Shopping for a Silk Comforter

So, you're sold on the idea of a silk comforter, but have no idea how or where to buy one? Although there is an increased demand for silk comforters in the US, it can still be a challenge to find one in your local shop. Luckily, there are many online merchants selling a wide variety of silk comforters. How do you choose the right comforter for you, and the right merchant to buy it from?

First, look for a well-established online merchant, one with a professional and updated website. Since they have invested the time and effort to build their website, business and reputation, they are likely to provide better products and services. Second, look for a merchant with a reasonable return policy or satisfaction guarantee. Third, does the merchant provide detailed photos and descriptions of the products? Finally, does the merchant provide customer reviews of their products or customer service? Reviews posted by past or returning customers are especially helpful. A sign of a good, reputable merchant is one that offers a small silk sample for review, before making your purchase.

Next, know what you want to buy. There are many meanings for "silk comforter" - silk-filled, silk-covered, or both. We strongly recommend 100% silk comforters - with both an outer shell of silk, and inner silk floss filling. Although cotton outer shells are more affordable, cotton does not have the same hand-feel, temperature-adjusting, or hypoallergenic properties as silk, so you would be losing those benefits.

What weight should you buy? This depends a lot on where you live, your own personal sleeping style, and how warm or cool you set your thermostat in your room. A good merchant offers different comforter weights to choose from, usually a lighter weight for the summer and a heavier weight for the spring and fall. The two are easily combined and layered to keep you snuggly warm during the winter.

Merchants may quote the comforter's weight as follows: by fill weight (the weight of the silk floss filling), or the total weight of the comforter. As a rule of thumb, get a one-and-a-half pound fill-weight comforter for nighttime temps around 68F or above, and add 1.5 pounds for every 3 degrees below 68. Adjust these according to how easily you get cold. See the chart below:

Keep in mind when you receive your comforter, silk comforters are much thinner than down duvets of equivalent warmth.