Which Type of Silk Is Best for Sleepwear and Pajamas?

Nothing feels as good as soft, buttery silk fabric touching your skin while you sleep after an exhausting day. It's a decadent feeling that many consider to be the height of luxury and the ultimate definition of sleeping in comfort and in style.

What makes silk sleepwear so great, you ask? Well, for starters, silk has the ability to regular body temperature. This means that you won't ever have to worry about waking up drenched in sweat or freezing to death when you're wearing silk sleepwear. It also helps keep your skin from developing wrinkles and your hair from getting frizzy while you're getting your beauty sleep.

Due to its popularity, numerous dishonest individuals have exploited the silk industry by infiltrating the market. They have brought false silk fabrics and products to the market. Due to its affordability, some people prefer fake or synthetic silk over real silk. However, while fake silk may closely resemble the real thing, it will always feel different: scratchier, tougher, and generally less luxurious.

And, while we're on the topic of natural silk, did you know that there are many different types of natural silk out there? Most are produced by silkworms, while others by spiders and some by seashells. Of all these, though, there is one type of natural silk that works so fantastically well as sleepwear. Find out what it is by reading about it below.

Different Types of Natural Silk

Mulberry Silk

Mulberry silk is considered to be the best and highest-quality silk you'll find in the whole world. Aside from that, it is also the most highly produced type of silk, with about 90% of the world's silk production being credited to mulberry silk.

The way mulberry silk is made is no different than most other types of silk. Mulberry silk fibers are created by the Bombyx mori silkworm. These silkworms are primarily found in China, and they feed almost exclusively on white mulberry leaves, which is where mulberry silk gets its color from.

Mulberry silk is used for all sorts of things. From glamorous dresses to comfortable sleepwear and essential medical supplies, you'd be surprised at how versatile this type of silk is.

Tussah Silk

Naturally Colored and Textured Silk

Uniquely Luxurious Silk for Sleepwear

Sleepwear Rating: 4/5

Compared to mulberry silk, which is created exclusively by a single type of silkworm (Bombyx mori), tussah silk is created by multiple species of wild silkworms found mainly in India, China, and Southeast Asia. These worms feed on a variety of leaves, including oak, eucalyptus, and juniper, to name a few. This is why tussah silk fibers come in a variety of earthy hues ranging from pale beige to dark brown.

There is a common misconception about natural silks being soft and smooth. While most types of natural silk are indeed soft and smooth to the touch, tussah silk is not. Tussah silk is prized for its unique texture, rough and irregular. This is due to the spinning techniques utilized by wild silkworms that make this type of silk.

One of the things that makes tussah silk a great option for creating silk sleepwear is its ability to insulate the body against both cold and heat. Aside from sleepwear, tussah silk is also a superb fabric to use for outerwear and home décor textiles.

If you’re looking for natural silk sleepwear that’s unique, luxurious, and more affordable than mulberry silk, go with a tussah silk piece instead.

Eri Silk

The Peace Silk

Ethical, luxurious, sustainable

Sleepwear Rating: 4/5

Eri silk gets its name from the Assamese word ‘Era’ which means 'castor'—the plant from which the Samia Cynthia Ricini moth (the moth that creates Eri silk) feeds. Aside from Eri, this natural fabric is also often called Endi or Errandi Silk as well as Ahmisa Silk, from the Assamese word ‘ahmisa’ which means non-violence.

Eri silk is known as the most ethical and sustainable type of natural fabric in the world. From the way silkworms are raised to the way their cocoons are processed to harvest the silk fiber, Eri silk is unique and exceptionally different from all the others.

Instead of boiling cocoons with the worms still inside (before the moths emerge), Eri silk farmers wait for the moth to emerge out of the cocoon before boiling it, making sure that no insect is harmed during the whole process. This is why it’s called the Peace Silk or the Non-violence Silk.

Like other types of silk mentioned in this article, Eri Silk is also a fantastic option for sleepwear. It has the same, if not better, insulating properties as tussah and mulberry silk; it’s also breathable, and it does not generate static electricity, which means it won’t unnecessarily cling on to your body after a night of cozying up under the sheets. In terms of appearance, Eri Silk has more of a matte finish. It looks more closely similar to cotton than silk, although it is much softer than cotton.

If you’re looking for an animal-friendly, ethical, and sustainable alternative to your usual silk nighties, you might feel better about wearing Eri silk instead. Don’t worry; Eri silk is super versatile and can be used for both women’s and men’s silk pajamas alike.

Muga Silk

The Golden Silk of Assam

A rare and exclusive icon of luxury

Sleepwear Rating: 3/5

Known for its warm, golden honey color and its exquisitely smooth and soft texture, Muga silk is also called the Golden Silk of Assam. This highly sought-after natural fabric is made from the cocoons of Antheraea assamensis silkworms, a wild silkworm variety found mostly in the Garo hills of the Assam region in northeastern India that feeds on a combination of sualu, som, pan-chapa, and mejankari tree leaves. This type of silk is exclusively produced in this region as well.

Like mulberry silk, Muga silk is also durable, breathable, and lightweight. It also has a fine, glossy sheen and a naturally golden luster that you won’t find in other types of silk. It is hypoallergenic, chemical-free, and offers a ton of benefits for the skin and hair. However, unlike the other types of silk mentioned in this article, Muga silk is the least practical choice for sleepwear.

Although totally possible, muga silk is just too expensive and too exquisite to be used only for sleepwear. Most people who buy muga silk often use it as clothing for special occasions, like sarees, wedding gowns, and other special pieces of clothing worn typically during special occasions like weddings.

Final Thoughts

Among the different types of silk mentioned above, Mulberry Silk is the best type of silk to use for sleepwear and pajamas. It is a highly breathable, hypoallergenic, moisture-absorbing, comfortable, and durable fabric that regulates body temperature and keeps skin dry and comfortable while sleeping.