Y'all know how I feel regarding making a clear distinction between silk and satin, but just in case you haven't seen me talk about it, let me screenshot a tweet.
That said, I understand why a lot of folks conflate the two. Even retailers and brands (who really should know better) often use silk and satin interchangeably. Unfortunately, this folly can result in misplaced expectations.
Alas, it is the truth that when you see something exceptionally inexpensive (say, under $50) that professes to be silk, it probably isn't. I don't want to say anything with 100% certainty, but it is likely - very likely - that the item is in fact polyester satin. And that's fine! There's nothing wrong with not-silk satin. In fact, one of the perks of artificial fibers is that they're comparatively easy to care for. You can just pop polyester into the washing machine (cold cycle only, please), and then it's good to wear again! Easy peasy.
I love all brands in this article for offering loungewear options that are washable, easy to wear, almost always less expensive than real silk, and easy to care for. Most importantly, they still feel lovely against the skin (if you've read my book, you know I'm talking about the "hand" of the fabric right now).
Every piece listed here is under $100 (in fact all of them are under $80), and several are on sale. While the items have been selected for not being silk (and, in one case, being a silk/poly blend), you'll always want to check the care instructions for yourself. If there are any doubts at all, handwash. Also, since lingerie doesn't have an expiration date, who if something from last season is on sale?
Hope you enjoy my picks! And, as always, if there's a company you feel we should know about, please include them in the comments!