Silk vs Cupro: Price, Properties & Differences

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Origins & Production Methods

The journey from raw material to finished fabric highlights the first key difference between silk and cupro. Their origins influence texture, quality, and environmental impact, pricing, and ethical considerations.

How Silk Is Made: From Cocoon to Fabric

Silk comes from the Bombyx mori silkworm, which spins cocoons of continuous protein filament up to 1,000 yards long. Harvesting traditionally involves boiling the cocoons with the pupae inside, after which the filaments are carefully unwound and twisted into strong silk threads. This centuries-old craft gives silk its renowned strength, lustre, and natural thermal properties.

Cupro’s Manufacturing Process: Cotton Waste to Luxury

Cupro transforms cotton linter, short fibres left after ginning, into fabric using a copper-ammonia solution. The resulting filaments are spun into yarns for weaving or knitting. While this recycling process is innovative, it relies on chemical treatments that require careful handling, making it more resource-intensive than natural fibres like silk.

Impact on Price & Quality

Silk’s labour-intensive production, requiring thousands of cocoons for just a pound of fibre, contributes to its premium price and unmatched elegance. Cupro, though luxurious, benefits from lower raw material costs and industrial-scale processing, making it a more affordable luxury alternative.

Cupro’s consistent drape and durability make it perfect for structured garments, from tailored dresses to elegant blouses.

Feel & Appearance: How They Compare

The feel and look of a fabric often guide our choices, and both silk and cupro offer luxurious experiences, though silk retains a subtle edge.

Texture & Drape

Silk’s natural protein fibres give a smooth, cool, and almost ethereal sensation against the skin. Its triangular prism-like structure reduces friction and creates a natural bounce and resilience that cupro can mimic but not fully replicate. 

Cupro has a slightly more uniform hand-feel and predictable drape, making it ideal for structured garments, yet it lacks the organic movement and delicate softness of true silk.

Lustre & Sheen

Silk catches light in a multidimensional way, producing a different, inner glow that shifts with every movement. Cupro has a consistent, controlled shine, elegant, but without the depth and luminosity of natural silk.

Weight & Body

Silk ranges from gossamer-light chiffons to heavier eri silks, balancing breathability with structure. Cupro excels at medium-weight fabrics with reliable body and drape, perfect for tailored pieces, but it cannot fully replicate silk’s delicate variations and ethereal lightness.

Silk remains the benchmark for natural luxury, combining softness, shimmer, and movement in a way that few fabrics, even innovative ones like cupro, can truly match.

Performance Properties That Matter

Beyond aesthetics, fabric performance impacts comfort, longevity, and daily wear. Silk and cupro each bring unique strengths, with silk edging ahead in natural adaptability.

Breathability & Temperature Regulation

Silk’s protein fibres create microscopic air pockets that trap warmth in cold weather yet release excess heat in summer, making it a year-round performer. Cupro breathes well and feels cool, but it lacks silk’s natural insulating ability, making it better suited for warmer climates or layering.

Moisture Management

Silk can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, wicking perspiration efficiently and promoting evaporation. 

Cupro also moves moisture away from the body but tends to hold it within the fibre, which may feel slightly heavier under intense perspiration. For everyday wear, both fabrics are comfortable, though silk performs marginally better in extreme conditions.

Durability & Longevity

Silk is strong when dry but weakens when wet and is vulnerable to UV damage and friction. Cupro is more abrasion-resistant and maintains strength when wet, making it practical for frequent wear. 

With proper care, however, silk can last years or even decades, often outlasting a cupro garment subjected to similar treatment.

Care Requirements

Silk requires gentle handling—hand washing in cool water, low-temperature ironing, and protection from sunlight. Cupro is easier to maintain, tolerating delicate machine washes, though dry cleaning is recommended for structured pieces. 

Both fabrics benefit from prompt stain treatment and careful storage to preserve their beauty.

Proper care preserves silk’s natural lustre. Gentle hand washing, low-heat ironing, and avoiding direct sunlight extend its life.

Price Breakdown: How Silk & Cupro Compare?

Cupro is a regenerated cellulose fabric made from cotton linter, turning agricultural waste into a smooth, silk-like textile. Its affordability, typically £5.22 to £22.39 per yard, makes it an attractive option for those seeking luxury aesthetics on a budget. Its consistent quality and industrial production ensure predictable pricing and durability.

Silk, by contrast, is a natural protein fibre long revered for its softness, sheen, and performance. Prices vary based on silkworm type, fibre quality, weave, and thickness (measured in Momme, 5–40 mm), ranging from £5.97 to £81.95 per yard. Its labour-intensive production and exquisite finish justify the premium for those seeking unparalleled elegance and comfort.

While cupro is a practical, budget-friendly alternative, silk remains the ultimate choice for natural beauty, luxurious feel, and timeless appeal—making it a worthwhile investment for lasting luxury.

*Note: The price ranges mentioned above are approximate and subject to change over time and across different locations. Costs may vary based on factors such as pricing policies, the provider's experience, and evolving market conditions.

Environmental & Ethical Considerations

Both fabrics present environmental trade-offs, and understanding their impacts helps consumers make informed choices.

