The Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Silk Fabrics at PureSilks

At Pure Silks, silk isn’t just a fabric, it's a legacy woven through threads of elegance, craftsmanship, and culture. With over  20,000+ fabrics in our collection, silk remains our best-selling and most-loved category across the globe.

Whether you're a costume maker, fashion designer, a boutique owner, or a fabric enthusiast if  looking to create something timeless, understanding the different types of silk fabrics can help you choose the right one for your next masterpiece.

Let us take you through the different types of silk fabrics and the best designs they're suited for so you can understand your fabrics better and bring your creative vision to life.

What are Raw Silks 

This is a natural fabric made from the cocoons of silkworms.

It goes through minimal processing, giving it a slightly rough texture, a soft matte finish, and a beautifully slight slubby look while still feeling smooth to the touch. We offer over 250 ready-to-ship colors, and the fabric is fully dyeable. Once dyed, it becomes even softer than its original state and can be customized to any color of your choice.

Best for: Skirt, dresses, blouses, semi-formal wear and pants. 

What is Silk Dupion ?

Silk Dupion is a slightly stiff and textured silk fabric with a soft shine.

It’s made by weaving smooth silk thread with a slubby thread from double cocoons, giving it a natural, uneven texture. We have 350+ ready-to-ship colors. This version is not dyeable, but we also offer a dyeable Silk Dupion option.

Best for: Gowns, blouses, costume and bridal wear.

What is Silk Taffeta ?

Silk Taffeta is made by tightly weaving silk threads using the plain weave technique.

This gives the fabric a slightly stiff feel and creates its signature “swish” sound when it moves. It’s a favorite among high-fashion designers for its elegant structure and the way it holds its shape beautifully.
We offer over 350 ready-to-ship colors in Silk Taffeta, but this fabric is not dyeable

Best for: Formal wear, blouses , gowns , costume and skirts 

What is Silk Tissue ?

Silk Tissue is a semi-transparent, lightweight, and delicate fabric much like tissue paper.

It is thin yet airy, giving it a soft, elegant feel. Silk Tissue is usually woven with Zari or metallic yarns along with fine silk threads, adding a subtle shimmer and enhancing its sheer texture.

Best for : Sarees, dupattas, overlays, and occasion wear.

What is Silk Satin? 

Satin Silk is a luxurious fabric made from pure silk.

For those who don’t know, satin is the weaving method, not the fiber itself. This weave gives the fabric its signature glossy front and matte back, along with a soft, flowing drape.

Best for: Dresses, Skirts, Pants, Blouse , Sarees, bridesmaid dress 

What is Silk Crepe ?

Silk Crepe is a lightweight, soft, and slightly textured silk fabric with a beautiful matte finish.

It is made from silkworm cocoons, spun into fine threads that are tightly twisted in opposite directions. This tension creates the fabric’s distinct crinkled texture. The process is known as the crepe weave technique, which uses highly twisted yarns to give the fabric its signature feel and graceful drape.

Best For:  Scarves, evening Wear, skirts, dresses & sarees

What is Silk Georgette ?

Silk Georgette is a lightweight, semi-sheer silk fabric made from tightly twisted silk yarns.

The threads are twisted in opposite directions (S and Z twist) both lengthwise and crosswise, which creates a natural tension. This unique process gives the fabric its pebbled texture and lightly crinkled finish, along with a soft, graceful drape.

Best For: Evening gowns, dupattas, blouses, layering, and flowy silhouettes.

What is Silk Chiffon ?

Silk Chiffon is a lightweight, sheer, and airy silk fabric known for its delicate texture and graceful drape.

It's made from tightly twisted silk yarns using a plain weave, which gives it a slightly rough, transparent finish and a soft, floaty feel. Silk Chiffon moves beautifully with the body. Though delicate in appearance, it has a strong yet fine structure, making it a favorite in high fashion and couture.

Best For : Sarees, dupattas, evening gowns, overlays, scarves, bridalwear, and flowy silhouettes.

What is Silk Organza?

