But there’s another reason I love silk and that’s because the wearing of it – quite simply – makes me feel good!  Silk has been a timeless classic for clothing throughout the ages for good reason. It hints of luxury and sensuality and yet is really an every-woman wardrobe staple. After all, who hasn’t had a silk shirt or at the very least a silk scarf in their wardrobe at some point in time?

With a little TLC, silk will also last a long time without the fabric picking up those ‘impossible to remove’ faint odours that synthetic clothing does over time. I have had several of my silk pieces for well over 5 years and they are still looking good after all this time, even with very regular wear.

While silk is lovely to wear and looks stylish to boot, I often get the comment “I’d love to wear silk but I just don’t have time to look after it properly”. This always surprises me because I wear a lot of silk (you can’t say I’m not a supporter of my own product) and I find it very easy to look after. Basically caring for silk comes down to 3 simple things:

1. Hand wash with ‘wool wash’ or shampoo (but don’t use shampoo containing silicone) to save time, I do this while I shower.
2. Dry flat in the shade on a towel or other absorbent surface. While silk is a very resilient fibre, ongoing exposure to full sun will in time, do damage (just like it does to your skin). I have also been known to peg my PJs, silk slips, and camis (by the straps) on the line but only during the shady part of the day.
3. If you feel you need to iron it, do so on a low-medium setting. I don’t iron my silk pieces as a) I hate ironing and b) I find if I lay them out carefully to dry and then hang or store them flat in drawers they don’t crease.

1,2 3. Easy!

Here’s what she has to say:

There’s a lot of animal print around for autumn/winter 2011. I’ve seen it everywhere from luxe high-end boutiques to chain store “cheap and cheerful”. Personally this is a trend I love. I am known for incorporating a little leopard into my wardrobe from time to time. However, like most fashion trends this is one that can be confusing if you’re not sure how to wear it. And its an easy one to get wrong!

To avoid looking like you’re trying too hard, this is one trend where less is most definitely more.  If you want to try it out but don’t know if it’s your kind of thing here’s a few guidelines to keep in mind:

1. COLOUR: Go with a print that will match your colouring – eg if you have warm, toasty tones in your skin/eyes/hair colour then the browns, bronzes and earth colours of leopard and giraffe print will work for you. But if you’re a cool profile with deep hair and eyes and a high contrast between your skin tone and hair/eye colour, then a zebra or snake print or something that also has a high contrast will be better for you. Knowing your colour profile (in general) will help you find what you’re after more quickly and also avoid costly wardrobe mistakes.
2. SCALE: If you are fine boned and petite then your frame will be overwhelmed by large amounts of print or a print with a large pattern – ie bold stripes and large ’spots’. A smaller print will work best for you.  However if you are fuller figured and/or taller then you can carry off larger areas of print and also a larger scale print.

How to wear animal prints

• Scarf: if you really just want to ‘dip your toe in the water’ with this trend then consider a scarf tied around your handbag strap, to ease you into it (Myer, DJs, Sportscraft, Portmans, Diva, Temt).
• Bangle: for ‘toe-dippers’ there are also several really smart leopard and other jungle print bangles around in chunky resin styles (Lovisa, Mouche and Diva) . These work well to liven up a black outfit, but also complement cream, red or earth tones very well. Or if you’re really not sure sure then perhaps an animal print handbag hook (Myer) will give you a way to express your wild side safely.
• Sunglasses: Another good way to try it out without being overly dramatic. Leopard, giraffe, tiger stripe, or tortoiseshell acetate frames will work well on those with warm and not too light colouring.
• Belt: Alternatively you could consider incorporating a leopard or crocodile print belt (Sportscraft, Valley Girl, Glassons, Myer, Portmans) either with jeans, or worn over a slim line shirt, jacket or cardigan with black pants or skirt. If you are going to wear a belt this way, work with your body shape and emphasise your narrowest part or use it to enlongate your torso.
• Shoes: If you’re bold go for all out sex-appeal in high heeled leopard pumps (Nine West) or to downplay it leopard loafers (Sportscraft). Snake or crocodile print is also a good way to bring some animal print into your wardrobe without being too OTT.
• Cardigan: I have found several very smart slim cut ‘twin-set’ style cardigans (Basque, Ezi-Buy ‘Emerge’, Wheels & Doll Baby) in leopard print …in colours from very earthy browns and black through to delicate cream, pale pinks and grey. These look great teamed with simple black, tan or cream pants or worn over a dress in these colours.
• Trench: If you really want to amp up the drama and the ‘wow factor’ then an animal print trench may be more your speed. Bear in mind with this look that you will be noticed, so walk talk, smile and enjoy the attention.