Silk Production Ethics

Silk production is naturally sustainable, making it one of the most eco-friendly textiles. It is highly efficient with inputs such as land, water, and resources, producing far less environmental impact than cotton, wool, or polyester. Silk has a fairly low carbon footprint, emitting just 34 kg CO₂ per tonne of fabric, compared to cotton at 27,680 kg CO₂ per tonne.

The process relies on Mulberry trees, which sequester carbon, grow without harmful chemicals, and provide leaves for silkworms that produce the silk. Production waste is minimised and repurposed in multiple ways, from textiles to compost, animal feed, and cosmetic applications. Silk is biodegradable and durable, extending its lifecycle while reducing overall environmental impact.

Sustainability initiatives are further strengthened through partnerships with reforestation projects, planting trees on behalf of consumers and supporting local communities. For example, at Mayfairsilk, we partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects, a leading global reforestation organization that creates employment for over 25,000 villagers who plant millions of trees annually. Each time you shop with us, we plant a tree on your behalf, combining environmental stewardship with poverty alleviation in vulnerable communities.

These practices make Mulberry silk a leading example of an environmentally responsible fabric.

Cupro’s Sustainability Profile

Cupro recycles cotton waste, giving it a resource-efficient edge. However, its production relies on chemicals like copper and ammonia, requiring careful management to prevent pollution. Modern closed-loop systems reduce environmental risks, but the process remains more resource-intensive than natural fibre production.

Water & Chemical Use

Silk requires water for mulberry irrigation, washing, and dyeing, but chemical inputs are minimal. Cupro needs significant water for fibre dissolution and rinsing, and chemical management is critical to limit environmental impact.

Biodegradability & End-of-Life

Silk biodegrades fully under composting conditions without leaving microplastics. Cupro also breaks down more readily than synthetic fabrics, though residual chemicals from processing may affect its environmental footprint.

Silk offers a more natural, biodegradable option with minimal chemical use, while cupro provides resource efficiency through recycling. Overall, silk stands out as the superior choice for sustainability, ethics, and long-term environmental impact.

Silk vs Cupro: A Luxury Fabric Comparison

How to Choose Between Silk & Cupro

Choosing between silk and cupro comes down to aligning fabric properties with your lifestyle, values, and practical needs. Rather than one being universally “better,” consider how you’ll use the garment, alongside priorities like price, care, ethics, and aesthetics.

When Silk Shines

Silk excels for special occasion pieces or garments worn directly against the skin, such as sleepwear, undergarments, or formal attire. Its superior breathability and temperature regulation, combined with natural aging that develops a beautiful patina, make it a lasting investment for those willing to follow proper care routines.

When Cupro Makes Sense

Cupro is ideal for everyday wear or pieces requiring easier maintenance. Its resilience suits travel, busy schedules, or situations where delicate care is impractical. Cupro also appeals to those avoiding animal products and has a luxury-like appearance at a more accessible price, perfect for building a polished, versatile wardrobe.

Choose Mayfairsilk for the Ultimate Silk Experience

When it's about silk, not all fabrics are created equal. At Mayfairsilk, we're British-owned and designed, and we bring the finest Grade 6A Mulberry silk straight to your home, offering a sleep experience that combines elegance, comfort, and care for your skin and hair.

Our silk scrunchies protect hair while adding a touch of gentle luxury to your daily routine.

Imagine sliding into a bed dressed in our 22 Momme silk sheets. Their thicker, more durable weave feels luxuriously soft whilst naturally regulating temperature, keeping you cool in summer and cosy in winter.

Pair them with our 25 Momme silk pillowcases, designed to reduce friction so your hair stays smooth and your skin feels pampered night after night. Even our silk scrunchies offer that same gentle luxury, blending functionality with indulgence.

We stand out for our attention to detail with exclusive, limited-edition prints, a matte finish with rich lustre, and the assurance of a UK-based warehouse for next-day delivery with no surprise import charges. Each product is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, biodegradable, and created with sustainability in mind, making luxury responsible and irresistible.

More than bedding, we offer a ritual, a way to transform everyday self-care into something extraordinary. With our 30-night sleep trial, you can experience firsthand the difference silk of this quality makes, from the feel against your skin to the overall elegance it brings to your bedroom.

Shop our collections today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main difference between silk and cupro?

Silk is a natural protein fibre produced by silkworms, prized for softness, sheen, and breathability. Cupro is regenerated cellulose from cotton waste, mimicking silk’s look but created through chemical processing with more predictable texture.

Which fabric feels softer on the skin?

Silk has a uniquely smooth, cool sensation thanks to its triangular prism-like fibres, creating minimal friction. This luxurious softness is why Mayfairsilk pillowcases and scrunchies feel so gentle against your skin and hair. Cupro is smooth too, but slightly heavier and more uniform, lacking silk’s ethereal quality.

How do silk and cupro compare in temperature regulation?

Silk naturally adapts to body temperature, trapping warmth in cold weather and releasing heat in warm conditions. Cupro is breathable and cool but doesn’t insulate as effectively, making silk better for year-round comfort.

Can cupro replace silk in luxury garments?

Cupro mimics silk’s sheen and drapes well, making it suitable for many garments. However, silk’s natural softness, breathability, and temperature regulation provide an unmatched luxury experience, especially for special occasions or skin-contact pieces.