitate other materials. Some people refer to these fibers by different names such as viscose or rayon.

Regardless of what they’re called, these fibers can feel similar to actual silk but often don’t last quite as long. When in doubt about whether a product is actually made from real silk or not, do some research on it online and read customer reviews.

Types of imitated silks

From an aesthetic standpoint, there are three types of imitated silks: natural, synthetic and artificial.

• Natural silks include tussah silk, produced from a silkworm species native to Asia; and more cultivated varieties such as mulberry silk, made from moth cocoons produced in laboratories.
• Synthetic imitated silks include rayon, which is derived from cellulose; viscose; modal; and lyocell.
• Artificial imitated silks are similar to artificial fur — that is, they’re produced through manufacturing processes with no natural elements involved. Common examples of artificial imitations include Dralon and Duracryl.

Uses of imitated silks

Imitated silks, can be used for various products including bedding sheets, women’s blouses, dresses and suits. They may be blended with fabrics such as wool or nylon for extra warmth or added strength to withstand daily use of items that may be washed regularly.

Conclusion

There are certain attributes that distinguish silk from its imitations and allow them to be a better, more appealing choice for today’s society. These fabrics are softer, lighter and less expensive than silk. They also have greater durability, which means you can wash them repeatedly without risking color fade or wear-and-tear. Best of all, they offer similar styling options as silk in both dressy and casual styles.