Introduction to men's silk socks
Are you looking for men's socks that allow you to have an elegant outfit like a true gentleman and offer you a chic touch to your look? A word of advice: don't underestimate silk !
A timeless classic, as well as being the noblest of natural fibers together with cashmere. Silk certainly cannot be missing from your wardrobe and almost always proves to be an excellent investment.
In addition to its best-known qualities such as shine and softness , silk is able to wrap your feet without leaving marks and giving your leg fluidity. It keeps the heat in winter and gives freshness in summer, allowing the skin to breathe.
But these are just some of the advantages of choosing men's silk socks. In this article we will talk about the long history of silk, how it is worked and which are the best types.
In this way you will have a complete picture and you will be able to choose the best solution for your outfit.
The history of silk stockings
A symbol of nobility and wealth, silk was for many years a privilege only for the few. Ancient Chinese emperors, priests and a few other social classes could afford to buy it.
The color of the silk garments offered a clear sign of the social class to which they belonged. For example, yellow was the color of emperor and empress; purple that of the emperor's women; the celestial the court officials.
In a short time, the production of silk allowed the Chinese economy to prosper to such an extent that in 1000 after Christ it began to be exported to the West as well. It also entered the Western Roman Empire and became one of the most important economic sectors of the Byzantine economy.
The famous "Silk Road" was precisely the route that from the Far East brought loads of precious silks to the other Middle Eastern, European and Egyptian kingdoms, also representing an important cultural crossroads between the Western and Eastern worlds.
But how did the processing of this noble fabric come about?
To answer this question we have to rely on the legend. In fact, it is said that the birth of sericulture was the work of the Chinese empress Xi Lin Shi . In one of her usual walks in the garden, the very young ruler noticed a strange caterpillar. It was spring and by touching it, a very thin and shiny thread appeared that the insect began to weave around the empress's finger. So the empress first saw a silk cocoon.
Beyond the truthfulness of this story, what still retains an incomparable charm today is the way in which silk becomes silk starting from the weaving of the thread that the silkworm produces in its cocoon.
In fact, the silkworm is a species of moth that feeds mainly on the leaves of the mulberry tree . The production of the thread takes place thanks to two glands inside which a chemical synthesis of the protein type takes place. The substance produced is eliminated by two small slits positioned on the sides of the insect's mouth, in the form of very fine slime which instantly gels in contact with the air.
It is at this precise moment that the worm begins to make movements with the head which ideally reproduce the shape of an eight. Millimeter by millimeter the raw silk cocoon takes shape, the average length of which ranges from 300 to 900 metres. Each silkworm can produce many skeins and at the end of this exhausting weaving work, after about three or four days, it transforms into a butterfly .
Silk processing
For many centuries the secret of sericulture has been jealously guarded by Chinese craftsmen. It is essential to block the metamorphosis of the silkworms and to do this, the cocoons are collected and dried in special dryers.
The cocoons are macerated in boiling water so that the sericin (the rubbery part of the slime) softens and is then eliminated. At this point the external filaments and the waste (or strusa) are also removed and finally the end of the burr is reached. The fiber is subjected to a new washing, cleaned and carded so that it can be spun.
On average , 20-25 kilos of raw silk and 15 kilos of waste were obtained from 100 kilograms of cocoons . All these long, meticulous and complex operations were carried out manually, which is why the cost of silk was always particularly high.
Features and benefits of silk stockings
When we talk about men's silk socks, we first need to know what are the generic characteristics of this noble fabric.
In fact, the raw fiber of silk and the carded one are very different. The first, in fact, is cylindrical, slightly flattened and not homogeneous. In some sections, the wire has diameters of different thicknesses. Once cleaned, treated and carded, the yarn acquires all its incredible characteristics, starting with the truly incomparable sheen.
Silk easily absorbs dyes and for this reason it can be colored, giving the garments many chromatic shades that shine in the sunlight. The fabric has a very elastic and resistant texture , but also soft and slippery , elements that make it perfect for draping.
Soft and light, silk is pleasant to wear and contrary to popular belief, it insulates very well from heat and cold. Thanks to its multiple qualities, it is highly appreciated in the production of high fashion.
Type of silk: here is the best
In Italian textile labeling, silk is recognizable by the abbreviation SE. In addition to the production of fine fabrics and clothes, silk is also used in the making of curtains and upholstery, underwear and scarves, liturgical clothing and furnishings. Furthermore, an interesting experimentation for the creation of prostheses intended for medicine and surgery has begun for some years.
But what is the best type of silk for men's socks?
Chinese mulberry silk represents the pinnacle of quality and elegance, far surpassing ordinary silk in terms of benefits and performance. Sourced from the cocoons of the mulberry silkworm , this fine silk is distinguished by its sublime softness and mesmerizing sheen, offering a touch of unparalleled luxury.
Compared to traditional silk, mulberry silk boasts superior strength and durability, is lighter and more breathable, keeps feet fresh and dry all day long.
