The silk care guide

Never rub a stain on silk — blot it, and get the piece to a professional quickly. Water can mark silk permanently, perfume and deodorant should always go on before the garment, and direct sunlight will fade dyed silk faster than almost any other fibre.

Some plain silks tolerate careful cool hand-washing, but structured, lined, pleated or printed silk should be professionally cleaned. The risk isn't just shrinkage — it's water marks, dye movement and lost lustre that can't be recovered.

Silk should be pressed on the reverse, at low temperature, ideally slightly damp through a cloth. Store it hanging on padded hangers or folded with acid-free tissue — and always clean silk before long storage, because invisible marks yellow with time.