How to Care for Silk and Satin Clothes
Learn how to wash, dry, iron and store silk and satin garments, why silk needs gentle detergent, and how satin differs from silk.
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Six sections cover everything from fibre science to fashion history. Start where your question is.
Fabrics
Fibres, weaves and finishes explained, from cotton and wool to modern synthetics.
7 articlesClothing Care
Wash, dry, store and repair clothes the right way so they last longer.
6 articles
Garments
Types of jeans, collars and more, with the terms you need to shop well.
4 articlesFit & Sizing
How to measure yourself and how clothes should actually fit.
2 articles
Style Guides
Wardrobe planning and dress codes without the guesswork.
6 articlesFashion History
How denim, suits and everyday clothes got to where they are.
2 articlesLatest guides
In-depth reading on what clothes are made of, how they should fit and how to look after them.
Featured guide
How to Read Clothing Care Labels: Washing, Drying and Ironing Symbols
A plain-English guide to the washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and dry-cleaning symbols on clothing care labels, and what each one means.
Read the guideStart with a question
The questions readers ask most often, each answered in a full guide.
- What do the symbols on my clothing label mean?
- Which fabric is best for hot weather?
- How do I wash wool without shrinking it?
- How should a jacket and shirt fit?
- What is the difference between slim and straight jeans?
- What does smart casual actually mean?
- How do I measure my clothing size?
- What is a capsule wardrobe?
Which fabric suits the day?
Choose the conditions you are dressing for and see which fibres tend to work best, and why.
Recommended fibre
Linen or lightweight cotton
- Linen is the most breathable common fabric. It absorbs moisture and dries quickly.
- Lightweight cotton is softer and creases less than linen.
- Avoid heavy synthetics, which hold heat and moisture against the skin.
Meet the fibres
Eight fibres make up most of what you own. Here is what each one does best, and the one thing to watch.
Cotton
Soft and absorbent, grown in the boll around the cotton plant seeds. Best for everyday basics and bed linen.
Stronger when wet than dry, so it washes well.
Linen
Made from flax stems. Crisp, cool and very breathable. Best for hot-weather shirts and trousers.
Creases heavily and softens with every wash.
Wool
A protein fibre from sheep fleece. Warm, elastic and odour resistant. Best for knitwear, coats and suits.
Heat, water and rubbing make it felt and shrink.
Cashmere
The fine undercoat of cashmere goats. Very soft and light for its warmth. Best for knitwear and scarves.
Pills easily, so wash gently and comb pills away.
Silk
A smooth filament from silkworm cocoons. Lustrous and light. Best for blouses, scarves and linings.
Prolonged sunlight and harsh detergents can damage it.
Polyester
A durable polymer that dries quickly and resists wrinkles. Best for sportswear, outerwear and blends.
Absorbs very little water, so it can feel clammy.
Nylon
The first fully synthetic fibre, introduced in the late 1930s. Strong and abrasion resistant. Best for hosiery and jackets.
Sensitive to high heat in the wash and dryer.
Viscose
Regenerated cellulose from wood pulp. Soft with a fluid drape. Best for dresses, blouses and linings.
Weakens when wet, so handle it gently.
Fabric quick reference
How the most common clothing fibres compare at a glance. Always follow the care label on your own garment.
| Fibre | Origin | Breathability | Durability | Wrinkling | Typical care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Plant, seed fibre | High | Good, stronger when wet | Wrinkles easily | Machine wash, check for shrinkage |
| Linen | Plant, flax stem | Very high | Very good, softens with use | Wrinkles heavily | Wash cool or warm, line dry |
| Wool | Animal, sheep fleece | High, regulates warmth | Good, naturally elastic | Resists wrinkles | Gentle wash, dry flat |
| Silk | Animal, silkworm cocoon | Good | Strong fibre, delicate finish | Moderate | Hand wash or dry clean per label |
| Polyester | Synthetic polymer | Low | High | Resists wrinkles | Machine wash, low heat |
| Nylon | Synthetic polymer | Low | Very high abrasion resistance | Resists wrinkles | Machine wash cool, low heat |
| Viscose | Regenerated cellulose | Good | Weaker when wet | Wrinkles easily | Gentle wash or per label |
Ratings are general guidance. Weave, finish and blends change how any real fabric behaves.
Care label symbols
Five shapes cover almost every care label. Learn them once and every label becomes readable.
Washing
A number shows the maximum water temperature in degrees Celsius. A hand means hand wash only.
