What is Satin? A Fashion Lover’s Guide to Satin Fabric

- January 14, 2019

Satin Definition

So, what is Satin? First and foremost, it is not a raw material. Satin is a type of weave, constructed by floating several warp yarns across the weft before going under 1 weft thread, and beginning the cycle again. Having fewer interlaces leads to the smooth, lustrous surface we all know and love.

Satin weave is a more complex weave as the arrangement of warp and weft threads are staggered due to the step number. Unlike a Twill weave, where the weft intersections move to the next parallel warp on the following row, Satin weave structures move the weft intersection across at least 1 warp thread before beginning the cycle again.

What is Satin Made From?

It depends if you’re a purist or not. If you’re producing a satin weave using filament fibres such as silk, nylon or polyester, then your resulting fabric is a Satin. However, there’s some definitions that insist a Satin fabric can only be made from silk. Now it can get a little confusing......

Difference Between Silk & Satin

As discussed, Satin is a type of weave and not a material, whereas Silk is a raw material produced by silk worms that is used to make fabric. You can use silk to make Satin, as the word Satin is merely referring to the type of weave structure. Silk Satin fabric is a more expensive type of Satin, so if you’re looking to mass produce clothing or furnishings at an affordable rate, you can make Satin using polyester, nylon, rayon, or wool. Despite what you may think, Silk Satin will still have the matte, dull reverse typical of any Satin fabric.

Satin Fabric Origins

The word ‘Satin’ actually comes from ‘Zaitun’, the Arabic name for the Chinese port Quanzhou, where this weave first originated over 2,000 years ago. At the time, the cultivation of silk was widespread, so even peasant women used silk to master the craft of satin weaving, and silk clothing was not restricted to upper classes. However, China’s closely guarded satin secret eventually spread across Asia and further west.

In the 12^th century, Italy became the first western country to produce satin, and by the 14^th century, it became available all throughout Europe. However, using silk made the fabric costly so it was reserved for aristocracy, the church and upper classes.

What is Satin Used For?

Historically, satin was a desired fabric for upholstery, with Louis XIV using it to cover his ornate furniture in the Palace of Versailles. It was not commonly used for dressmaking until the 1800s, but soon became sought after for a luxury, ‘one time only’ evening gown amongst women of upper and working classes. The 19th century also saw satin adorn the nude bodies of fashionable Parisian women in the form of sexy lingerie. Once attributed to prostitutes in the French capital, satin experienced normalisation through journalism and advertising, which promoted the notion that luxurious underwear is important. Fast-forward to the 21^st century and satin is a widely available fabric that’s mainly used for apparel, upholstery and bedding. And what’s important is that it’s still retained its association with luxury. Some common uses for satin fabric include, but are not limited to; evening gowns, shirts, corsets, underwear, inner lining, wedding dresses, loungewear, hats and ties.