The Best Silk Bedding UK (2024)

Silk bedding has become increasingly popular in recent years - and for good reason.

It hosts a plethora of benefits that will leave you sleeping cooler and more comfortably, with fewer allergies and added beauty bonuses. ✨

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of silk bedding and why you might consider investing in some silk bed covers.

Silk boasts numerous beauty benefits

Silk bedding, with its luxuriously soft feel, offers more than just an indulgent sleeping experience.

In fact, one of its standout qualities is its beauty-enhancing benefits.

And who would say no to that?

Silk’s naturally smooth surface reduces friction, which is beneficial for both skin and hair.

While cotton may tug and create those unwanted “sleep creases ^[2]”, leaving you to wake up looking like a Shar Pei puppy, silk’s gentle texture can actually prevent such friction-induced wrinkles.

And if you’re someone who spends a fair bit of time (and money) on expensive lotions and potions, silk won’t gobble up all the goodness like cotton does, so your skin gets all the benefits.

Silk is also a game-changer for bad hair days.

Traditional cotton can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage.

In contrast, silk is kinder on your locks and doesn’t rob your hair of its natural oils, minimising frizz and reducing the chance of tangles and breakages. 🧑‍🦱

You’ll definitely enjoy these benefits by simply investing in a silk pillowcase, but if you’re a notorious in-bed breakdancer, you’ll see more benefits from investing in an entire silk bed set.

If you're going all out, something like the LilySilk 22 Momme Silk Bedding set has everything you need.

BUY LILYSILK BEDDING SET£ 514

Silk is great for hot sleepers

Silk also holds unique temperature-regulating properties that make it particularly beneficial for hot sleepers.

Composed of natural proteins, silk exhibits an impressive ability to wick away moisture from the body.

This ensures that even hot, sweaty sleepers can remain dry and more comfortable throughout the night.

Silk is also very breathable, which aids in body temperature regulation.

Unlike some synthetic materials that trap heat, silk releases heat during warmer nights while simultaneously retaining heat during colder nights.

This dual action results in a win-win situation, ensuring that sleepers are consistently comfortable, regardless of seasonal changes. 🍁🌼

Silk is hypoallergenic

Silk is naturally resistant to common allergens like dust mites, mould, and fungus, which makes it a cleaner and more allergen-free sleep surface.

The smooth and closely woven fibres of silk also prevent particles and potential irritants from becoming embedded in the fabric, which is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin and respiratory concerns.

Many dermatologists ^[3] even recommend pure silk pillowcases to those battling acne or individuals with sensitive skin.

If you want to skip the whole bedding range and just get some silk pillowcases, we'd recommend opting for the Alaska Bear 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase.

Available on Amazon with free delivery and a budget-friendly price tag, this is one of the silkiest pillowcases we've tried.

BUY ALASKA BEAR SILK PILLOWCASE£ 19.99

Silk is very durable

One of silk’s other remarkable attributes is its exceptional durability.

The initial investment in a high-quality silk bedding set might be on the higher end, but it promises value for money in the long run.

When properly cared for, silk showcases a tensile strength akin to steel wire, enabling it to endure years of regular use while resisting wear and tear.

The long-lasting nature of silk also offers an environmentally-conscious edge. 🌱

Purchasing durable products reduces the frequency of replacements - this, in turn, diminishes the environmental footprint associated with frequent purchases.

So, while you may be spending over a thousand pounds on a Mayfairsilk bedding set, it's likely that this will be the last bedding set you'll need to buy.

BUY MAYFAIRSILK BEDDING SET£ 1,061

Not all silk is created equal - especially in a world where we can fall victim to marketing gimmicks, promoting sultry sheets that are actually made from polyester and not real silk. 📺

So here are a few tips and tricks to guide you when choosing the best silk bedding set.

Different types of silk

Silk and satin are terms often thrown around interchangeably, but these aren’t actually the same thing.

Silk is a natural fibre, while satin refers to how the material is woven.

Not all satin sheets are made from silk.

In fact, many are crafted from synthetic polyester fibres, which are budget-friendly and not as delicate as silk, but they also lack that iconic luxury touch and the inherent cooling properties of pure silk. 😱

So the first thing you need to look out for is whether or not the product you’re considering is actually made from real silk.

