On silk, and why 22 momme

Silk was the first thing we made, and the standard everything after it had to meet.

Weight. Silk is measured in momme, roughly the weight of a given length of cloth. Much of what is sold as a silk blouse sits at 12 to 16 momme: light, inexpensive, and quick to show its seams. Ours is a 22 momme charmeuse. The difference is felt before it is seen. The cloth has body, it falls in a line rather than a flutter, and it survives years of washing without turning thin.

Composition. 90 % silk, 10 % elastane. A small amount of stretch, enough that the blouse moves with the shoulder and does not pull at the button when you reach for something.

The details. Real abalone buttons, each one slightly different. A concealed placket on one blouse, an open placket on the other. Slim fit, cut to be worn tucked or loose.

Care. Hand wash cool or dry clean, lay flat, iron on the reverse while slightly damp. Treated this way, a 22 momme blouse improves with time; the surface softens and the colour settles.

Two blouses, four colours each. We would rather make them well than make many.