Silk Twill

Silk Twill Dresses and Blouses with a Soft, Structured Drape

The Silk Twill collection brings together SILKSILKY dresses and blouses in 18 momme mulberry silk, all tagged Silk Twill. Most of their product pages also describe the fabric as twill or a twill-family weave. Twill silk has a fine diagonal grain and a quieter sheen than glossy satin, with enough body to hold the shape of a drawstring waist, a split neckline or a self-tie belt. It suits daytime outfits that should look polished without looking dressy, from lunches and errands to travel days and evenings out.

How Twill Differs from Charmeuse

Charmeuse, the satin weave used for much silk sleepwear, has a liquid drape and a bright, mirror-like face. Twill is woven so the threads form a diagonal line across the cloth. The result reads more matte and textured, holds a crease or gather more readily, and sits slightly away from the body instead of clinging. If you love the look of silk but want a piece that feels more like day clothing, twill is a good place to start.

Dresses: Choose the Shape for Your Day

There are three dresses, and each one is shaped at the waist in a different way. The sleeveless midi has a crew neck, a zipper and an adjustable self-tie waist. The Henley-neck short dress has dolman cap sleeves, an elastic waist with a drawstring and side pockets. The sleeveless short dress has a stand collar, a button front, a drawstring drop waist and a ruffle hem. Look at where the waist sits and how it adjusts, because that shapes how the dress falls on you. For more silhouettes in other silk weaves, browse silk dresses.

Blouses: A Daytime Silk Layer

The long-sleeve blouse has a split neckline, a button front and drawstring detail in a regular fit, and it comes in dark blue, black and white. The blouse tucks into trousers or a skirt, or wears loose over slim pants. If you want more shirt styles to compare, see silk shirts and blouses.

Wearing Twill in Warm and Cool Weather

• Warm weather — Wear the sleeveless dresses on their own with sandals, or the blouse loose over cropped trousers.
• Cool weather — Put a blazer or a fine-knit cardigan over a sleeveless dress, add tights and ankle boots to a short style, and wear the blouse under a jacket or over a knit.

Check Measurements and Product Terms

Sizes run from S (6) to L (12) or XL (14), depending on the style, and each listing gives measurements such as bust, shoulder and length. These are measured by hand and can vary by a centimeter or two, so compare them with a dress or blouse you already wear. The listings also give the model's height and the size she wears, which is size S on all four pieces. If you are shorter than the model, expect a midi or a short dress to fall a little lower on you. In size S, for example, the midi dress is listed at 133 cm (52.4") long, and the model wearing it is 173 cm tall. Two of the dresses in this collection are clearance styles with "Clearance" in the product name. They are Final Sale and cannot be returned or exchanged, so read the chart with extra care, or compare them with other pieces in Final Sale.

Caring for Silk Twill

If you iron twill, turn the piece inside out, use the lowest setting with a pressing cloth while the silk is slightly damp, and keep the iron moving. Avoid direct steam, which can leave water spots. For washing, our silk care guide calls for water no warmer than 35°C (95°F), a silk detergent and a gentle press rather than rubbing or wringing, then drying inside out in the shade. Hang dresses and the blouse on a padded hanger rather than a sharp hook, and spray perfume before you dress, not onto the silk.