I’m not sure if the sheen of these sheets translates in a photograph but in my bedroom the reflective iridescence is unmistakable. And the touch? Exquisite. Now that I’ve slept on these silk sheets, or rather Cilque sheets, for a week I’m definitely a convert. There’s nothing like the cool glide of the fabric on your skin as you slip between these sheets; this is what luxury feels like.
Cilque is a young Canadian company founded by 27-year-old Samantha Maker. The abstruce spelling of the brand name — my brain consistently sees clique — is a function of internet reality; silk.com was claimed long ago so Maker settled for this quirky homophone.
When Cilque asked me to give their sheets a try I was keen. I’d actually been on the lookout for a quality sheet set in ivory to go with my crewel bedspread; it so happens that Cilque’s creme brulee colour is a perfect match. And although the sheets are cool on the skin, everything I’ve read about silk’s thermal properties suggests they’ll be cozy and warm in the winter, too. Silk is nature’s strongest fiber and these well-made sheets, consisting of 19 momme weight Chinese silk, are machine washable, although they must be hung to dry after a short tumble on low heat.
The only caveat I’ll put forward is that Cilque sheets are so, well, silky, that it’s hard to keep them tucked in; the bedspread wants to slide right off and the top sheet likes to glide out from beneath the mattress. But believe me, on a warm summer night, it’s a small price to pay for the cool comfort.
Maker got hooked on silk after working for Sony Pictures and MGM and learning that many Hollywood stars travel with their own silk pillowcases because the fabric doesn’t crease the skin the way cotton can and it’s easier on the hair resulting in milder bedhead. All I know is that they feel fantastic — I couldn’t bear the thought of sleeping in pajamas and denying my skin the pleasure of slipping between these heavenly sheets.
At $449 for a king or queen set, Cilque sheets are priced to compete with good quality cotton bedding; pillowcases are $69 a pair and shipping is free.
June 9th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
The sheets look lovely, but your bedspread is truly divine.
June 19th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
a note about this:
“…many Hollywood stars travel with their own silk pillowcases because the fabric doesn’t crease the skin the way cotton can and it’s easier on the hair resulting in milder bedhead.”
it has nothing to do with the fibre of one’s linens and everything to do with weave.
SATIN is what you need to keep skin from creasing and hair from frizzing. the weave of satin is tighter than other plain weaves as it has more squares per inch. this is why higher thread count sheets feel “silkier” to the touch.
it doesn’t matter if the satin fabric is made from cotton, silk or cheap polyester, ANY satin will do!
it’s a common misconception that silk is what you need…