I’ve come across quite a few silk dresses I’d like to have in my closet lately; many that are featured at some of my favorite eco-boutiques – but I wonder, why is silk considered an eco-friendly fabric? Should it be?
The most comprehensive article I found about the issue was written in 2007 for OrganicClothingBlogs.com and is definitely worth a read, but I’ll try to narrow it down to a few issues:
- Silk is sustainable – the moths can be raised on farms and collected in the wild and according to the authors:
silk fabric when produced by weavers on handlooms has a near zero energy footprint and satisfies most of the guidelines for sustainable fabric production
- If you’re a vegan, you wouldn’t want to wear silk that was not produced “ethically;” look for peace silk or wild silk. It’s not pretty what traditional silk manufacturers do to the moths to get them out of their cocoons without damaging the silk (they gas or boil them).
- If you’re looking for organic, and a “healthier” end-result, look for raw silk, which is pure silk fibers without any chemicals or treatments added, and even sometimes taken from cocoons that have been abandoned already by the moth.
- handloomed silks are the most energy neutral option
- silk is biodegradable
As usual, I encourage you to look at the whole picture when considering whatever you buy (consider where the final garment is produced, under what conditions, the ethics of the company & designer…) – and don’t be afraid to inquire with the designers to learn more about where they get their silk and how it’s processed, whether it’s raw, or peace silk, etc. Honestly, it’s unclear how silk stacks up to conventional cotton, although silk does not require as much water or chemical pesticides to “grow” than cotton, it IS chemically processed under most circumstances, and the working conditions under which it’s woven can be bad, and the living conditions around the garment factories unhealthy.
Right now, this is my favorite silk option (thanks to shiny squirrel for featuring Bahlo today 
)
This dress by Bahlo is 100% Matka Silk, which is raw silk and seems to be obtained from the cocoon AFTER the moth leaves (the story continues with her being crushed to death after laying eggs though…). The dress is then garment produced by Thanapara Swallows, a Fair Trade organisation that provides work for over 200 women in rural Bangladesh, and profits help cover the costs of the village school for 300 children. That makes me feel a bit better about the poor moths.
what do you think? Will you buy silk? Do you believe that it’s an eco-friendlier option?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Grechen,
I’m completely with you on this! Looking at the whole picture is imperative. As the buyer for GWG, I now stay away from silk ALMOST always (though we have recently bought 2 handbag style with “hemp/silk” lining). We do have some pieces from seasons past that are also hemp/silk, but I won’t consider anything but “Peace” silk (kind of pricey!) anymore. Matka silk is new to me… THANK YOU for schooling us as to it’s existence. Love that Bahlo dress!
Grechen, Thanks for let us on the scoop on silk-I aways wondered since some people it is eco friendly and others think chemicals go into making silk. My fav though is organic cotton- I am a organic cotton fashionista>love it. Your blog is always full of Aha’s-Thanks
No I wouldnt buy silk for several reasons. 1) I’m a vegan who strives not to use any animal products regardless of how they were obtained. 2) “ethically” obtained animal products (whatever that may mean) encourage usage of those animal products, which often are not “ethically” obtained (most people will not be able to afford such specific labels anyway) I would prefer to steer our fashion needs as far away from animal world as possible. 3. I dont really need silk in my wardrobe. We are not talking about basic needs here. I’m honestly fine without it. 4) I dont have to worry whether cacoons were really empty when they were harvested by the workers who might or might not share my concern for the wellbeing of the creatures that live in them.
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