Bleaching
Empty means any bleach. Two diagonal lines mean non-chlorine bleach only.
Drying
A circle inside means tumble drying is allowed. Other lines show line drying, drip drying or drying flat.
Ironing
Dots show the heat: one is low, two are medium and three are high.
Professional cleaning
Empty means dry cleaning is allowed. A letter shows the solvent type to use.
A cross through any symbol means do not do that.
Read the full care label guideHandy tools
Two quick calculators for common clothing questions.
Inches to centimetres
Size charts mix both units. Type in either box and the other updates.
Cost per wear
Divide the price by the number of times you expect to wear it.
Enter a price and a number of wears.
Clothing through time
Key moments in how suits, denim and synthetic fabrics shaped what we wear.
- 1666
Charles II of England introduces a plain long coat, waistcoat and breeches as court dress. History of the suit
- 1873
Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss receive a patent for copper-riveted work trousers on 20 May. History of denim
- 1934
Levi's launches its first jeans designed for women, called Lady Levi's.
- 1940
Nylon stockings reach the public, after DuPont introduced the first fully synthetic fibre in the late 1930s. Synthetic fabrics guide
- 1947
Wrangler launches, adding to the growing market for denim workwear and western wear.
- 1955
Rebel Without a Cause helps link jeans with youth and rebellion in popular culture.
- 1980s
The power suit arrives, with padded shoulders and a broad silhouette.
Quick answers
Short answers to common clothing questions. Follow the links above for the full detail.
What is the most breathable fabric?
Linen is generally the most breathable common clothing fabric, followed by lightweight cotton. Loose weaves and open knits breathe better than tightly woven or coated fabrics, whatever the fibre.
How often should I wash jeans?
There is no fixed rule. Many people wash jeans after several wears, or when they are dirty or sweaty, because less washing protects colour and fit. Wash them inside out in cold water.
Why do clothes shrink in the wash?
Heat, water and agitation let fibres relax and tighten. Cotton and wool shrink the most. Washing in cool water, drying gently and choosing pre-shrunk fabric all reduce the risk.
What does GSM mean on a t-shirt?
GSM stands for grams per square metre and measures fabric weight. As a rough guide, lightweight t-shirt fabric is under about 150 GSM, midweight is around 150 to 200, and heavyweight is above that.
Is polyester bad for your skin?
Polyester is not harmful in itself, but it absorbs little moisture and can feel hot and clammy. If you have sensitive skin or an allergy, natural fibres may be more comfortable, and washing new clothes before wearing them helps. Speak to a healthcare professional about any skin condition.
How can I tell if a garment is well made?
Check that seams are straight and even, stitches are small and secure, patterns line up at the seams, buttons are firmly sewn and the fabric springs back when gently stretched. The fibre content and fabric weight on the label also give clues.
Terms worth knowing
The vocabulary behind labels, size charts and fabric descriptions.
- Warp and weft
- In woven cloth, warp yarns run lengthwise on the loom and weft yarns pass across them.
- Selvedge
- The self-finished edge of woven fabric, which stops the cloth from unravelling.
- GSM
- Grams per square metre. A measure of fabric weight, where a higher number means heavier cloth.
- Thread count
- The number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric, used mainly for bed linen and shirting.
- Staple length
- The length of individual fibres in cotton or wool. Longer staples spin into smoother, stronger yarn.
- Hand
- How a fabric feels when touched, including its softness, stiffness and drape.
Every guide, by topic
The full library at a glance. Pick a section and read on.
Fabrics
- Cotton, Linen and Wool: How the Main Natural Fabrics Compare
- Fabric Weight and GSM Explained: What the Numbers Mean
- Leather vs Faux Leather: Differences, Durability and Care
- Merino Wool vs Cashmere: Which Knitwear Is Worth It?
- Polyester, Nylon and Viscose: A Guide to Synthetic Fabrics
- Sustainable Fabrics Explained: What to Look For and What to Question
- Waterproof vs Water-Resistant Jackets: What the Labels Really Mean
Style Guides
- Dress Codes Explained: From Casual to White Tie
- Fast Fashion vs Slow Fashion: What the Terms Mean and How to Shop Smarter
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in Six Steps
- How to Buy Second-Hand Clothes: A Practical Checklist
- How to Layer Clothes for Cold Weather: The Three-Layer System
- Quiet Luxury Explained: What It Is and How to Dress the Part
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- Plain facts firstEach guide explains how a fabric or garment behaves in practice, then how to choose and care for it.
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