Silk and cashmere have long been considered luxury fabrics, not just because of their cost, but also because of their longevity—and their ability to elevate an outfit fast, with minimal effort. But they can be cost-prohibitive, and even the most expensive brands don’t come with a sustainability or fair trade guarantee. That’s where LILYSILK comes in. Keep reading for our sustainable silk and cashmere picks, along with why we’ve stocked our closets with this celeb-loved brand.
By: Lisa Fennessy, with Nicolle Mackinnon
This post is sponsored by LILYSILK, an OEKO-TEX certified brand with sustainable silk and cashmere options, as well as a clothing recycling program designed to reduce fashion waste. As always, The New Knew only works with brands who we trust are making the world a better place.
IN THIS POST:
- Who is LILYSILK?
- Why choose silk?
- What are OEKO-TEX® standards?
- LILYSILK review: what we tried
- LILYSILK Pros and Cons
- Exclusive LILYSILK promo code + shopping guide
- LILYSILK FAQ
Who is LILYSILK?
LILYSILK came onto our radar thanks to social media—it’s a widely loved celeb favorite, and if it’s good enough for Lupita, Amanda Seyfried and Gwyneth, it’s definitely good enough for us.
Kidding, kinda. We did proceed with more interest when we knew it was celeb loved, but what really drew the TNK team in is the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Plus, it’s gorgeous (look at our MANY photos below).
LILYSILK produces luxury fashion pieces that encourage smarter shopping, with lower waste and higher quality materials. You can feel it in the drape and breathability of the fabric, and you can also rest assured that the fabric used has been vetted by a third party to contain fewer toxins than conventional or fast fashion (more on that in a minute). And LILYSILK utilizes leftover fabric from creating clothing like shirts, pants and pjs to make eye masks, scrunchies and more.
The brand focuses on silk, cashmere and merino wool pieces, with a few other fabrics like Tencel thrown in for good measure. And they ship to most countries and regions worldwide.
RELATED: How to shop for sustainable fashion.
Why choose silk?
Wearing silk is a personal preference. There’s no denying silk alludes to the feeling of luxury, elegance and…sex. You can’t Google an image of Hugh Hefner without seeing him in some sort of silk robe, silk pjs or sprawled across some giant bed adorned in silk sheets. Madonna sings about a “silk scarf” in her 1992 song S.E.X. and WE ALL KNOW 90s singer Silk’s song [let me lick you up and down till you say stop] “Freak Me.”
And while some people choose silk for a *vibe,* silk actually comes with some interesting skin benefits.
LILYSILK explains, “Silk is a protein fiber extracted from the substance secreted by silkworms…It is a fiber closest to our skin and contains 18 amino acids beneficial to the human body.” This is especially interesting when we consider that chemical sensitivities are on the rise and some of us wear / sleep in fabrics for 8-12 hours a day.
RELATED: Tradlands clothing review.
But besides that, LILYSILK explains that silk is also:
- Naturally hypoallergenic
- Moisture wicking
- Skin-friendly / breathable
- Light and soft
And if you are already sold on silk, LILYSILK takes silk to the next level by:
- Only using long fiber mulberry silk (Grade 6A) to make their products (this is considered the best in the biz)
- Using a silk material thickness that’s higher than conventional (19-25 momme)
- Seeking the OEKO-TEX certification for their products (which is why we are talking about them!)
- Making a silk that is machine washable
What are OEKO-TEX® standards?
The OEKO-TEX® standards 100 is developed and managed by the International OEKO-TEX® Association, a group of 16 textile research and test institutes in Europe and Japan, with representative agencies and contact offices in over 60 countries worldwide.
Products that pass the test in this system are allowed to carry a certification label that guarantees consumers that the product does not contain harmful substances at levels that can be dangerous to the human body. Says LILYSILK about their products, “No matter beddings or sleepwears, most of LILYSILK’s products own the OEKO certification and are safe and healthy for your skin.”
You KNOW we love certifications and third-party testing here at TNK, so we are here for all of this.
More on LILYSILK’s OKEO-TEX Certification here.
