Everyone loves wearing silk sarees. The rich and luxurious feeling that silks give us feels plush. Silks is a versatile fabric that you can wear at festivals and party. Although the motifs and embellishments on the saree decide its wear ability-quotient for a particular place or occasion.

In the past, silks were only available to rich people. AS days are going by, silks are becoming increasingly available and easy on pockets.

Have you wondered about the reason for it?

It is certainly not that silk threads have gotten cheaper! The real reason for silks being more reasonably priced is the emergence of art silk.

What are Art Silk Sarees?

The word ‘art silk’ actually stands for ‘artificial silk’ which is made with artificial fabrics like rayon. 

Art silk sarees are a lot cheaper in the market and are pretty easily available. These silks are less soft than the original silk. They are also less porous and aren’t the most skin-friendly. 

There are three main varieties of artificial silk that you will find amply available in the market. They are;

• Rayon
• Polyester
• Mercerized cotton

1. Rayon is a regenerated version of cellulose fiber from substances like wood or other agricultural products. 

2. Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from things like coal, petroleum water, etc. 

3. Mercerized Cotton:- Cotton has done artificial treatment to make itself look lustrous and imitate the properties of silk.

Advantages of Artificial Silk

• Artificial silk sarees are lightweight
• A good quality artificial saree can be comfortable
• Buying artificial silk is more affordable
• Artificial silks look as plush as real silks
• Artificial silks do not trap body heat and keep you comfortable
• Does not wrinkle easily
• Easier to maintain

Disadvantages of Wearing Artificial Silks

• Can be coarse in texture
• It might look plush, but will not feel as plush as pure silk sarees
• The fabric is not as long-lasting as real silk
• In wet conditions, the threads of artificial silks can be weak. 

Original Silk Sarees

The threads of an original silk sarees are found in nature. They are not artificial fabric. Silk sarees in India are made from one of the four varieties of silk threads that you would find. 

The names of the naturally found silk threads are as follows;

• Mulberry
• Muga
• Tussar
• Eri
• Mulberry 

Among all the silk threads, the mulberry silk is the costliest. It is mainly found in the southern part of India and is used to make Kanjivaram silk sarees and Mysore silks. 

Muga

The Muga silks are a magnificent golden variety of silk that is found in the Assam region. These silks are strong to make the traditional Assamese attire called the Mekhala Chador. The fantastic quality of Muga silk is that it gets stronger and shinier with every wash.

Tussar Silk

The Tussar silk is also called the ‘wild silk’ as these silkworms are only found in the deep wilderness of Jharkhand, Up, and Madhya Pradesh. These silks have a texture. The color of Tussar silk threads can range from beige to pure white. 

Eri

The Eri silk is also known as ‘ahimsa’ silk. It is called so because the silkworms are not killed in the process of extracting the silk threads. These are rather coarse and are used in making upholsteries. 

Advantages of Wearing Real Silk

• Looks and feels plush
• Lasts longer than artificial silk sarees
• Pure silk sarees are easier to drape than artificial silk sarees
• Very stylish and traditional at the same time
• You can wear pure silk for any occasion
• Pure silk sarees exude grace and elegance

Disadvantages of Wearing Real Silk

• Pure silk sarees are costly
• Real silk sarees crumble easily
• Silk sarees are tougher to maintain
• Cruelty-factor is involved as the threads are obtained by killing the silkworms