The Best Machine Washable Silk Clothes for Travel | SmarterTravel

Silk is a naturally temperature-regulating fabric that can help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Plus, it drapes fabulously and looks luxurious. However, silk has previously gotten a bad reputation as a high-maintenance fabric that must be dry-cleaned, striking it off many travelers’ packing lists. 

Fortunately, machine-washable silk has hit the clothing market, making this fabric something you can wear every day (or multiple days in a row on a trip). Silk clothes pack down small, are lightweight, and can help dress up a travel outfit. I tested some of the most popular machine-washable silk clothes to find out if they’re worthy of a spot in your suitcase. 

How We Tested

I washed each item of clothing featured here according to the directions on the care label, which meant tossing them in my washing machine on a delicate clothing setting with cold water and hanging them to dry. Then, I wore each piece of clothing to evaluate how it looked, felt, and held up to long days on the road. 

Quince Washable Stretch Silk Midi Shirt Dr

Quince is probably the most popular brand for washable silk clothing, offering a large variety of different styles in the fabric. Quince’s silk pieces are all priced affordably and were the most inexpensive items that I tried. However, the luxe fabric looks like it should come with a much higher price tag. 

I tested the Washable Stretch Silk Midi Shirt Dress, a perfect travel dress. The adjustable tie waist gives you a custom fit, and the midi length is very flattering. I’ll be packing this dress for all my summer trips—it’s lightweight, and the side slits help with airflow, making it comfortable even on the hottest days.

The shirtdress design with real buttons makes this dress super versatile, so you can truly wear it for day or night. The silk fabric held up very well to washing, maintaining its soft feel. 

M.M. LaFleur Vicky Tank

M.M. LaFleur was launched to fill a hole in the women’s workwear market and offer stylish and easy-to-wear clothing, and the brand’s washable silk Vicky Tank definitely lives up to that promise. This tank top features a scoop neck that’s not too low and a relaxed silhouette that looks good tucked or untucked. My favorite feature of the Vicky Tank was the built-in snaps that keep bra snaps in place. 

This sleeveless shirt would be perfect to bring on a business trip. It looks great both under a blazer and worn on its own. 

The Vicky Tank held up very well from machine washing. The care instructions recommend giving the shirt a quick steam to bring back the classic, smooth feel of silk, but I achieved the same effect by hanging the tank in the bathroom while I showered. 

Everlane Washable Clean Silk Relaxed Shirt

Everlane’s Washable Clean Silk Relaxed Shirt deserves a permanent spot in your travel wardrobe because of its versatility. Wear it tucked in, untucked, buttoned, or unbuttoned as an extra layer—this classic button-down looks good no matter what. The relaxed fit makes this shirt more comfortable for long travel days, and the traditional point collar allows you to dress this top up as needed. 

The shirt is made from Everlane’s clean silk, which is dyed with bluesign-approved dyes and crafted in a LEED-certified factory. When washed on the delicate cycle and air dried, the shirt emerged looking and feeling as good as it did pre-wash. 

Fishers Finery Mulberry Silk Robe

If you’re staying in a vacation rental instead of a hotel, a robe is an underrated piece of clothing to pack. I always bring along Fishers Finery’s Mulberry Silk Robe, which packs down extremely small. 

Made from 100 percent pure mulberry silk, the robe comes with a mesh wash bag that you can toss the robe in and wash on the delicate or hand wash cycle. I ran it through my machine in the bag on the delicate cycle, and the robe looked as good as if I had dry-cleaned it.

The robe is well-designed, with an inner modesty tie for extra security, an attached belt that won’t get lost, and pockets. 

Quince Washable Silk Pajama Shorts

Upgrade your travel sleepwear to washable silk, like Quince’s Washable Silk Pajama Shorts. These lightweight shorts will keep you cool in even the hottest hotel room, and the silk fabric is extra kind to skin, helping to keep you comfortable. They also pack down smaller than any other pair of pajamas I’ve ever had, which I love.

Quince recommends washing the silk pajama shorts inside out in a garment bag on a delicate or gentle cycle, which I did. They emerged unwrinkled and ready to wear.