Vietnamese Silk Scarf Guide: How to Tell Real Mulberry Silk
Folk Form AtelierQuick answer: a good Vietnamese silk scarf is 100% mulberry silk of about 16 momme, with a print that looks the same on both sides and a hand-rolled hem. You can test the silk at home in a minute with a burn test. Folk Form scarves are Hangzhou mulberry silk, hand-printed and finished by hand in Vietnam, and every order includes a silk swatch for that test.
Quick facts
| Material | 100% mulberry silk, Hangzhou yarn |
|---|---|
| Weight | 16 momme, about 69 g/m² (supplier specification) |
| Finish | Hand-rolled, hand-stitched edges; colour on both sides |
| Sizes | 22, 26, 36 and 44 inch squares, plus a narrow twilly |
| Made | Hand-printed in Vietnam |
| To the USA | Free over $90, import duty paid, 10 to 18 business days, 30-day returns |
What do "100% mulberry silk" and "16 momme" mean?
Mulberry silk comes from silkworms fed only on mulberry leaves, which gives a fine, even thread. Momme is a weight measure for silk fabric. 16 momme is about 69 grams per square metre, enough weight to drape softly without feeling thin. Both figures come from our material supplier's specification, and we state them as that.
How can you tell real silk at home?
Use the swatch that comes with every Folk Form order. Hold a few threads to a flame over a plate. Real silk smells like burnt hair and leaves a soft black ash that crushes between your fingers. Polyester melts into a hard bead. It takes a minute, and you can do it before you give the scarf to anyone.
What should the hem and print look like?
Look at the corners first. A hand-rolled hem is slightly rounded and stitched in a thread that matches the background. The print should look the same on both sides of the fabric, not show through grey on the back.
What do the heritage prints mean?
The designs are drawn from objects of the imperial citadel of Thang Long, from the Ly and Tran dynasties: a dragon from the stonework, a phoenix from a temple roof, lotus ponds, two mandarin ducks from a palace tile. Dragon Dreams carries four dragon heads turned toward a lotus-shaped leaf. Imperial Lotus draws on the lotus ponds of the royal court. Each product page explains the meaning of its design.
Which size should you choose?
For hair, a bag or the neck, 22 to 26 inches is easy to wear every day. A 36 inch square ties many ways, and 44 inches wraps across the shoulders. Our silk scarf size guide shows each size on a model. If you want something narrower, see how to wear a silk twilly.
Is a Vietnamese silk scarf a good gift?
It is a gift that does not need a size or a guess about taste, and each design carries a story the giver can tell. Our gift sets for mom arrive in a box with a card and a silk swatch. If it is not right for the person who receives it, we offer a gift exchange on US orders under $100.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vietnamese silk good quality?
It depends on the yarn and the finish. Ours is 100% mulberry silk of about 16 momme, printed and finished by hand in Vietnam, and we give a swatch so you can test it yourself.
How can I tell if a scarf is real silk?
Do a burn test with a few loose threads. Real silk smells like burnt hair and leaves a crushable black ash. Polyester melts into a hard bead.
What does 16 momme mean?
Momme measures the weight of silk fabric. 16 momme is about 69 grams per square metre, a medium weight that drapes well.
What size silk scarf should I buy?
Choose 22 to 26 inches for hair or a bag, 36 inches for the neck and many ways of tying, and 44 inches for the shoulders.
Does Folk Form ship to the United States?
Yes. Orders ship from Hanoi. US shipping is free over $90, import duty is paid for you, delivery takes 10 to 18 business days, and returns are open for thirty days.