LILYSILK review: what we tried (and our honest pros/cons)
LILYSILK women’s silk clothing review
The Armeria Lace Blouse | $149
A classic silk shirt is one of those staples everyone needs in their closet. And the lace detailing on this one had me at hello. This is the type of shirt you put on to RUN IT. Like, you have some demands for your kid’s kindergarten teacher? This shirt. You need to return something outside the return window at Nordstrom? This shirt. Casually meeting a friend for a drink and a cheeseboard? This shirt. It’s the best of all things grownup, take charge and don’t play with me because I have my “S” TOGETHER type of shirt.
WHAT I LIKE: The fit is perfect. It’s cut in a way that makes it look timeless and it drapes perfectly. Love the lace detail on the sleeve.
WHAT I DON’T: Scared to eat anything but white foods in this shirt.
SIZING: I ordered a medium which is an 8-10. I typically am right in between those sizes so the fit is perfect for me. The shoulders are wide enough without looking boxy, the buttons do not gape and the bottom is long enough that I can tuck it in if needed.
Nerium Silk Pleated Relaxed Pants | $169
Let your inner genie in a bottle and MC Hammer shine with this silk pant. These can be dressed up or down for almost anything. Try them with a black tank and a gold necklace for a chic night out, with a cropped blazer for work or a messy bun and a cami for a backyard bbq, Sunday stroll or to the ballpark.
WHAT I LIKE: Love the tapered waist and the tapered ankle, which balance all the fabric happening in the middle. Also, #loosepants #ftw. Also, POCKETS!
WHAT I DON’T: I can wear these all day and they still look good in the evening AKA, not too wrinkly. But they will need a steam or a professional press in between every few wears.
SIZING: TTS. I am typically a size 8-ish (or a 29” waist jean) and the size 8 pants fit like a glove. Because these pants have so much room in them, it’s really only the waist size that you need to consider for sizing and you really want to get that right. Too small and you won’t be able to wear them while too big will look sloppy. Use their size chart to measure where your true waist is in inches to get it right.
One-Size-Fits-Most Classic Wireless Silk Bra For Women | $39
I can review this bra in one word: COMFORT. I’ve been so obsessed with this everyday wear, sports bra crossover since the day it arrived—I literally don’t wear anything else. It’s wireless, made from a silk (95%) / spandex (5%) blend, slightly padded, light, breathable and seamless. I can’t say enough good things.
WHAT I LIKE: I especially love the full back for a seamless look with t-shirts and anything borderline see through. For example, I have an eyelet shirt that I’ve been wearing this season and normally I would have to wear a cami under it to keep it classy, but with this bra it’s a wrap!
WHAT I DON’T: The only downside is I have a feeling it will stretch out with time…but if you are a bra wearer, you know most bras do that, especially if you wear the same bra every day. Also, this is not a full support bra, which is fine for me but might not be for you.
SIZING: This one size fits most bra works for me. I’m 5’10” and 165 lbs and I typically wear a 34D or a 36C bra.
👉HIGHLY RECOMMEND.👈
Viola Oversized Silk Pajama For Women | $239
You know that one of my life goals is to look grown up on girls trips and weekends away and the Viola Oversized Silk Pajamas make me look like I’ve got it all under control.
WHAT I LIKE: Besides the fact that these pajamas are uber timeless and super classic, the surprising detail here is the “oversized”-ness of this set. I’m 5’10” and I love feeling enveloped in these pajamas (a rare feeling for me!). Everything is big enough, long enough and super cozy. I’m also impressed that the cream color is not too see through—one of my main fears when ordering white silk pajamas. (I mean, I can’t come down for coffee on a girls trip with my areolas on display.)
The other thing I LOVE (and I can’t stress this enough) is this pajama shirt is actually their SOS Silk Shirt. Yeah…..so you technically get a 2-in-1 because this pajama top can also be worn out of the house styled with jeans or a fun pair of shorts.
WHAT I DON’T: Again, not really trying to steam or professionally press my pajamas.
SIZING: I ordered these in a medium (which is an 8-10) and they were perfect for me, but I am right in between that size range so it’s like these were made just for me. Super roomy without feeling too big.