If you have more thoughts on how the animal print trend can be adapted to suit women of all ages and sizes then please share your comments below. I’d love to hear how you wear it.

Author’s note: I have no affiliation with any of the stores mentioned here and receive no incentives or ‘kickbacks’ from them.

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Given that I’ve just left for a multi-country trip, I thought it was appropriate to share some thoughts on making packing for travel easier.  Often I visit remote destinations and staying in the type of accommodation that won’t be listed in Condé Nast Traveller any time soon. This means I carry my own bags and have to be ready to hop on and off planes, trains and buses. Because of this I have learned to travel light and this is where I am always grateful for my silk clothing.

To ensure maximum room in my bag I roll all my silk pieces and then layer them in and around other items. I find this not only save space but also helps them from creasing so that when I arrive at me destination I don’t have to look for an iron.

I have also learned to be more creative with my wardrobe… that way a pair of silk pants can serve as sleepwear, comfortable plane attire, and then can be dressed up to go out in the evening. My longer silk slips can be worn under other dresses to keep me cool during the day, or layered under a kaftan as a glamorous evening outfit on those occasions where such a thing is required. In fact a kaftan is a one of the most versatile travel items you can pack.

I have a friend who loves to travel and she tells me she uses her silk kaftan as a scarf rolled lengthways and looped around her neck a couple of times, as a wrap on the plane, as a beach cover up and then throws on heels and a belt to go out at night. She also wears it tucked it into the waistband of long pants then blouses it over the top as a stylish shirt. She even used it as a sleep sheet once on an overnight train in India when she was dismayed at the state of the sheets and blankets handed out by the train porter. I chuckle thinking about her wrapped in leopard print silk chiffon while others made do with threadbare India Rail blankets.

The beauty of silk for those who travel off the beaten track is its versatility, is light and easily rolled to pack, easy to hand-wash in your hotel room where it will quite comfortably dry overnight. However if you’re a 5 star princess who wouldn’t be caught dead on a bus in rural Vietnam or a train in India then silk is also great for you. It folds up into such a small space in your bag that you‘ll have plenty of room to bring your holiday shopping home and you’ll look exceedingly stylish ordering cocktails by the pool in your silk kaftan or cover up or swanning into the bar in your silk pants and a sexy singlet or t-shirt.

Regardless of your preferred style of travel, I’d love to hear your tips for easy travel packing. Make sure to leave your comments below.

The only safeguards are the following:

Wash on a gentle cycle on your washing machine

Keep the temperature to 40C

Do not use an enzymatic or alkaline soap. I recomend a gentle soap, mild shampoo or a wool wash product. After all silk is a protein so you do not want to destroy this property and subsequent benefits.

Handwashing though takes no time at all especially as you do not have to wash silk as often as you do other fabrics as silk naturally repels soil and dirt

You do need to iron and once again I have tried it with a hot iron and even with steam. You only have problems when you use a hot iron with polyester or nylon. It is surprising how much heat silk can take.

I do hope this helps those of you who love the feeling of silk next to your skin and also the benefits of it. Silk pillowcases makes your hair glide over the pillow and eliminates bed hair and facial wrinkles.

I would love to hear your stories on silk pillowcases.

Fibres such as  cotton require large amount of water, pesticides etc but bamboo being drought and flood tolerant is by comparison low-maintenance and doesn’t require costly and damaging pesticides to grow it. Bamboo has natural anti-bacterial and anti microbial properties that make it unattractive to pests.  Also when it is manufactured into bamboo fabric these properties persist. A Japanese company conducted testing on bamboo fabric  showed these properties were still evident even after 50+ washes. This attribute assists with  people who suffer from body odour.

Bamboo fabric is soft like silk and is used amongst other things for babies nappies, towels and clothing. It is very durable though and can be washed frequently usually on a delicate cycle in your washing machine. It can wick moisture from your skin, is fast-drying  and offers natural UV-protection ensuring it is a versatile fabric for everyone. This eco friendly natural fabric is cool for those hot summer months but  warm and snug when the cooler season begins. It is also a perfect fabric for people who have very sensitive skin and are hypoallergenic.

