So this might be old news for some of you (that Grana has changed the silk of most of their items). But for those who don't know yet, Grana is now using 16mm crepe de chine silk which is 2mm thicker than their original 14mm crepe de chine. BUT (and this is a big but here) they are no longer doing double layer silk. So it might seem like one step forward but it's actually two steps back. And the perfect example of this is what they did to my all time favorite Grana product: the silk ankle pants.
So the original silk ankle pants (which they still have so go get those while they're still available!) is made of double layered 14mm silk. I reviewed those pants here. Now they have the new silk flat front ankle pants which are almost like the original in style, except they have a flat front. And they are made of a single layer of 16mm silk. You can definitely tell the difference, the biggest one being that now you have very obvious VPL with the single layer flat front pants.
Ok so not a flattering picture but just wanted to show proof of the VPL (though I'm sure most of you would have just gladly taken my word for it).
{Wearing: Tradlands The Faroe top (reviewed here), Grana Flat Front Silk Ankle Pants, Everlane The Day Heel, and Hermes Lindy 30 (similar here)}
On the positive side, I do like the cleaner look of the flat front pants (instead of the pleats of the old silk ankle pants). They're able to achieve the flat front but keep the waist band elastic by having a non-stretchy flat waistband in the front. In general, this does make the pants a bit more fitted and tight.
As for the silk material I can't tell the difference between the 14mm silk and the newer 16mm silk. But I definitely miss that extra layer of silk. I think my perfect pair of silk pants would be the styling of this flat front silk pants but in the double-layered silk. And well I don't think that's going to happen because a reader had emailed Grana asking them why they went with a single layer for most of their new silk offerings. They replied because now that they're using a thicker silk material it's adequate for a single later. Eh, I don't think so Grana. Until it goes back to double layered silk, I don't think I'll be purchasing any new silk items from Grana.
But if you want to purchase any of their remaining double silk items (check the 'Details & Care' section, it will tell you if it's double-layered or not) and you're a first time Grana customer you can 10% off your first purchase (referral link). And you can find all my other Grana reviews here.