Silk Dresses

When we choose to put on a dress, one of the reasons we  consider when choosing it is the fabric. If it’s cold outside, we choose a thick heavy fabric. If it’s extremely hot, we reach for the lighter ones. If you’re going to a nice party, you slip on a fabric that’s more luxurious or shiny. Less expensive, more casual looking fabrics are perfect for everyday wear. Going to a summer night’s soiree? You most likely will- or should- reach for a silk dress.

A silk dress is, well, a dress constructed of silk, a light, protein, natural fiber. Silk is classified as a natural material as it is not manufactured by man-made materials. It comes from the silkworm, which is commonly found in China. Now  they are bred in captivity for the sole purpose of making silk, which is the fiber that they produce to spin their cocoons during their metamorphosis.

What is it about silk dresses that give them that lovely, shiny yet expensive looking sheen? This trait is due to the fact that the silk fiber is made up of triangle shaped prisms. This unique shape allows the light to bounce off the silk in a certain manner and angles that produces the shimmery look. The women’s wear company Von Vonni has spectacular dresses and skirts handcrafted from silk.

Because silk is not a man made fiber, it is obviously made into cloth by mankind. Therefore, the fabric is generally thin and very light. Silk dresses are perfect for the summertime and warmer months. When the sun is beating down and scorching hot, nobody wants to wear heavy or itchy fabrics. Silk is perfect as it is lightweight and airy.

Another reason that silk dresses are very popular in the summer is the fact that besides being thin, the material is very breathable. Unlike some fabrics, silk allows your skin to breathe, therefore you don’t sweat as much. It is a breathable fabric because it is a natural fiber.

Winter dresses are rarely made of silk, especially the more casual and daytime or work ones. It is not practical, for the manufacturer or the wearer, to produce/wear a dress made of silk in the winter, for the reasons stated above.

Because it is a natural fiber and the silk has to be “harvested” and the silkworms have to be grown and taken care of before any silk can be produced, it is not an inexpensive textile to weave. Silk dresses are not usually found at inexpensive retailers, as their clientele most likely would not be able to afford them and they don’t fit the stores price point.

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More expensive companies use silk to construct beautiful blouses, skirts, and most popular, the silk dress. There are many types of dresses. There are daytime ones, but most commonly silk is used for evening dresses. This is because the shimmering look of silk is very elegant and perfect for a nighttime look. Also, in general, women tend to spend more money on evening dresses then daytime ones, and favor them to be made of luxury fabrics, which silk is. Von Vonni offers several stunning evening gowns spun of silk.

The Gana Silk Maxi dress is the ultimate silk dress from Von Vonni. It has a relatively high wide scoop neck, and three quarter length sleeves. It is very dreamy and princess like, with a nipped in waist and a flowing swirly skirt. Constructed of a silk fabric with a pattern reminiscent of cherry blossoms in muted pastel pinks and whites, it is proper for any formal, even Red Carpet event. The back has a hint of sexiness, as it is slit show that a portion of your skin is visible.

Another popular silk dress from Von Vonni is the Samantha Blue Maggie dress. Constructed of silk printed liberally with oversize flowers in jewel colors, this dress is fun yet elegant. The drop waist is very trendy. The sleeveless style and scoop neck keep it from being too prim. The back of the skirt falls to the ground, while the front is a bit higher, making it a hi-low dress.

Silk dresses have been worn for hundreds and hundreds of years. Because in earlier history silk had to be imported, it was very expensive and worn only by royalty or those wealthy enough to afford it. Now it is much more accessible and affordable, yet still retains it’s luxury. Still, when you are wearing a lovely, floaty evening gown, it’s hard not to feel like Royalty yourself!