Satin Shoes
Satin shoes are probably one of the more luxurious types of ladies shoes not just in the United Kingdom but also around the world. Good quality satin shoes are also known to cost quite a bit which has to do with the quality of the satin used on the shoe. Satin is a fabric that is often confused with silk for good reason.
They both have a high gloss finish and both are very soft fabrics. However, what really sets the two apart is the fact that satin is a purely man-made creation while silk is entirely natural (from the silkworm). Satin is a very old and well documented type of fabric. It dates back thousands of years and is thought to have originated from China. Its name is a throwback to “sateen”, which is a fabric made from silk from the Middle Ages. Satin on the other hand, is a type of weaving technique that produces the qualities of the fabric. Firstly, the materials used are usually a blend of silk polyester as well as nylon. The addition of silk does help with the soft finish that satin almost always has. However, these days there are a lot of variants that do not make use of silk.
This is probably to lower the cost of satin products on the market but at the same time it probably cannot be called true satin. But in the end, profits are a never important concern for many manufacturers out there. It must be said that most that use cheaper satin are generic brands. Top brands like Christian Loubotin and the like almost always use real satin.
The weave that is used to produce satin involves limiting the interlacings in the final product. The low amount of interlacing does a few things to the fabric. Firstly, the fabric has a shiny finish. Secondly, it makes the fabric very soft. It is these qualities that has ensured that there is a constant demand for it worldwide. Due to its naturally luxuriant nature, it was only affordable to those in positions of power or members of royalty in the past.
When it comes to shoes however, the one type of footwear that has had a long history of using this fabric is ballet shoes. Today however, the fabric is used on just about anything from high heels, kitten heels, pumps, boots as well as trainers. Such is the appeal of satin shoes today that it continues to be in demand. Because of its luxurious nature, they are commonly used in formal events such as weddings. In fact, a good percentage of ladies satin shoes on the market in the United Kingdom are intended as bridal footwear.
But here are a few downsides to the fabric. Firstly, it will lose its shine over time. This is unavoidable. Also, they tend to wear out quite a bit quicker than other fabrics including leather and canvas. Lastly, satin shoes tend to smudge easily. For that reason, buying yourself a pair also means taking good care of them. You generally want to avoid wet conditions as this may stain the shoe. Additionally, you may want to invest in a good satin cleaning kit to ensure you prolong the life of your shoe.
