There are many types of silk and different grades from the smooth almost sheer types used in lingerie to heavy weights used for draperies, suits and upholstery. A good suit or upholstery grade of silk will wear like iron and can take alot of abuse.In natural silk the quality depends on the length of the fibers and how well it's cleaned during the manufacture. There are also alot of poly "silks" that immitate the feel of the lighter silks with the heavier weight and, frankly, the way people think of silk is of the light weight silk or the poly immitations. Natural silk is superior to the poly immitations particularly in the heavier weights and has a rougher texture.