Silk vs Linen: Differences, Prices & What's Best?

Key Takeaways

• With its soft feel and natural shine, silk is kinder to skin and hair, helping reduce wrinkles and split ends more effectively than linen.

• Silk’s ability to regulate temperature keeps you cosy in winter and cool in summer, while linen performs best in warm climates.

• High-momme silk can keep its beauty, softness, and strength for years, whereas linen, though sturdy, tends to wrinkle and lose its polished look faster.

• The higher price of silk pays off over time thanks to its durability, comfort, and lasting elegance.

• Made with 100% Grade 6A Mulberry Silk, Mayfairsilk offers pillowcases, bedding, sleep masks, and accessories that have earned top consumer and industry awards, blending sustainability with exceptional quality.

The Origins of Silk & Linen

Silk begins its story in the delicate cocoons of silkworms, especially the Bombyx mori, which dine solely on mulberry leaves. Those shimmering threads are carefully harvested, spun, and woven into a fabric with a smoothness and shine no other natural textile can quite match. The process is detailed, labour-intensive, and eco-friendly, which is why silk commands a higher price and carries such unmistakable elegance.

Linen’s journey starts in the stalks of the flax plant. The fibers are drawn out, spun into yarn, and woven into fabric. While its production is less intricate, linen boasts natural strength and impressive absorbency. For centuries, it’s been a warm-climate favorite thanks to its breathable, airy nature.

Mayfairsilk: Luxurious Slumber in Matte Silk As Featured in Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar & Vanity Fair Experience True Silk Luxury: Silk Pillowcases · 25 Momme: Transform your beauty sleep with our signature pillowcases that help reduce friction on hair and skin while regulating temperature throughout the night. Silk Sheets · 22 Momme: Envelop yourself in the ultimate bedding experience with our thermoregulating complete sets, crafted from lustrous Grade 6A Mulberry silk with an exquisite matte finish. Exclusive Limited Edition Prints: Elevate your bedroom aesthetic with our designer patterns, created in small batches for those who appreciate distinctive luxury. The Mayfairsilk Difference: ✓ Grade 6A Mulberry silk (the highest quality available) ✓ Thicker, more durable weave (22–25 Momme vs. standard 19) ✓ Natural thermoregulation for year-round comfort ✓ British owned and designed ✓ UK-based warehouse for fast, reliable delivery ✓ 30-night sleep guarantee on pillowcases Luxury Without Compromise: Free Next-Day Delivery on orders over £50 to the UK and €180/$180 to the EU/US. All taxes and duties calculated upfront—no surprise charges. Discover Mayfairsilk Today →

Feel & Comfort

Silk has a way of melting over your skin; smooth, soft, and almost fluid in its drape. Beyond the indulgent feel, it’s also kind to skin and hair. A silk pillowcase can help prevent sleep wrinkles and keep hair from snagging or breaking, all thanks to its low-friction surface.

Linen offers a different experience with its textured, crisp feel that softens over time. Many love its tactile charm, but it simply can’t match silk’s gentle touch. For those with sensitive skin, silk will always feel more forgiving and luxurious.

The smooth, luxurious feel of silk offers comfort benefits that go beyond just looking beautiful.

Temperature Regulation & Moisture Control

Both fabrics breathe beautifully, but silk’s adaptability sets it apart. It naturally adjusts to your body temperature, keeping you snug in winter and cool in summer, all while wicking away moisture without losing its insulating edge.

Linen excels in hot weather, letting air move freely and drying quickly when damp. But when the temperature drops, it can’t hold in warmth quite like silk. This makes silk the more versatile choice for year-round comfort, especially in bedding and clothing meant for every season.

Durability & Lifespan

Silk often gets labeled as fragile, but high-quality silk, especially high momme silk like the kind from Mayfairsilk, can be impressively long-lasting with the right care. Its tightly woven fibers resist pilling and fraying, meaning your silk pieces can keep their beauty for years. 

Linen, on the other hand, is naturally strong and can last decades, but it tends to wrinkle easily and may feel rougher over time if not treated gently. When it comes to holding onto that luxurious look and smooth feel, silk stays effortlessly elegant for longer.

Eco-Friendliness & Sustainability

Both silk and linen are eco-friendly and biodegradable, but their impact on the planet isn’t quite the same.

Mulberry silk like that designed by Mayfairsilk is crafted with minimal water, no pesticides, and a zero-waste mindset. Mulberry trees thrive mostly on rainwater, and every part of production is reused, from the fibers to by-products like sericin, keeping it chemical-free and highly sustainable.

