Wedding Dresses Fabric
Fabrics for Wedding Dresses
The overall appearance of a wedding gown is made up of many factors. The fabric chosen can make a dramatic difference to your wedding dress. Fabrics all have different qualities that effect the drape, and cut of a wedding gown. Some fabrics hug the body, and give a soft silhouette while others may have more body and are suited to a more tailored design.
Silk fabrics are undoubtedly the most desired and cherished for wedding gowns, and have lustre and luxury. Satin, duchesse satin, charmeuse, shantung, chiffon, organza all can be woven from silk but will behave very differently. All of these fabrics can be made of other fibres, such as polyester or nylon and will have similar properties at a more affordable price.
Below is a list of some popular fabric for wedding gowns with some explanations of the qualities.
Brocade
Softer, lighter than satin.
Surface: Woven Pattern
Fibre: Silk, polyester
Weight: medium, Heavy
Drape: Semi Stiff
Best for: Structured wedding gowns, A Line, Column, Mother of the Bride
Charmeuse Satin
Softer, lighter than satin.
Surface: Semi sheen
Fibre: Silk, polyester
Weight: Light
Drape: Soft
Best for: Unstructured wedding gowns, flowing styles. Empire, Mermaid
Chiffon
Drapey, sheer fabric not as heavy as georgette.
Surface: Sheer, translucent
Fibre: Silk, rayon, polyester, nylon
Weight: Light
Drape: Soft, fluid
Best for: Overskirts, layered wedding gowns, sheer sleeves. Ballgown, Empire,
Crepe
Slightly wrinkled appearance, heavier than georgette.
Surface: Textured
Fibre: Silk, acetate, rayon
Weight: Light
Drape: Soft
Best for: Flowing wedding gowns, soft silhouettes. Ballgown, Empire, Mermaid
Damask
Pattern is the same colour as the fabric.
Surface: Dull jacquard design
Fibre: Silk, cotton
Weight: Medium
Drape: Semi stiff
Best for: Bodices, tailored wedding gowns, shrugs, jackets. A Line, Column,
Duchess Satin
A beautiful heavy fabric with lustrous rich finish. Also know as Bridal Satin
Surface: Glossy, very lustrous surface with a dull back
Fibre: Silk or silk/rayon blend
Weight: Medium
Drape: Semi Stiff
Best for: Tailored silhouette, simple formal wedding gowns, excellent base for embellishments. A Line, Ballgown, Column, Mermaid
Dupion
Heavier, stiffer than satin.
Surface: Semi sheen, smooth
Fibre: Silk, polyester
Weight: Medium
Drape: Semi stiff
Best for: Structured styles, suits, jackets. A Line, Ballgown, Column,
Georgette
Light and floaty as a top layer it forms a soft silhouette.
Surface: Sheer with a slight crepe finish.
Fibre: Silk or polyester
Weight: Light
Drape: Soft, floaty
Best for: Layered wedding gowns. Ballgown, Empire, Mermaid
Knit Fabric
Comfortable, yet stable enough to hold a tailored shape.
Surface: Matte
Fibre: 38% Wool, 38% Acrylic 24%Rayon
Weight: Medium
Drape: Soft
Best for: Tailored Suits Mother of the Bride outfits
Organza
Crisp, sheer fabric for top layer or inserts
Surface: Sheer, smooth finish
Fibre: Silk, polyester, nylon
Weight: Light
Drape: Crisp
Best for: Layered wedding gowns, veils, trains full layered skirts. Ballgown, Column
Peach Skin
Smooth, finely woven Micro fiber
Surface: Smooth, soft
Fibre: Silk, polyester,
Weight: Medium
Drape: Soft
Best for: Mother of the Bride outfits, Empire line, Column
Satin
In between charmeuse and dupion.
Surface: Lustrous, smooth. Matte satin has a dull sheen.
Fibre: Silk, polyester
Weight: Heavy
Drape: Soft
Best for: Almost any wedding gown. A Line, Ballgown, Column, Empire, Mermaid
Shantung
Similar to dupion with a textured surface, may be satin backed.
Surface: Slubbed texture, dull
Fibre: Silk, polyester
Weight: Medium
Drape: Stiff
Best for: Tailored wedding gowns. A Line, Ballgown, Column,
Taffeta
A stiff fabric with good body. Moire is a watermark pattern.
Surface: Either dull or a light sheen, moire finish
Fibre: Silk or polyester
Weight: Light
Drape: Stiff
Best for: Wide skirts, structured silhouette. A Line, Ballgown, Column,
Tulle
Available in different weights for and stiffness.
Surface: Netting
Fibre: Silk, nylon
Weight: Light
Drape: Stiff
Best for: Layered skirts, veils, under shirts, petticoats. Ballgown.
Velvet
Softer than velveteen, luxurious.
Surface: Plush plain under surface
Fibre: Silk, cotton, rayon, acetate
Weight: Heavy
Drape: Soft but luxurious
Best for: Soft silhouette, full skirts. A Line, Ballgown, Column, Mermaid