It is also softer, leaves no redness and offers incomparable comfort thanks to its very fine, smooth and silky texture. It leaves zero chafing irritation and is gentle on all skin types.
How not to ruin silk stockings
Silk is a very delicate fabric whose fiber must be washed with neutral detergents and at temperatures not exceeding 20°C. The ideal is to store silk garments in dark, dry places away from sunlight because this fabric tends to fade or yellow easily.
If it is not mixed with wool, silk is not attacked by moths, but it is sensitive to humidity which can cause the formation of mold and bacteria. This usually causes chromatic alterations and conspicuous white spots.
Before buying a silk garment, check that it comes from sustainable silkworm farms and pay attention to the label!
Thanks to the Oeko-Tex and REACH certifications, Noble silk men's socks guarantee ethical and ecological production, meeting the highest standards of safety and sustainability.
The Oeko-Tex certification ensures the absence of harmful and allergenic substances in the fabric, protecting both the skin of the wearer of the socks and the environment in which it is produced.
To ensure that your silk garments are truly "timeless" or capable of being worn season after season, you need to follow some precautions.
Here are some washing tips:
Silk must be washed by hand : immerse your garments in a basin with cold water and a few drops of neutral detergent, leave to soak for 15 minutes and rinse without squeezing too vigorously.
If you want to use the washing machine , select the specific program for delicate items but absolutely avoid the spin cycle, use a little detergent (with neutral PH) and use distilled white vinegar instead of fabric softener. This is often used to rinse the silk and help keep the sheen and colors of the fabric vibrant.
Pay attention to the label : before cutting it off, look carefully at the symbols with washing instructions, because each new purchase may have specific ones. In the case of Nobile stockings, you won't find a label but stickers where you will find the description of the composition of the stocking.
To take the best care of Nobile mulberry silk stockings and preserve their shine, it is advisable to wash them by hand with cold or lukewarm water and a specific delicate detergent for silk.
Noble silk stockings
Unlike other hosiery factories, our men's silk socks are not produced in an industrial way , but go through a quality control at each stage of production which combines the work of the machine with the manual work of the craftsman. Finally, each sock is inspected and washed by hand.
We use Chinese mulberry silk which represents the pinnacle of quality and elegance, far surpassing ordinary silk in terms of benefits and performance.
Our silk stockings are made of 80% pure class A mulberry silk, 18% polyamide and 2% Lycra®.
Choosing Chinese mulberry silk means investing in a superior quality product, which combines ancient Chinese textile wisdom with Made in Italy craftsmanship. Wearing these stockings is a gesture of sophisticated self-care, where well-being meets the elegance and charm of the finest silk in the world.
Thanks to the Oeko-Tex and REACH certifications , this fine silk guarantees ethical and ecological production, meeting the highest standards of safety and sustainability.
The Oeko-Tex certification ensures the absence of harmful and allergenic substances in the fabric, protecting both the skin of the wearer of the socks and the environment in which it is produced.
As well as enjoying the luxury and comfort benefits of our silk, you will also be sure that you are making an environmentally responsible choice.
Conclusions
A symbol of nobility and wealth, silk was for many years a privilege only for a few. In this article we have seen the advantages of choosing men's silk socks to be true gentlemen.
Before choosing your socks, pay close attention and try to follow the advice we have given you. You will see that in this way you will not have any nasty surprises.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best silk stockings?
Chinese mulberry silk represents the pinnacle of quality and elegance, far surpassing ordinary silk in terms of benefits and performance. Sourced from the cocoons of the mulberry silkworm, this fine silk is distinguished by its sublime softness and mesmerizing sheen, offering a touch of unparalleled luxury.
How should I wash silk stockings?
Silk must be washed by hand: immerse your garments in a basin with cold water and a few drops of neutral detergent, leave to soak for 15 minutes and rinse without squeezing too vigorously. If you want to use the washing machine, select the specific program for delicate items but do not spin, use a little detergent (with neutral PH) and use distilled white vinegar instead of fabric softener. This is often used to rinse the silk and help keep the sheen and colors of the fabric vibrant. Pay attention to the label: before cutting it off, look carefully at the symbols with washing instructions, because each new purchase may have specific ones. .
How to recognize real silk stockings?
Choosing Chinese mulberry silk means investing in a superior quality product, which combines ancient Chinese textile wisdom with Made in Italy craftsmanship. Wearing these stockings is a gesture of sophisticated self-care, where well-being meets the elegance and charm of the finest silk in the world. Thanks to the Oeko-Tex and REACH certifications, this fine silk guarantees ethical and ecological production, meeting the highest standards of safety and sustainability.
How do I not ruin silk stockings?
Silk is a very delicate fabric whose fiber must be washed with neutral detergents and at temperatures not exceeding 40°C. The ideal is to store silk garments in dark, dry places away from sunlight because this fabric tends to fade or yellow easily. If it is not mixed with wool, silk is not attacked by moths, but it is sensitive to humidity which can cause the formation of mold and bacteria. This usually causes chromatic alterations and conspicuous white spots.
