Do Silk Shirts Need To Be Ironed?

Yes, the answer is yes.
Silk fiber has a delicate fiber structure however it does have a smooth sericin layer which makes it lustrous. Silk fibers tend to crease when they are transported long distance because they are relatively weak. The creases are problematic for three reasons: The creases hide the rich natural drape of the fabric contributing to its beauty; with long term wear of silk garments, any creases can develop into folds; folds can eventually damage the fiber structure of silk products. Ironing is not a strenuous task; it is a reconditioning process required to correct and retain the essential beauty of silk - it allows the silk to have its natural smooth drape, and brings forth the beauty of dyed silk leveraging the natural beauty of dyed silk pigments and colors to be realized in their rich character.

But don't worry-ironing silk is not as daunting as it may seem. The key lies in the method and temperature.

Iron selection and temperature control:
Always use a steam iron and set the temperature to "silk" or low (usually no higher than 150°C). If your iron does not have a steam function, place a slightly damp, thin cotton cloth over the garment before ironing, to prevent direct high heat from contacting the silk protein fibers.

Guidelines for Ironing:
When ironing, you will want to glide the iron lightly without pushing down too hard on any one area. If you are using a steam iron, you will want to keep it about 1 cm away from the surface of the fabric so the steam can penetrate the fabric and relax the wrinkle. Use the tip of the ironing board to help with certain details such as collars and cuffs.