Silk accessories can be enjoyed for years to come with a little care and attention

A smooth touch and a lustrous appearance. Silk has a refined quality that no other material can match.

Even if you tend to think silk seems difficult to handle, accessories are an easy way to try it out. Based on the experience of a staff member who recently started using silk accessories, we explore the characteristics of silk accessories and the key points for enjoying them over the long term.

The surprising qualities of silk our staff discovered

Silk Twill Scarf / ROOM / the PORT

Silk accessory enthusiast: Staff member S

When choosing fabric items, Staff member S has mainly chosen natural materials such as cotton and linen. She says she has valued these materials for their comfortable feel and ease of care at home, but lately, silk has caught her attention.

As I picked up the silk items featured on ZUTTO, I started to think silk might be nice—just having one piece really elevates your look. Since I usually dress casually, I held off on silk items, worried they'd feel out of place in my outfits, but now that I'm older, I've come to feel that smaller items could work, and lately I've become a fan of silk scarves and 000 (Triple O) silk bracelets.

First, once I started using the silk scarf, I was surprised by how pleasant it felt against my skin. Since silk absorbs moisture and releases it well, it stays dry and comfortable even if you sweat. It also has antibacterial properties, which apparently gives it a deodorizing effect too. I also like cotton stoles, but I used to worry about odor when I sweated, so I feel this is exactly the kind of benefit that's unique to silk.​

MANTERO Silk Scarf (46×46) / MANTERO

With classic silk scarves, many of them feature distinctive designs, so making the scarf itself the centerpiece by showing off its pattern takes a bit of courage. But I think an easier approach for beginners is to wear it subtly—for example, letting a small size peek out just slightly at the neckline, or using it as an accent on a bag handle.

For example, the MANTERO Silk Scarf (46×46) I introduced earlier has a pattern of vividly colored tulips lined up, and when spread out it's quite bold, but when folded compactly and thin and tied snugly onto a bag, the boldness settles down and blends nicely with the whole outfit. My usual bag took on a slightly different atmosphere. Even though it's such a small item, it makes everything look noticeably more refined, so I often use it this way myself.

Sphere Silk Lariat / 000 (Triple O)

This is a silk lariat by 000 (Triple O). Small spheres of silk thread in varying sizes are strung together like beads on a rosary. These spheres are packed solid with thread all the way through, made by embroidering over and over again, countless times. The delicate silk threads layer together to create a beautiful sheen and depth of shadow. It's an accessory that lets you feel the beautiful texture of silk.

The silk lariat has a loop made of metallic thread attached to the spheres, allowing it to be fastened at whatever size you like. You can bring the loop to the front and wear it so the whole piece forms a Y-shape, or shift the loop's position to the side of your neck or around to the back for a stylish look. It offers ways to enjoy it that a regular necklace doesn't, making it a silk accessory that's easy to incorporate into everyday wear.

Related to the dry, smooth feel I mentioned earlier, I'd also say silk is gentle on the skin. I really felt this when using the 000 (Triple O) bracelet—the sensation against my skin is gentle, above all else.

Bracelet OVAL SILK / 000 (Triple O)

I like accessories and wear them often, but depending on my condition, metal pieces or types that fit tightly against the skin can sometimes cause irritation, making them uncomfortable to wear. But with silk accessories, there's no need to worry about that. It's so light that it almost feels like you're not wearing anything at all, gently resting against your skin.

Also, while there's a strong image of "silk being delicate," this isn't necessarily a major concern depending on the item. In the case of 000 (triple-O) bracelets, the threads are condensed to a surprising degree. This is partly a testament to 000 (triple-O)'s skill in repeatedly embroidering and adjusting the sewing machine to keep the shape neat, but when the weave is this tightly condensed, there's no need to worry about it breaking from something like a light tug when putting it on or taking it off. So there's no need to assume it's difficult simply because it's silk—once you actually use it, you may find it's a surprisingly convenient material.

Caring for Silk at Home

Silk's antibacterial properties are said to also give it deodorizing and odor-preventing effects. Because of this, it's not a material that needs washing right after a single use. However, since friction can cause the shape to lose its form, and washing with water can lead to staining, many silk items recommend dry cleaning rather than washing at home. For this reason, we generally recommend following the care instructions on the garment's label.

So how should you care for silk items that can be hand-washed at home? This time, our staff tried washing a silk scarf they own.

Basic points to know when washing silk items:

・Don't use a washing machine—hand wash instead. It's important to work quickly.

・Test an inconspicuous area, such as the edge of the scarf, by dabbing a little water on it to check that the color doesn't run. If the color does run, the item cannot be washed at home.

・Since silk is vulnerable to friction, avoid rubbing or wringing it.

① Washing and Rinsing with Neutral Detergent

The detergent you use should be neutral. Choose a delicate detergent made for wool and silk items. Fill a washbasin or similar container with water to lukewarm water, and add a small amount of neutral detergent.

※Please be careful, as hot water can damage the fabric.

Then swirl the water with the detergent around to create suds.

Submerge the scarf in the water. Once it's soaked so the detergent reaches the entire fabric and between the threads, wash it by swishing it side to side in the direction of the arrow, or by gently pressing down from above.

After repeating this several times, change the water and rinse in the same manner. Rinse thoroughly until no more suds appear.

※Please do not rub the fabric against itself.

② Removing Excess Water

Once you've finished rinsing, gently squeeze the scarf to remove excess water. At this point, do not twist the fabric.

Next, remove the remaining moisture. Spread the scarf out on a large bath towel, then roll it up so the towel and scarf alternate (so the scarf doesn't overlap with itself). Once rolled, press down gently from above to absorb the moisture.

③ Drying

Once the moisture has been removed, hang the scarf to dry in a shaded spot out of direct sunlight. At this stage, dry it in its natural state without using clothespins or similar items. The entire process up to this point takes about 10 minutes. The key is to keep it brief so as not to put stress on the fabric.

After Washing

Since silk scarves are thin, they dry relatively quickly even in the shade. Looking at the scarf after drying, the slightly smooth, silky texture felt somewhat diminished, but the sheen remained intact. The shrinkage from before washing was only about 2mm, which is within a margin of error and well within acceptable range. Since natural drying tends to leave wrinkles noticeable, it seems best to finish with ironing according to the care label.

Silk has long been celebrated as "the most beautiful fiber." Its comfort is something you can truly appreciate by touching and using it. Small accessories that are easy to incorporate into daily wear pair well with clothes you already own, and are also easy to care for. Why not embrace this refined material and enjoy an elevated style?

▽A wide variety of brands all in one place. If you're looking for silk scarves, start here

▽Hand-embroidered silk accessories: 000 (triple-O)