You’ll likely find a range of different types of silk, including 100% silk, mulberry silk, silk charmeuse, silk satin, silk chiffon, or silk crepe.

Of these, 100% silk and mulberry silk refer to the actual materials, while many of the other silk descriptions simply refer to the various weaves.

Mulberry silk stands out as the crème de la crème - picture it as the silk world’s answer to Egyptian cotton.

Produced by the Bombyx mori ^[5] moth's silkworms that dine solely on mulberry leaves, this silk boasts a smooth, lustrous finish that’s renowned for its quality and elegance. ⭐️

All our top silk recommendations, like the luxurious LilySilk seamless silk bedding set, are made of 100% mulberry silk.

BUY LILYSILK BEDDING SET£ 514

But how do you decide which mulberry silk is worth buying?

Let’s take a closer look at deciphering the quality measurements of real silk.

Silk quality

There are a couple of things to look out for when purchasing mulberry silk, including grade, momme, thread count, and weave.

Silk grading system

The grading system for silk is stringent, with Grade A being a marker of exceptional quality. 🏆

Within this category, the highest accolade goes to Grade 6A.

This symbolises the pinnacle of silk perfection, indicating immaculate cleanliness, uniform strand length, and evenness.

Mayfairsilk bedding is of 6A quality.

BUY MAYFAIRSILK BEDDING SET£ 1,061

Momme and thread count

Another factor to consider is the “momme”, which, simply put, indicates the silk’s weight and density. 🏋️

Momme is used with silk, similarly to how thread count is used for cotton sheets.

For silk bedding, a higher momme count generally indicates a more luxurious, durable, and opaque fabric.

We’d recommend aiming for a momme count of between 19 and 25, which ensures that the bedding is sufficiently robust to withstand regular use yet remains smooth and lustrous.

Sometimes, different mommes will be combined in one set.

For example, the Mayfairsilk bed linen set includes two pillowcases of 25 momme and a duvet cover and fitted sheet of 22 momme.

BUY MAYFAIRSILK BEDDING SET£ 1,061

Actual thread count is less important with silk bedding, but for those who still wish to factor this in, aiming for a count of at least 300 is advisable.

Premium retailers might even offer silk bedding with counts reaching 600 or 800, ensuring an ultra-smooth texture.

But always consider thread count together with momme, which will be a more reliable indicator of silk quality. ✅

Weave

Silk’s weave plays a pivotal role in determining the bedding’s overall feel and appearance.

Two common weaves associated with silk bedding are charmeuse and satin.

• A charmeuse weave boasts a unique combination of a shiny front and a matte back, resulting in a fabric that is lightweight, silky, and perfect for those who love the natural sheen of silk.
• The satin weave offers a slightly heavier feel with a glossy finish that exudes opulence.

Both these weaves are celebrated for their smooth textures and luxurious appearances, ensuring that your bedding isn’t just comfortable but also visually stunning. 😍

The weaves can be applied to other materials for a smoother finish, so be aware of this when you see something labelled as charmeuse or satin.

The Ethical Bedding eucalyptus silk set, for example, uses a satin weave on eucalyptus fibres to create more of that silk-like feel.

Silk is a fine natural fibre created by silkworms, particularly the larva of the domestic silk moth, Bombyx mori. 🐛

These worms form cocoons by spinning a continuous filament that hardens in air, which, paired with a sticky substance called sericin ^[6], protects the worm as it transforms.

To retrieve the silk, cocoons are softened in hot water or steam, which also stops the pupa from becoming a moth and breaking the threads.

The softened silk is then unwound, and multiple filaments are combined to form raw silk threads.

​

These are later twisted, dyed, and woven into the luxurious fabric known and loved globally.

The whole production, from breeding to weaving, requires precision and expertise, underlining silk's historic prestige.

If the silk-making process is a deterrent, we'd recommend opting for something like Ahimsa/Peace silk, which is very expensive, or eucalyptus silk, a vegan- and more budget-friendly alternative.

In addition to silk bed sheets, silk duvet covers, and silk pillowcases, you're likely to find a few other sleep-related silk products. 😴

Popular options include silk nightwear or pyjamas and silk eye masks.

Take a look at a few of our most-loved options below.