We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Fashion

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Satin?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 131,649
Share

Satin is a type of textile weave that makes a glossy fabric. Though this method is most classically used with silk thread, it can also be used with other materials like polyester, acetate, nylon, and rayon. There are several different variations on this weave, notably sateen. Despite the fact that it's a method for making fabric, the term "satin" is also used as a descriptor to refer to specific types of fabric.

A Specific Pattern

To be considered a true satin, a fabric must be woven in a very specific manner. The material must have at least four threads brought to the surface of the fabric to "float" over a single thread running perpendicularly to them. The threads on the top are called warp strands, which run vertically, while the one on the bottom is called a weft strand, which runs horizontally. This process is called floating, and allows large portions of thread to reflect light, which makes the fabric shiny and glossy on one side. Some types, called double-faced satins, are made to be shiny on both sides by using two sets of warp strands.

Different Types

Fabrics made with this weave can vary in terms of texture and appearance according to the type of thread used and variations in the weave pattern. For instance, a fabric made with a mixture of silk and rayon is sometimes called duchesse. There are also several materials that are made with one weave or material on the back and another on the front, including Canton satin, which has a crepe weave on the back, and slipper satin, which has cotton on the back. There is also ciré satin, which is treated with a coating of wax to make it extremely shiny. This process also makes it stiff, which makes it good for use in ribbons.

Another common variation is charmeuse, which is made with one warp strand passing over at least three weft strands. A few other variations on the weave are sateen and satinet. Sateen is woven similarly, but has the opposite set of threads on top — satin has the warp threads floating, but sateen has the weft threads floating. It is also more commonly made from cotton or rayon than from silk. Satinet is a very thin material that's usually made of inferior materials, usually cotton or synthetic threads.

Uses

These fabrics are used to make a wide variety of materials, but are most commonly found in formal dresses, bedding, and lingerie. Satin-weave fabrics made with synthetic fibers can also be used to back other things like wool crepe and velvet, eliminating the need for a slip, camisole, or undershirt. Additionally, people use these fabrics for formal shoes and slippers. In this case, the fabric is sometimes dyed to match the rest of an outfit, particularly for a prom or wedding. Variations on the fabric are also used on ballet shoes.

Compared to Other Weaves

Satin is one of the three main types of weaves in textile making, which also includes plain and twill weaves. A plain weave consists of warp and weft threads alternatively overlapping and going under each other, while a twill weave floats at least three warp threads per weft. Though its construction makes this fabric the smoothest and most durable of all three, it is also the most likely to shrink if treated improperly, and it stretches very little. It also resists wrinkling and generally drapes the best of any of the weaves. The extent to which any of these properties are present in a fabric depends on the tightness of the weave, and sometimes on the materials used.

Cleaning

The safest bet when cleaning these fabrics is to dry clean them, particularly those made with very fine materials or lots of floating threads. Less delicate items can usually be hand washed in cold water with a gentle detergent, though it's important not to wring them out to dry, since this can misshape them. There are products available specifically for cleaning satin shoes as well, though for light staining a damp cotton ball followed up by a dry cloth can often work.

Share
BeautyAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a BeautyAnswered contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.
Discussion Comments
By anon315811 — On Jan 25, 2013

What does "395 Satin Taiwan" mean? Does it reveal which material the satin is made from?

By anon169378 — On Apr 21, 2011

Is stretch satin the same/almost the same (quality, shine) as regular satin? Thanks!

By anon96902 — On Jul 17, 2010

what is the quality of 395 satin embroidery?

is it a real satin or something cheap?

By anon67372 — On Feb 24, 2010

what is the quality of 395 satin like? thanks

By anon45521 — On Sep 17, 2009

satin is a sexy material similar to silk and can be made from silk. there are hundreds of different types of satin. satinman

By cela — On Jan 16, 2009

what is satin 395? which satin is the best? thank you.

By anon22043 — On Nov 26, 2008

Satin 250DC is actually the grading of the satin (thickness and quality scale)

250 is the thickness in Smm (satin mm). The higher the number the better the quality and more expensive too.

DC is the grading based on AC, BC and DC. DC is the the minimum amount of contamination and 95%+ silk content. Hope this helps!

By anon21839 — On Nov 23, 2008

I have heard that satin should not be steam ironed: is this so? also, how do I press the seams of a satin dress (in construction) without the seam allowances leaving 'shape shadows' on the visible side? Advice very welcome!

By anon1843 — On Jun 18, 2007

what is satin 250 dc ?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a BeautyAnswered contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.beautyanswered.com/what-is-satin.htm
Copy this link
BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.