Silkspun is SilkLiving's own fabric: a jersey knit of 72% silk, 13% merino wool and 15% cotton, with no elastane and no synthetic additives.  It was developed it by us in the late 1990s so that silk could be worn as outerwear rather than only underneath.  We have made been making  garments from it since 2001, and it is available only from us.

Where Silkspun came from

In the late 1990’s, whilst studying for her Degree in Fabric and Textile Science, founding designer Emily Cooper fell in love with the exceptional qualities of silk - in particular how well it outperforms many traditional natural fibres such as wool, or indeed man-made fibres, whether cellulose or synthetic-based.

However, as most of us know, silk in its natural state is inherently fine.  This means that - irrespective of how many silk filaments are gathered to twist into thread - the result when turned into a jersey-knit fabric will always be slightly sheer.  This is fine for an undergarment (and, indeed, is delicious to wear against your skin), but it means it is less likely to be used as outerwear.

Also an outdoors-enthusiast, Emily disliked the man-made high-performance fabrics of the day.  However, she knew that for many people these highly processed, man-made (often synthetic) fabrics were the only itch-free alternative to wool.  So she set about creating a 100% natural fabric to bring together the gorgeously soft, smooth qualities of silk against the skin with the opacity that can only be achieved when combining silk thread with other fibres.

And so, our Silkspun was born!

Finding the right blend

It was clear that the final percentage of silk must be high in order to ensure its overriding qualities as the predominant component of the finished fabric.  Also vital was fabric that would feel (almost) as light and fine to wear as pure silk; that it would be warm or cool as needed by the wearer, and it would be strong enough so that each garment would last for many years. And through much trial and effort, experimenting with a wide variety of fibres and techniques, and working with a number of expert spinning mills, the winning blend was finally reached – 72% silk, 13% merino wool and 15% cotton.

What makes the blend work

What is so great about this blend?  Well, as noted above, at 72% silk it is almost as light and fine to wear as a similar jersey knit in pure silk.  Furthermore:

• Its high content of protein fibre ensures that it will be warm or cool depending on what is required by the wearer.
• The small amount of merino wool and cotton give the fabric a degree of opacity, meaning it can be worn as a single layer of outerwear if desired.
• The jersey knit gives natural stretch, so there is no addition of elastane, spandex or any other man-made additive. 
• Its high silk content (and lack of elastane) means it is usually comfortable for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
• Every fibre in it is natural, which also means it sheds no microplastics in the wash, unlike synthetic or recycled knits.
• Silkspun’s high content of protein fibres inhibits the build-up of odour-causing bacteria, so your garments can go longer between washes.  However, it’s amazingly light and fine, so when you finally do need to wash, it dries fast!
• Silk and merino are naturally slower to ignite than synthetic fabrics, and they char rather than melting onto skin.

First offered in 2001, our beautiful Silkspun garments have been loved by our many customers for 25 years.  And most amazingly, some of those very first garments are still being worn today!

See what customer Nigel had to say:

" 5 Stars!

I'm loving my tank top and long-sleeve polo (which can dress up or down for literally almost any occasion).  The Silkspun fabric which is mostly silk with some merino and cotton is superb - such an ideal blend! (Great for anyone with sensory issues, the single label can be removed too). I was a longtime follower of a merino based company here in NZ, but now I'm a convert to Silk Living - sexier cuts and fits and nicer fabric and quality.  Fair price point too.  Also, love the website, various real people modeling the clothes - has a nice authenticity and freshness."

Silkspun questions, answered

What is Silkspun made of? 

Silkspun is 72% silk, 13% merino wool and 15% cotton, knitted as a jersey.  It contains no elastane, spandex or synthetic additives. 

Is Silkspun the same as pure silk? 

No.  Silkspun is a blend, made opaque enough to wear as outerwear.  Pure silk jersey of the same weight is slightly sheer. We make garments in both.

Who makes Silkspun? 

We do. It is spun to order specifically for us, and is available only from SilkLiving. 

Is Silkspun see-through? 

No.  The merino and cotton give it opacity that silk alone does not have, so a single layer works as outerwear. 

Does Silkspun itch? 

The blend is only 13% merino and the silk sits against the skin, so customers who find wool prickly generally wear Silkspun comfortably.  Some customers even find it more tolerable than 100% silk. 

Is Silkspun warm or cool? 

Both.  Protein fibres respond to the wearer, holding warmth when it is cold and releasing it when it is not, which is why Silkspun works year- round in either hemisphere. 

How often does Silkspun need washing? 

Less often than most fabrics.  Its protein fibres slow the build-up of odour-causing bacteria, so garments stay fresh between wears. 

How long does Silkspun last? 

We first sold Silkspun garments in 2001, and some of those original pieces are still being worn today.