Casual Short Sleeves Loose Silk T-Shirt | $119
Silk(y) shirts have been everywhere the last 2 years, and I’ve been super hesitant to jump on the trend. A) I have some trauma from wearing an oversized teal silk button up under a black-and-white jacquard VEST and a brushed-out crimped hairstyle for my second-grade school photo (I wish I had it in hand to show you…) and B) I’m worried about being too cold in it (silk is supposed to be breathable and I’m a freeze baby). 🤣
But I LOVE an olive oversized button up, so I went with it—and I’m trying to elevate my go-to pieces to lean into that classic vibe, a la Jennifer Aniston (she’s always on trend without being trendy, you know?).
WHAT I LIKE: I mean, true to form, I love nearly everything about this shirt. Its loose fit, its shade of olive, the fact that it’s silky smooth and easy to wear. I’m calling it—this is gonna be a staple of my spring/summer wardrobe, to pair with jean shorts or wide-leg trousers (see how much I love the wide leg?!).
WHAT I DON’T: Honestly, the only thing is that it was wrinkled when I pulled it out of the package, but a quick run of an iron fixed it.
SIZING: TTS. I got a small, and I def could have sized down to an XS. Go with your usual size, and know it will still be slightly oversized (on purpose).
LILYSILK cashmere review
Women’s Ribbed Pure Cashmere Sweater Hoodie + Wide Leg Pants | $169 & $229
Maybe it’s my age (36) or my Google search history, but in the last year, I’ve been targeted with cashmere ad content across the web and on social. Loving that chic, pulled together lewk you can achieve with this super-soft fabric. But all of it was too expensive, or the fit was off, and I had nearly given up on finding a cute set I could grow old in (kidding, not kidding).
LILYSILK’s Ribbed Pure Cashmere Hoodie + Wide Leg Pants have been my go-to this winter/spring. When I pulled it out of the gorgeous packaging, I was stunned by its softness, and then I proceeded to basically never take the set off (just ask my husband, who declared this my “wide-leg sweater pants” season). Winter in MN is fierce, and this set kept me cozy the whole time.
WHAT I LIKE: Everything? Yeah, everything. The cashmere is 100% A-Grade, AND the hoodie and pants are 2-ply knitted yarn, which makes them way less see-through than other cashmere I’ve tried (no panty lines here!). I don’t have to worry about getting a hole in them because they’re thicker than other cashmere I’ve tried, and I could sleep in them, they’re so comfy. This ‘fit is going to be my go-to travel look! I’m just obsessed with how pulled together I can appear while feeling like I’m wearing pjs.
WHAT I DON’T: I do wish they came in petite, since I’m a shorty. Also, I have been wanting to go back for another pair, but they’ve frequently been sold out in my size. And I could do with more colors—can I get a black option, please?!
SIZING: I’m pretty solidly a size small usually, but I got both the hoodie and the pants in a medium, and I don’t think I’d want to size down on the pants, as the waist is just right (and doesn’t stretch out while you wear them). They are LONG, so I should probably get them hemmed? Also, very high waisted, if that’s your thing (or isn’t). The sweater is TTS, so I probably could have gone with a small and gotten an even more streamlined silhouette.
Casual Cashmere Knitting Trousers | $229
See how much I love a wide leg lounge pant?! These are another dream—100% A-Grade cashmere, which is super soft and the color really goes with anything. These feel slightly thinner than the ribbed set, but I can’t stop wearing them! Again, it makes my WFH outfits feel elevated and chic, even though I’m wearing glorified sweats. The pants pair so well with a sweater or a button up too, so they’re not just for a lounge.
WHAT I LIKE: Again, everything. Like, give me all the colors, and the matching sweater, I’ll wear the set to my grave.
WHAT I DON’T: Also wish these came in petite, since I’m a shorty. These are thinner than the other pair, so you can see a little panty line through them if you’re not wearing beige or nude colored undies.
SIZING: I got these in a small, and that was the right call, so I’d say TTS. They stretch a bit more than the ribbed pair, including at the waistband, so they feel more lived in right away. Again, long for me as a 5’2” woman.
Cashmere Scarf | $119
After coming back from a girls trip to Paris a few years back, my friend Angela was on the hunt for the perfect scarf. It had to be timeless, elegant, effortless and chic. Something you can throw on with anything and just be warmer but also look styled. Well…those efforts were futile but twelve years later, I think I found it. Ange!
