If you're searching for a silk pillowcase, bonnet, or set of silk sheets in Latvia, you've probably noticed that the word "silk" gets used loosely online - anything smooth and shiny can end up labelled that way. Genuine mulberry silk is a specific material with specific numbers behind it, and knowing what those numbers mean is the easiest way to avoid paying silk prices for something that isn't silk at all. Here's what to actually check before you buy, plus a short, honest look at who we are and why SilkWide is worth considering if you're shopping in Latvia.
In this guide:
Why Silk Quality Varies So Much
"Silk" and "satin" get used almost interchangeably in product listings, and that's part of the problem. Satin is a weave - it can be made from polyester, nylon, or real silk. Mulberry silk is a fibre - the protein filament produced by silkworms fed exclusively on mulberry leaves, which is what gives real silk its smooth, breathable, temperature-regulating properties. A product can be labelled "satin" without containing a single thread of actual silk, and a description that just says "silky" or "silk-like" is usually telling you exactly that, if you read it closely.
In a small market like Latvia, this matters more than it might somewhere more saturated: there's less competitive pressure forcing every seller to spell out the details, and a shopper comparing two "silk pillowcases" at very different prices has no easy way to tell which one is genuine. The fix is simple, though - check three or four specific things before you buy, rather than relying on the word "silk" alone.
What to Check Before You Buy
Whatever you're buying - a pillowcase, a bonnet, a set of sheets - four things tell you more than the word "silk" ever will:
- The fibre content. It should say 100% mulberry silk, not "silk-like," "faux silk," or a blend. Our own Silk Pillowcases collection, for example, is 100% mulberry silk charmeuse on every listing - there's nothing to interpret.
- The Momme number. This measures the fabric's density and durability; we cover it in the next section.
- A real certification, named and checkable. Not a vague "lab tested" badge with no actual standard behind it.
- A clear returns and shipping policy. A seller confident in their product will let you try it and send it back if it's not right.
Pro Tip: Before buying anywhere, search the product page for the actual Momme number and the words "100% mulberry silk." If neither shows up anywhere on the listing, treat the word "silk" in the title with real scepticism - it's a strong sign the fabric is a synthetic satin, not silk at all.
We've written a longer breakdown of this exact checklist in our guide on what to know before buying a silk pillowcase, if you want to go deeper on any one point.
Momme and Weave, Explained
Momme (mm) measures how densely a silk fabric is woven - roughly, how much 100 square yards of it weighs in pounds. A higher number generally means a thicker, more durable fabric; a lower number means a lighter fabric that wears out faster. At SilkWide, pillowcases, bonnets, scrunchies, and our other accessories are woven from 23 Momme mulberry silk. Our sheets and jacquard bedding use 28 Momme silk from a different manufacturer - bedding benefits from the extra weight, and the two product lines simply come from different mills. Neither number is "better" in the abstract; they're matched to what each product needs to do.
Weave matters too. Charmeuse - the weave used for our pillowcases and accessories - has a lustrous front and a matte back, and drapes with the soft, fluid feel most people picture when they think of silk. Satin, used for our sheets, is similar but slightly crisper. Jacquard, used in some of our bedding sets, is woven with a raised pattern. None of these are fake silk - they're genuine construction differences, and worth knowing so a product description reads as information rather than marketing noise.
OEKO-TEX and Other Certification Claims
Certifications are only useful if you know what they actually test. SilkWide products are certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which tests the finished fabric for harmful substances - certain dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and other chemicals that have no business touching your skin for eight hours a night. It's a real, independently audited standard, and it's worth asking any seller for proof of it, not just a mention in passing.
What it is not is a claim about organic farming or growing conditions - that's what GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies, and it's a different thing entirely. We're straightforward about this: SilkWide currently holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and does not hold GOTS certification. If a seller's silk products carry a GOTS claim, it's worth asking to see the actual certificate rather than taking it on faith - and the same goes for any certification claim from any seller, including us.
Buying Local: The SilkWide Story
SilkWide is a family business based in Riga, founded in 2024 by co-founders Armīns Vilmenietis and Diāna Bilaņina. We started with pillowcases and have since grown into bonnets, sleep masks, scrunchies, hair curlers, headbands, exfoliating gloves, and a Silk Bedding line - sheets, pillows, and duvets - made to order in Germany with a typical lead time of 2-3 weeks. Since launching, we've worked with more than 3,000 customers and collected over 250 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5.
Shipping within Latvia is free from €30, so a single accessory - a silk bonnet or a silk scrunchie - is often enough on its own to qualify. We ship across Europe and worldwide too, though Latvia is where we're based and where most of our customers are. If you're comparing sellers, we'd simply ask that you apply the same checklist above to us that you'd apply to anyone else - the Momme number, the fibre content, the certification, the returns policy. We're confident it holds up.
FAQ
What's the difference between silk and satin?
Silk is a fibre; satin is a weave. Satin can be made from silk, polyester, or other fibres, so a product labelled "satin" isn't necessarily silk at all. Always check for "100% mulberry silk" specifically, not just "satin."
Is 23 Momme good for a silk pillowcase?
Yes. 23 Momme is a well-balanced weight for pillowcases and accessories - dense enough to be durable and smooth, without the extra thickness that sheets and bedding need. SilkWide's pillowcases, bonnets, and scrunchies are all woven from 23 Momme mulberry silk.
Does OEKO-TEX Standard 100 mean the silk is organic?
No. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the finished fabric for harmful substances - it doesn't certify organic farming methods. That's what GOTS covers, which SilkWide does not currently hold. We're upfront about the distinction rather than letting the two blur together.
Does SilkWide ship for free within Latvia?
Yes - orders within Latvia ship free from €30, and most single accessories already meet that threshold on their own.