Linen, made from flax, is also gentle on the environment, needing little water or pesticides. Still, some processing methods use chemicals that can harm ecosystems, so the most sustainable linen comes from natural retting and low-impact farming.

Both are green choices, but silk shines for its closed-loop, chemical-free production that leaves a lighter footprint.

Care Instructions

Silk likes a little extra TLC: hand washing or a gentle machine cycle with a silk-safe detergent, then air-drying away from direct sunlight. Treat it well, and high-momme silk bedding or clothing will reward you by staying luxuriously soft and gorgeous for years. 

Linen is easier to toss in the wash, but it can lose its softness if not handled right. Let it air-dry and give it a light press, and it’ll keep its crisp, fresh look.

Price Considerations

Silk costs more because producing it is labour-intensive, and the end result feels luxurious. Typical silk fabric runs about £15 to £150 per metre, depending on the type and finish of the silk; pillowcases sit around £54–£105, and premium sheet or duvet sets can be £275 up to well over £1,125. 

Linen lands in a cheaper bracket, roughly £12.75–£30.50 in the UK, though top-tier European linen can push prices higher. While silk asks for a bigger upfront spend, its lasting comfort and elegance often make it the smarter buy over time.

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.

Quality natural fabrics like linen offer excellent value while silk commands premium prices for its luxury appeal.

Lifestyle: Where Each Fabric Shines

Silk is best for:

• Luxury bedding and pillowcases

• Elegant sleepwear and nightclothes

• High-fashion garments and accessories

• Skin and hair care (pillowcases, scarves, eye masks)

Linen is optimal for:

• Casual summer apparel

• Shirts, trousers, and dresses for warm climates

• Kitchen and home textiles where durability trumps luxury (towels, napkins, aprons)

• Relaxed, rustic home décor (tablecloths, curtains)

Silk vs Linen Comparison Table

Elevate Your Sleep with Mayfairsilk Luxury

Mayfairsilk’s Precious Pink and Ivory Silk Duvet Set, made from 100% Grade 6A Mulberry Silk, offers unmatched softness, durability, and skin-friendly comfort for a luxurious night’s sleep.

Luxury sleep begins with the finest materials, which is why we create every Mayfairsilk product using 100% pure Grade 6A Mulberry Silk, the highest quality silk in the world. 

Known for its exceptional softness, durability, and natural benefits for skin and hair, our silk is British-owned and designed, with a signature matte finish and premium momme weights (25 momme for pillowcases and 22 momme for sheets). Each piece is certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, ensuring it is free from harmful chemicals and safe for nightly use.

Our collection includes pillowcases, bedding sets, sleep masks, duvet sets, hair accessories, and cushion covers, all thoughtfully designed to elevate comfort while adding timeless elegance to your home. We are committed to sustainability through responsible sourcing and zero-waste production, so you can enjoy luxury with peace of mind.

Recognised as the Best Luxury Silk Bedding Brand 2024 by leading consumer and industry awards, our reputation is built on quality, sustainability, and thousands of satisfied customers around the world. Choosing Mayfairsilk means embracing sustainable elegance that nurtures your skin, hair, and the planet while transforming your everyday sleep into something truly special.

Shop our collections today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which is better: silk or linen?

Both have their merits, but silk stands out for its luxurious smoothness, skin and hair benefits, and ability to regulate temperature in all seasons. Linen is breathable and cool, making it great for hot climates, but it can feel coarser and wrinkle more easily. If you want everyday luxury with long-term beauty, silk is the better choice.

Is silk worth the higher price?

Yes. While silk requires a larger initial investment than linen, it offers exceptional durability, timeless elegance, and tangible beauty benefits. With proper care, high-momme silk can last many years without losing its softness or sheen, making it cost-effective over its lifespan.

How do I care for silk products?

Silk should be washed gently, either by hand or on a delicate machine cycle, using a pH-neutral, silk-safe detergent. Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach, and never tumble dry. Instead, air-dry in the shade to preserve the fiber’s strength, sheen, and colour. Follow these steps, and your silk will stay beautiful for many years.

Is silk environmentally friendly?

When produced responsibly, yes. Mulberry silk production requires minimal water, no pesticides, and can operate within a circular, zero-waste system. For example, at Mayfairsilk, every part of the fabric is used, and even by-products are repurposed for cosmetics and health products, making it one of the most eco-conscious luxury fabrics available.

What products does Mayfairsilk offer?

Mayfairsilk collection includes 100% Grade 6A Mulberry Silk pillowcases, bed linen sets, duvet covers, sleep masks, scrunchies, and cushion covers. Each item is crafted for elegance, comfort, and sustainability, helping improve your sleep quality while being gentle on skin, hair, and the planet.