SILK

Silk. Whisper the word slowly so the lips pout,

but not quite kiss. Silk. No other sound

allows the tongue to rhythmically undulate,

until the top of its tip barely touches the front

palette. Silk. A child would laugh with delight

at a silk scarf’s ripple. It reflects and flicks

light all along its shimmering length.

Sages mystically wrote that silk worn

near naked flesh was armour for a soul that is hurt.

It must be so. They said each thread was spun rays

of moon and sun. Implicitly yin and yang.

***

Imagine an erotic glimpse of pale smooth skin,

enfolded by dark layers, flashing colours.

Such a sight aroused even a jaded Asiatic potentate

to select a concubine and honour her forever

with exotic carved jewel flowers.

***

A silk scarf over denims or dungarees

evokes an innovator, or perhaps a revolutionary.

***

The embroidered stole of a Byzantine Empress

empowered her to rule with authority ranks

of scheming eunuchs, and defy ecclesiastics’ anathemas.

***

A petit Russian Contessa, teasing with just a little décolletage

her muscled officer lovers to stand to attention.

***

Silk gives dignity, and yet suggests

the mysterious revelation of a sensual secret.

Diaphanous silk reveals the spiritual,

woven through the physical.

***

Whisper, “Silk”. Such a soft word is a caress -

and hints at its reality. Silk. Slip out of your dress. Let it rustle

as it falls to the floor. And as the illusion of the colours hover, step out of it.

And walk to your lover.

D. Wansbrough                             Sydney, Australia 2010

Now I appreciate there is not much out there for men in the silk department as previously there was not much demand.  I even conducted a google search for a male customer of mine and couldn’t find much out in cyberspace and most was for satin not silk. I would like to know just what the demand is so I can get some sleepwear manufactured but need to know a couple of things first. Just how many men want silk sleepwear and secondly what kind of style do they want, ie long or short silk pj’s (Pyjamas)  a nightshirt or just silk singlets, silk underpants and silk socks?.If there is anyone out there who can assist me in this research I would love to know.

If I get a vey favourable response I am happy to get some items made and if contributors want to provide me with their details and colour preference that would be helpful too.

Generally if you look after silk it will last for years. I have a silk nightie that I have been wearing for more than 5 years now and it is still in good condition. Sometimes when the lustre fades I add a capful of white vinegar to the rinse water and it restores this property. Many people would have purchased several nighties made of other fabrics over 5 years so it is very cost effective.

Also silk is not difficult to look after. Firstly silk naturally repels soil and does not absorb body odours so evident in man made fabrics. This means it does not have to be washed often. In fact the older generation who knew a thing or two about silk would tell you ” silk only needs to be aired”.  This is a great time saving tip especially for those of us who are very time poor.

Silk is luxurious, comfortable,  absorbant, drapes beautifully and can be dyed in many bright colours. Silk fibre is stronger than a steel filament and is also moth and mildew resistant. It is perfect for those of us who have  skin allergies and just makes us feel a million dollars wearing it. Really don’t we all deserve to wear silk sleepwear and leisurewear? or if money really is tight then a silk scarf around your neck should do the trick.

But I remember the first time I came across the term silk and it was when I was harnessed to one as a parachute. To be quite honest I really am unsure if it was silk or just called silk, but regardless of that it did keep me suspended when I needed it most, floating down to what was almost terra firma on my first parachute jump. I completed this foolhardy escapade in a country then known as Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). They were in the midst of a civil war so safety standards were  somewhat abridged.

Yes I was one of those foolish people who innocently wondered out loud about what it would be like to jump out of a plane. Well before I knew it I was completing  a quick weekend course, that really involved showing you how to deflect your weight when you landed.  I was then off in an old Cessna circling the skies to gain height for this anticipated adrenalin rush.

I had asked my trainer how long it would take me to land and he said around 3 minutes or 17 seconds if my chute failed to open. Well after such inspiring words I was off, wearing I might add all the blokes socks, boots and overalls as they didn’t cater for women in those days. I forgot to tell them that I wore glasses and was unable to spot the arrow in the sandpit 3000 feet up that pointed to the wind direction (which was used to brake your speed).

Needless to say after a few hair raising moments and thinking I could spot this pit I toggled over only to be hit by a foul smell. Yes I had virtually landed in a sewage evaporation pond. Fortunately my chute became entangled in some nearby trees which saved my complete immersion into the cesspot but I was badly shaken and received a lot of reassurance (mirth) from all the local kids in the area who really thought the whole thing very amusing.

So yes this is what came into my mind first when asked about my first contact with silk. Please feel free to share your own experiences of silk with me.