document: Silk shirts prove immune to recession as sales soar It may not be edgy , but shops are having to restock the wardrobe staple to keep pace with demand Its design is neither edgy nor new , but one item of clothing is proving immune to the economic fallout . The silk shirt has conquered every kind of wardrobe , and now retailers are urgently restocking to keep up with demand . '' `` It is a huge trend , '' '' said Jane Shepherdson , chief executive of Whistles . '' `` Sales are up 200 % for us , and it 's massive for all retailers at the moment . '' '' At mywardrobe.com , buying teams are also reporting phenomenal sales and have reacted by drastically increasing their orders . Such hasty recalibration of stock levels reveals that , while industry watchers had anticipated the trend , which started last autumn , the success of the silk shirt has gone way beyond expectations . Ruth Chapman , owner of Matches , a small chain of luxury boutiques , said she had noticed a correlation between the recession and the silk shirt 's success . '' `` We have found that the current economy really focuses the mind of our customers . They are spending , but they are looking for the best possible design and fabrics and something that will stand the test of time . A silk blouse offers all these things . We can not keep them on the floor at the moment and having just finished the buy for next autumn , they are not going away . '' '' On Friday in central London the silk shirt was everywhere . Indeed Erin Gunn , a 24-year-old sales adviser , was wearing two . '' `` Both are by Acne : the one on top was # 125 from the Outlet and the one underneath was # 180 . I love how comfy and airy they are while still being smart . '' '' Namha Sekhri , a student , also admitted owning several . '' `` I have about five or six . I love them because they 're elegant and feminine , and can be the centrepiece of your outfit , '' '' she said . Unlike some of the more niche trends that the fashion industry often promotes , silk shirts have a broad demographic appeal . '' `` It 's across the board , '' '' Shepherdson said . '' `` Women in their early 20s are wearing them buttoned right up to the neck , while women in their 50s have a few buttons open and wear a piece of jewellery with it . '' '' Last year 's relaunch of the Equipment label , a brand started in the 1980s by Christian Restoin - partner of the ex-editor of French Vogue , Carine Roitfeld - helped kickstart the trend . The label 's signature silk blouses with two front pockets , which cost over # 200 , are seen as the pinnacle of the look , while cult brand Hamilton-Paris 's collection revolves around the silk shirt . And yet when incomes are squeezed , Shepherdson said : '' `` They can be all things to all people ; they go with everything , either at work or an evening event , so they represent great value . '' '' Silk shirt devotee Bridget Cass , a 58-year-old charity worker , yesterday confirmed the longevity of this trend - and its potential pitfalls . '' `` I inherited this shirt from my mother , who inherited it from my grandmother . I have four or five in this style and they are incredibly easy to wear . I do hate that they crease and stain so easily , though . '' ''
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