Your Guide To Choosing The Right Satin: Care Tips, Top Brands, & More

Unlike other fibres like cotton, wool, or nylon, satin isn’t actually a fibre — it’s a weave. This weave gives the fabric its signature smooth, shiny surface and glossy finish. The drape is soft, it falls like a dream (that is, if the material’s actually good), and it’s surprisingly durable too. But here’s the thing, not all satin is the same. There are over ten types, each differing by the material used or the weave and finish, which brings me to the next section.

Now, this is where things get perplexing, but also pretty interesting. Satin comes in over ten types, usually categorised by the material used or the kind of weave/finish involved. I’ll save you the boring textbook version and just break down the basics to make identification easier.

Silk Satin: The OG of all satins — super-luxe, unmistakably soft, and shiny enough that you can spot its quality from a mile away.

Synthetic Satin: The more affordable alternative to silk satin. Here, the weave is blended with synthetic fibres like polyester or nylon. It’s durable and mimics the look of silk but doesn’t quite match its finesse.

Now, to help you tell good satin from bad, here are a few quick identifiers:

- A good satin has a natural lustre with a matte reverse side.

- If it feels cool, soft, and buttery-smooth to touch, it’s probably silk satin (aka the good one).

- High-quality satin has a free-flowing drape that’s hard to miss.

- Try a heat test: rub a small section between your fingers — real silk warms up; synthetics don’t.

- And finally, the ring test: pull a piece of fabric through a jewellery ring. Genuine silk glides through easily, while synthetics tend to snag or bunch up.

Washing: Hand washing is always the safest way to go. Use cold water and gently swirl the fabric — no scrubbing or twisting. If you prefer machine washing, turn the garment inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag for extra protection. Use cold water on a gentle cycle and select the no-spin or low-spin option.

Drying: Always air-dry your satin pieces. Lay them flat instead of hanging, as hanging can cause creases and even discolouration. If you absolutely need to use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove the garment while it’s still slightly damp to finish air-drying naturally.

Ironing: Iron satin on a low to medium heat setting and always from the reverse side to preserve its shine. Alternatively, use a steamer — just keep the nozzle at least six inches away from the fabric to prevent any damage.

Uniqlo has always been our (and honestly, everyone’s) go-to for quality basics. While they don’t offer a huge satin range, whatever they do have is more than enough to build a versatile wardrobe. Their satin shirts are crafted from recycled polyester with about 38% elastomultiester, giving them just the right amount of stretch. The dresses, on the other hand, are made with 100% recycled polyester.

Starting Price: INR 990

LBB Picks: Satin Blouse, Satin Pajamas

Social Media: Uniqlo

Pro-Tip: 17 Brands Similar To Uniqlo For Comfortable Basics

If you’re on the hunt for beautifully printed satin pieces, FableStreet is the one to check out. They’ve got dresses and blouses in all kinds of prints, from psychedelic and floral to houndstooth and leopard. The brand experiments a lot with necklines and sleeves, making each piece stand out in its own way. Even better, everything here is reasonably priced, especially considering the quality you get.

Starting Price: INR 554

LBB Picks: Wrap Top, Blazer Dress

Social Media: FableStreet

Anything and everything from Urban Suburban is effortlessly elegant and on point. All those Pinterest-worthy outfits you’ve been saving? They’ve got them all. While they don’t exactly spell out what their satin is made of, you can count on it being great quality. Their slip dresses flow like a dream, and even the more experimental pieces, like a knot skirt, look chic, never cheap.

Starting Price: INR 1,500

LBB Picks: Midi Dress, Scarp Top

Social Media: Urban Suburban

If we’re talking good satin, there’s no way Zara doesn’t make the list. It’s one of the most trusted, foolproof brands — especially if you’re a little sceptical about shopping for this fabric online. The satin they use is incredibly soft, the kind that makes you want to keep touching it, just because. Plus, their product details are always transparent, usually mentioning a blend of recycled polyester and elastane that gives the fabric its luxe feel.

Starting Price: INR 1,500

LBB Picks: Midi Skirt, Mini Dress

Social Media: Zara

Forever New offers satin that feels quite similar to Zara’s, just at slightly higher price points. The real difference, though, lies in the styles. The brand has an impressive range of satin pieces for every occasion imaginable. From cowl and halter silhouettes to those trendy scarf dresses everyone’s loving right now, there’s truly something for everyone.

Starting Price: INR 1,920

LBB Picks: Mirella Wrap Midi Dress, April Open Back Maxi Dress

Social Media: Forever New

Pro-Tip: 8 Best Scarf Dresses We Found Online 

Aroka is... yes, on the expensive side, but honestly, the luxe feel written all over their pieces makes it worth the splurge. Their silhouettes stand out in the best way possible. Beyond the usual satin strappy slip dresses, they offer dual-toned draped skirts and twisted blouses with fairy-like sleeves. Plus, they use Modal satin, which gives their pieces that signature fluidity.

Starting Price: INR 3,990

LBB Picks: Desire Halter Dress, Tyra Slip Dress

Social Media: Aroka

Mango primarily uses 100% polyester for its satin pieces, but trust me, it feels so luxurious to touch; you could easily mistake it for real silk satin. Their styles lean more towards refined workwear, but if you’re building a quiet-luxury wardrobe for yourself, this is a brand worth bookmarking. They also offer pieces in crinkled satin, made from 100% acetate, for those who like a bit more texture.

Starting Price: INR 2,390

LBB Picks: Blouse With Draped Back, Satin Blouse

Social Media: Mango

Unrush is a slow fashion brand you should definitely check out for steady staples. While their entire collection is worth browsing, it’s their satin pieces that truly stand out. The co-ords are one-of-a-kind, and even their heavily flared satin dresses are hard to resist — the fabric quality is so good, it drapes and flows beautifully!

Starting Price: INR 3,977

LBB Picks: Adaa Set in Black, Mor Set In Sangria Pink

Social Media: Unrush