After the holidays, many women start questioning fabrics rather than styles. A dress may look right, but still feel uncomfortable halfway through the day. The challenge isn’t choosing the “best” fabric—it’s understanding how different fabrics behave in real winter routines.
Quick answer:
Silk and cotton both work well for everyday winter dresses, but in different ways. Silk adapts more easily to body temperature and movement, while cotton offers structure and predictability. The better choice depends on how long the dress is worn and how active the day is.
In practice:
Fabric reveals itself over time. A dress that feels fine in the morning may feel restrictive, cold, or heavy by afternoon. This is usually less about fit and more about how the fabric responds to heat, layering, and movement.
If you’ve ever loved how a dress looks but avoided wearing it on busy days, fabric behaviour is often the reason.
How silk behaves during a full winter day
Silk is responsive. It warms with the body, moves easily, and rarely feels rigid. This makes it especially comfortable for long indoor days, dinners, or situations where temperature changes throughout the day.
Because silk drapes rather than resists movement, it often feels lighter and less noticeable the longer it’s worn.
At Dress by Vicky, we often see women describe silk dresses as “easier than expected,” especially when they’re worn for many hours rather than just an evening.
How cotton behaves in winter routines
Cotton offers stability. It holds shape, feels familiar, and tends to feel reassuring at the start of the day. For structured routines—errands, walking, commuting—cotton can feel dependable.
However, cotton is less adaptive than silk. Over longer periods, stiffness or weight can become more noticeable, especially when layered.
This difference is why comfort becomes such a deciding factor in January, when dressing shifts from moments to movement:
Why Comfort Becomes More Important Than Style in January.
Why neither fabric is “better”
The most important distinction isn’t silk versus cotton—it’s duration.
- Shorter days or active mornings often suit cotton well
- Long indoor hours or extended wear tend to favour silk
Understanding this difference helps explain why some dresses quietly disappear from rotation while others are worn repeatedly.
This pattern is closely linked to how women decide what stays in their wardrobe after the holidays:
How Women Actually Decide What to Keep Wearing After the Holidays.
What to notice next time you get dressed
Instead of asking whether a fabric feels nice, January invites a more practical question:
- How does this feel after several hours?
The answer usually predicts whether the dress will become a regular choice or an occasional one.
Questions women actually ask
Is silk too delicate for everyday winter wear?
Not necessarily. When lined and well-cut, silk can be surprisingly practical for long days indoors.
Does cotton always feel more comfortable?
Cotton often feels comfortable at first, but may feel heavier or less adaptive over time.
Should I avoid silk in colder months?
No. Silk regulates temperature well, especially in heated indoor spaces.
At Dress by Vicky, what we’ve learned is that fabric choice quietly shapes confidence—long before style ever does.
This is why our collections are built around how dresses behave throughout a real day, not just how they appear at first glance.
Explore dresses designed for long, real-life wear:
→ Dresses with Sleeves
