![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/178/108/77146883.jpg)
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Getty Images
Artificial silk refers to synthetic materials such as rayon that blend both natural and man-made fibers. Mimicking much pricier real silk, artificial silk fabric may be used to make a number of garments and is a more budget-friendly substitute for silk. Understanding more about the synthetic fabric allows you to determine when to opt for the artificial variety and when to purchase real silk.
Purpose
Synthetic silk fabrics often blend with other textiles, including cotton, wool and even real silk. Artificial silk -- both alone and as a woven blend -- is a popular material in fashion. Many garments incorporate artificial silk: dresses, blouses, scarves and lingerie for women, as well as some shirts and undergarments for men.
Pros and Cons
Artificial silk is appealing not just because of its low price. Because it's synthetic, the material is more durable when dry than real silk. Artificial silk's smooth feel makes it comfortable against the skin. Additionally, this smoothness also means dirt does not cling to the material. However, artificial silk requires special care when laundered, as it has the potential to lose its strength or swell, which can damage the appearance of the article of clothing.
Related Articles
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/240/102/178526169.jpg)
About Polyester Cotton Blend
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/178/0/89585334.jpg)
Denim vs. Denim Blends
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/240/130/72131250.jpg)
Fabrics Similar in Weight to Taffeta
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/162/70/fotolia_5079925_XS.jpg)
What Is the Difference Between Lycra ...
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/cpi.studiod.com/www_ehow_com/photos.demandstudios.com/49/60/fotolia_3179821_XS.jpg)
What Is Arnel Vintage Material Fabric?
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/contentlab.studiod/getty/cache.gettyimages.com/fa68c151dab549fbb1fcce8351c21d64.jpg)
Characteristics of Polyester & Cotton
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/110/251/86542462.jpg)
How to Freeze Tzatziki
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/178/48/87671736.jpg)
How to Shrink Acrylic Garments
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/151/151/86489371.jpg)
Different Kinds of Chiffon Fabric
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/contentlab.studiod/getty/cache.gettyimages.com/9cb9e256fbda4c16a9d8668aac97b2cd.jpg)
How to Remove Tape Glue From Silk
What Is the Difference Between Acrylic ...
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/contentlab.studiod/getty/cache.gettyimages.com/8de576cc3896447ab0c2ec27e86f25f6.jpg)
The Advantages of Polyester Cotton
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/152/177/503541278.jpg)
How to Avoid Stretching out Acrylic ...
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/34/153/80402737.jpg)
Microfiber vs. Cotton Clothes
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/142/245/87725770.jpg)
How to Remove Body Odor From Silk & ...
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/236/121/stk319165rkn.jpg)
Polyester Vs. Silk Dresses
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/cpi.studiod.com/getty/7e69173a9a17a3a52617e409a6b3fc1f.jpg)
How to Shrink Flannels
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/68/126/459292899.jpg)
How to Tell the Difference Between Silk ...
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/108/120/478088045.jpg)
How to Wash an Acrylic & Viscose Scarf
![Hispanic couple dancing in eveningwear](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/100/111/134120082.jpg)
What Are Twill Pants?
References
Writer Bio
Barbie Carpenter worked as a technical writer and editor in the defense industry for six years. She also served as a newspaper feature page editor and nationally syndicated columnist for the Hearst Corp. Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Florida and a graduate certificate in professional writing from the University of Central Florida.
Photo Credits
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Getty Images