Undyed and 100% cashmere, this scarf is EVERYTHING. Super soft, warm and timeless. Love it with my wool jacket or casually draped over my favorite shirt. With this piece around my neck, I feel like I’ve finally made it, lol.
WHAT I LIKE: Soft, timeless, warm, lightweight, elegant, effortless, chic.
WHAT I DON’T: 🦗(aka, nothing to complain about!)
LILYSILK accessories review
Heatless Silk Curling Headband And Scrunchie Set | $19
We were excited to try LILYSILK’s Heatless Silk Curling Headband as a more ethical option to the TikTok famous Kitsch Heatless Curling Set, which we also reviewed. Unlike the Kitsch set, which is made from satin polyester and polyurethane sponge (plastic and foam), the LILYSILK curling headband is made from a 100% charmeuse silk outer and a 100% silk inner. It’s also OEKO-TEX Certified. 🤯
WHAT WE LIKE: We tried it and we are excited to report it creates a beautiful big barrel curl. This is a wider, bigger curl than most heatless curling headbands because the barrel is wider in diameter. It’s also longer than most heatless curling headbands, which allows for more hair to be wrapped or for you to bend the ends up to hold hair in place more easily.
WHAT WE DIDN’T: It’s also stiffer than most heatless curling headbands, so it’s not that comfortable to sleep in. However LILYSILK recommends sleeping in it OR day-wearing this curling system—which we found to be the most preferable tactic.
Flounced Silk Night Sleep Cap | $39
I only dry and style my hair 1-2 times a week so to make those efforts last as long as possible, I have been dying to get my hands on a good sleep cap. Trying the LILYSILK Flounced Silk Night Sleep Cap and…it’s working! I wake up and my styled hair is more intact than if I just let my hair free range all night.
Plus, it’s not only a vanity piece. LILYSILK explains, “The silk fabric helps to retain the natural moisture of your skin and hair and stops them from drying out overnight.”
WHAT I LIKE: Helps my hair style / curls look better for longer.
WHAT I DON’T: I feel like I look like I am auditioning for a role on Little House on the Prairie with this on my head, lol. And Nicolle did get a bit of a headache after sleeping in it, even though the elastic isn’t very tight.
LILYSILK Pros and Cons
What we like:
- LILYSILK products are OKEO-TEX Certified.
- At 19-25 mommes, LILYSILK is more durable than most conventional silk products.
- For those with very sensitive skin, check out LILYSILK’s OEKO Certified LILYÁUREA® Natural Gold-Silk Collection, which is undyed natural golden cocoons produced by the offspring of rare wild silkworms, found in Japan, Cambodia and China.
- Silk is naturally biodegradable.
- TerraCycle partnership
- Easy to return / exchange inside 30 days.
- Classic, simple and timeless designs.
What we don’t like:
- Care instructions for their silk products suggest hand wash or machine wash on the most gentle cycle available, but I’m not taking any chances. (Never been more grateful for the hand wash cycle on my Speed Queen.)
- The wrinkles: I probably just need to invest in a steamer because I took a silk shirt and silk pants to get steamed at the cleaners and it was $18. YIKES.
- Shipping can come really fast or it can take a while, but you know what they say, good things come to those who wait, lol.
- Items are on the pricey side (though if you sign up for LILYSILK emails, they often have sales—and TNK has an exclusive discount code…keep scrolling).
- You only get one free return before you have to pay for the return shipping (which can cost up to $20, depending on where you’re shipping from).
LILYSILK promo code + shopping guide
All the products we recommend in this post.
SAVE: Code TNK10 will save you 10% off on orders and TNK20 will save you 20% off on orders over $500. Available to U.S. and international shoppers at LILYSILK.
LILYSILK FAQ
Yes, LILYSILK only uses long fiber mulberry silk (Grade 6A) to make their products (this is considered the best in the biz).
LILYSILK is an OEKO-TEX certified brand with sustainable silk and cashmere options, as well as a clothing recycling program designed to reduce fashion waste.
LILYSILK products are made with sustainable silk and cashmere options. We’ve found the products to be of high quality.
Which LILYSILK item are you most interested in?
TNK Team Note: This article contains affiliate links. TNK uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. TNK stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
