Is Chiffon Silk? How to Tell What You're Looking At
Quick answer: Not necessarily. Chiffon is a weave, a sheer plain weave made from tightly twisted yarns, and it can be made from silk, polyester, nylon or rayon. Much of the chiffon sold today is polyester. To know what you're buying, read past the word chiffon to the fiber line: silk chiffon will say silk.
The French word behind chiffon means a rag. It now hangs on bridesmaid dresses and evening gowns, and it still won't tell you what the cloth is made from.
Picture the tag on a floaty dress: "Chiffon" on the hanger, "100% polyester" on the seam. Nobody has lied to you. One word says how the cloth was woven and the other says what it was woven from, and the mix-up happens only when you read the first as the second.
What is chiffon made of?
Chiffon can be made of silk, polyester, nylon, rayon or cotton, because the name describes the weave. It's woven from high-twist yarns that alternate in direction, and the twist makes the cloth pucker slightly once it's off the loom. That's where chiffon gets its little bit of stretch and its faintly rough surface. Early chiffon was all silk. By the usual account nylon chiffon followed in 1938 and polyester in 1958, and polyester's low cost and resilience made chiffon an everyday fabric.
Is silk chiffon real silk?
Yes, if the label says silk. It's the same fiber as a silk pillowcase in a very different weave, and much lighter, often around 8 momme against a pillowcase's 19 to 25. Expect it to feel dry and airy. If you pick it up expecting the slick glide of satin, you might doubt it, and the weave is the reason.
How can you tell silk chiffon from polyester chiffon?
Read the fiber line, because it's the only quick answer you can trust. "Chiffon" alone names no fiber. Under the FTC's textile rules, clothing and scarves must show fiber content on the label, so turn it over. Silky vs silk covers the other words that blur this.
With no label, a burn test on one loose thread will settle it: silk smells like singed hair and leaves a crushable ash, while polyester melts into a hard bead. How to tell if silk is real walks through doing that safely. The differences by hand are only hints.
| Silk chiffon | Polyester chiffon | |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | Protein from the silkworm | Synthetic |
| Feel | Soft and dry, with a slight texture | Often a little springier and slicker |
| Color | Takes dye well, with a soft shimmer | Wide range of colors and prints |
| Wear | Delicate, and frays easily | Resilient, though it can also fray and snag |
| Care | Label first, often dry clean or a cold hand wash | Often machine washable on a gentle cycle |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Polyester chiffon is a sensible choice for a lot of dresses, including ones headed for a dance floor and then a washing machine.
How do you care for chiffon?
Follow the care label first. A gown or a lined, constructed piece in silk chiffon belongs with a dry cleaner, and this guide to dry cleaning silk explains when that matters. A plain silk chiffon scarf labeled for home washing can be hand washed in cold water, then hung or laid flat to dry. A cool iron on the reverse takes care of creases. Polyester chiffon is usually easier, and the label will tell you. Either way, the open weave frays and snags, so keep it clear of zippers and jewelry clasps.
Does LS Silk sell chiffon?
Only made to order, by quote. LS Silk doesn't sell chiffon ready to wear. The Custom Studio makes scarves in silk twill at 14 or 16 momme and crêpe de Chine at 14 momme as standard; for silk chiffon, email support@lovesilk.com with your design and quantity for a quote. This comparison of silk twill, crêpe de Chine and chiffon shows how each behaves with a printed design.
Email us for a silk chiffon quote →
A rag, in the original French. The word has moved up in the world since then, and it never promised you silk. The fiber line was always the part to read.
Frequently asked questions
Is chiffon natural or synthetic?
It can be either. Chiffon is defined by its weave, so it can be made from natural fibers such as silk and cotton, a plant-based fiber such as rayon, or synthetics such as polyester and nylon. The fiber line on the label tells you which one you have.
Is silk chiffon see-through?
Yes, to a degree. Silk chiffon is sheer, and its light weight and open weave let daylight through. That's why dresses and blouses in chiffon are often lined or worn over a layer, while a scarf can be worn as it is.
What is the difference between chiffon and georgette?
Both are sheer fabrics made from high-twist yarns, and both can be silk or polyester. Chiffon is usually smoother and more lustrous, while georgette has a more crinkled, grainy surface. Neither word tells you the fiber, so check the label on either.
Can you wash silk chiffon?
Check the care label first, and if it says dry clean, do that, especially for a gown or a lined piece. A plain silk chiffon scarf labeled for home washing can go in a cold hand wash with mild detergent. Don't wring it, and hang it or lay it flat to dry.
Is chiffon good for a silk scarf?
It's a good choice for a scarf you want to float, since it's sheer and very light. It has little structure, so it won't hold a crisp knot the way silk twill does. For a printed design, the sheerness also softens the colors.
Related reading: How to Buy Real Silk Online · Silky vs Silk