October 8, 2026
How to Choose a Silk Pillowcase
Is there anything better than sinking into bed after a long, full day? Resting your head on a soft pillow, wrapped in smooth sheets, is often the moment you finally switch off. And if you want to elevate that nightly ritual, silk pillowcases are a beautiful upgrade. But how do you choose the one that’s right for you?
Silk has plenty of benefits. Its softness and naturally soothing, restorative fibers make it the perfect partner for better sleep. Still, not every pure silk pillowcase is created equal. A few key criteria make all the difference when it comes to choosing well, and we’ll walk you through each one.
Momme: The First Thing to Check
To choose the right silk pillowcase, start with one essential quality indicator: momme. This traditional unit of measurement, used since imperial times, tells you the weight — and therefore the thickness of the silk — per square meter. The higher the momme, the denser, softer and more durable the fabric… and the more luxurious it feels.
For reference, 1 momme = 4.3056 g/m². Most silk pillowcases on the market range from 10 to 22 momme: below that, silk is thin and delicate; above 19 momme, it gains body, softness and durability.
For a high-quality silk pillowcase that’s durable, easy to care for and built to last, go for 19 or 22 momme. A 19 momme silk pillowcase should have at least 500 threads, and it can last for years as long as you follow the washing and care instructions. 22 momme is the highest rating and corresponds to the finest silk in the world — yet it contains only around 750 threads. You can tell 19 and 22 momme apart simply by how the silk feels to the touch. Compared with 19 momme pillowcases, 22 momme pillowcases have a richer sheen and are even more durable.
A silk pillowcase is considered premium when it’s made from 19 momme, grade 6A mulberry silk. The grade reflects the quality of the silk on a scale from C (lowest) to A (highest). The number that comes with it (up to 6A) refines it even further: 6A is the best quality available.
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OEKO-TEX® CERTIFICATION
In the same pursuit of the best quality, how natural and transparent the fabric is also matters when choosing your silk pillowcase. OEKO-TEX® certified silk bedding is an excellent choice. OEKO-TEX is an international quality label built on several strict technical standards that certify a fabric’s health and environmental credentials. The certification is awarded to companies that use few or no harmful substances in their production.
If you buy your silk pillowcase from an OEKO-TEX certified brand, you can rest easy: your product is authentic, high quality and made to last. The standard guarantees that your pillowcase is free from substances harmful to your health and to the planet, as the label works internationally to protect the environment.
THE WEAVE
It’s also worth looking into the different weaves used to make your pillowcase. The weave is the way the fabric is woven — how the warp and weft threads cross over each other. There are three main weaves: plain, twill and satin, and fabrics are made from different combinations of them.
Satin, for example, is the best-known weave — and also the most delicate. It’s the one used to weave silk. The fabric is glossy and fine on the front and matte on the back; it’s smooth, soft and fluid, which makes it ideal for silk pillowcases. As it’s woven, each thread floats over four or more threads, which is what gives satin its sheen and softness.
Plain weave (also called taffeta) is the oldest and simplest weave: odd and even threads alternate over and under the weft on every pass, creating a large number of crossing points between warp and weft. The fabric has a slightly grainy texture, with no right or wrong side. Plain weave and taffeta share the same structure, but they aren’t made from the same materials.
The Closure: Zipper or Envelope?
Once the technical criteria are covered, let’s move on to the finishing details — starting with the closure. Which closure should you choose for your silk pillowcase? It’s a detail that’s easy to overlook, but it really matters. Zipper or envelope closure?
A silk pillowcase with an envelope closure has two flaps that fold over each other to close it. Your pillow stays snugly in place and the front looks neat — but on the back, you can often see part of the bare pillow. An envelope closure also makes the pillowcase slower to put on than usual. A zipper closure, on the other hand, keeps your pillow fully covered and slips on in seconds.
The Emily's Pillow Difference
At Emily’s Pillow, every detail counts. To guarantee an impeccable finish, we’ve added discreet piping (a fine trim stitched all around the edge of the pillowcase) to every one of our designs.
This extra touch not only helps the pillowcase hold its shape over time, it also gives it a more polished, refined finish.
A small detail that makes all the difference — to the eye and to the touch.
Keep these criteria in mind and you now know exactly how to choose your silk pillowcase. You’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of silk for your skin, your health and your hair — while getting better sleep, too.
