When exploring the wedding dress market, you may be shocked by the diverse range of fabrics and fibres accessible to the brides of today.
The fabric you select can have more of an impact than you think, with everything from your dress shape and silhouette to its cost and style influenced by the material you choose. The formality of your big day may also dictate your wedding dress fabric as The Knot details:
“If your wedding is more formal, satin fabrics, silk gowns and designs with iridescent embellishments (like sequins) will fit right in. For casual weddings, sheer fabrics and lightweight materials, such as chiffon and certain types of lace, are popular options. Trust your bridal stylist to pull gowns that match your wedding style while also complementing the season and venue type.”
While your choice of material is just one factor that will help you find the wedding dress of your dreams, being familiar with the most popular wedding gown fabrics will certainly help you make your decision with confidence and clarity. Read on to discover what’s what of the fabrics commonly used to make bridal gowns.
Crepe
Beautifully weighted and smooth to the touch, crepe is one wedding dress material that exudes sophistication and elegance. The draping effect of crepe makes it a hugely flattering fibre for brides with varying body types.
Crepe is popularly used as the primary fabric for minimalist wedding gowns, with embellishments able to be incorporated with ease thanks to its crisp texture. Crepe is also a great material for non-traditional bridal ensembles, such as jumpsuits.
Tulle
For brides looking for the ultimate fairy-tale finish, tulle is certain to be up there in their list of top fabrics. Consisting of netting made from silk, polyester, nylon or a signature blend, tulle is great for adding volume, making it a common addition to ball gown and mermaid wedding dress styles.
Organza
Often mentioned in the same breath as tulle, organza is a stunning fabric choice that is generally more flexible, lightweight and sumptuous. When layered, organza can provide the flowing volume you need to ensure drama without the heaviness. Slimmer line skirts can also benefit from a couple of layers of organza for a decadent flourish that looks magical on the dancefloor.
Organza is most commonly used over other fabrics, with lace, satin and tulle underskirts providing extra intricacy to guarantee a gorgeous ensemble.
Silk
Silk may be one of the most expensive wedding dress materials on the market, but it’s also the most graceful.
Its versatility sees it used across many gown shapes from show-stopping ball gowns to more fitted, sleeker styles. Not all silk is created equal, however; charmeuse silk, for instance, is among the most luxurious and is well known for its natural temperature regulation making it the perfect fabric choice for summer or winter weddings.
Satin
Sporting a similar sheen to silk yet offering a little more weight, satin wedding dresses are making a comeback.
In previous years, satin has been seen as a traditional material choice but with more and more designers using satin as part of their collections, it is fast becoming popular with modern brides with the luxurious, classy designs able to be created with satin big hits!
Lace
We couldn’t mention wedding dress fabrics without including lace in our rundown. Like silk, there are several lace types to choose from, meaning you can find a unique lace design you adore. This timeless fabric option is an excellent choice for brides looking for classic or vintage wedding dress styles.
Mikado
If you are looking to reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint, choose Mikado. As a type of silk, Mikado is super shiny, yet much thicker than many other silk materials. This means it can be used to create more structured designs, including A-line and trumpet shapes, with ease.
Mikado is a blend of silk and recycled polyester, a mix that makes it super soft and highly sustainable.
