Buying Silk & Textiles: What to Choose and Where to Shop

How to choose

Real silk has a job to do in your suitcase: it is light, packs flat, and reads unmistakably Chinese. When choosing, check the fabric content label — genuine mulberry silk is marked 100% silk (真丝) or with a silk mark. Rub the fabric: real silk warms quickly in your hand and has a subtle, uneven sheen; polyester imitations feel slippery and look uniformly shiny.

For scarves and garments, decide between ready-made pieces (fixed prices, quality you can inspect) and custom tailoring (a Shanghai qipao takes days and at least one fitting). In wholesale markets, bargaining is expected; in brand flagships and department stores, prices are fixed.

Budget guide

We have not verified current shelf prices for specific products — confirm in store. As a rule of thumb, plain silk scarves from market stalls cost far less than branded or hand-embroidered pieces; custom-tailored qipaos are priced by fabric grade and workmanship, and you should agree on the total before the first fitting. Ask whether the quoted price includes linings, buttons, and alterations.