Silk Organza is a sheer, crisp, and lightweight silk fabric known for its stiffness and structure.

It is made from tightly twisted silk yarns in a plain weave, which gives it a smooth surface with a slightly wiry feel. Even though it looks delicate it’s strong and holds its shape beautifully perfect for creating volume and definition in our designs.

Best For: Bridalwear, overlays, sarees, dupattas, lehengas & couture fashion.

What is Silk Velvet ?

Silk Velvet is a rich, luxurious fabric with a soft, plush texture and a deep, elegant sheen.

It’s made by weaving silk with a special technique that creates a short, dense pile on the surface  that’s what gives velvet its signature soft feel. Silk Velvet drapes beautifully, feels smooth against the skin, and has a glamorous, vintage look.

Best For: Eveningwear, jackets, blouses, lehengas, festive outfits, and winter bridalwear. 

What is Silk Matka ?

Silk Matka originates from India, where it is traditionally handwoven by local artisans.

It is made using silk yarns spun from pierced or damaged cocoons, giving the fabric a coarse, raw texture with a matte finish. Unlike smooth silks, Matka has an earthy, organic feel and a look similar to tweed but it's lighter and more breathable, making it ideal for elegant yet natural styles.

Best For : Jackets,  sarees, blouses, kurtas & dresses.

What is Silk Linen?

Silk Linen is a natural fabric blend made from silk and linen fibers.

It combines the softness and sheen of silk with the crispness and breathability of linen, giving you the best of both worlds. The texture is slightly textured but smooth, with a light body and a soft, graceful fall.

It’s comfortable, elegant, and perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions.

What is Silk Habotai ?

Silk Habotai is made from mulberry silk cocoons, spun into smooth, lightweight threads known for their soft quality.

These threads are woven using a plain weave, creating a fabric that is lightweight, smooth, slightly glossy, and has an even surface. Though the name “Habotai” is Japanese meaning “soft as down”, the fabric originated in China and is often referred to as “China silk.”

Best for : Kimono, linings, scarves, dresses, soft overlays, sarees, blouses, and lightweight summer wear.

What is Silk Tussar ? 
Silk Tussar is derived from the cocoons of wild silkworms, mainly found in the forests of India.

Unlike mulberry silk, these silkworms feed on forest leaves, which gives Tussar its distinct texture and character. The silk is spun into coarse yet rich yarns that are less processed, preserving their natural golden-beige tone and slightly uneven, raw finish. Woven on traditional handlooms, Tussar silk has a rustic texture with a natural sheen it is not overly glossy, but full of raw, earthy elegance.

Best For : Design that needs raw earthy charm, jackets, dupattas, kurtas, blouses, ethnic wear, and costumes 

What is Silk Jersey ?
Silk Jersey is a soft, stretchy, and lightweight knit fabric made from pure silk yarns.

It is created using a knitting technique that gives it natural elasticity and a smooth, fluid drape. It feels buttery-soft against the skin and has a gentle sheen, making it both comfortable and luxurious. It has a fluid drape and subtle sheen, with enough elasticity to create body-hugging or relaxed-fit garments.

Best for: Dresses, tops, travel wear, gowns, and modern draped silhouettes.

What is Silk Tulle ?
Silk Tulle is a fine, delicate net-like fabric made from pure silk, known for its softness and transparency.

It’s lightweight, airy, and far softer than synthetic tulle, making it ideal for gentle overlays and bridal accents.

Best for: Veils, overlays, gowns, sarees, bridal details, and couture accents.

What is Cotton Silk ?
Cotton Silk is a natural blend of cotton and silk fibers, combining the breathable comfort of cotton with the soft sheen of silk.

The fabric is lightweight, soft, and slightly glossy, making it suitable for both everyday wear and festive occasions.

Best for: Sarees, kurtas, dresses, blouses, and effortless ethnic or fusion outfits.

Each silk fabric has its own beauty, texture, and purpose. Use this guide to explore the types of silk we offer and check out our website www.puresilks.us to discover which one is perfect for your next creation.