Wedding Dress Fabrics

The fabric of your wedding dress is just as important as the style. You need to be comfortable but the fabric also needs to match the style of dress that you’re wearing. Some fabrics can really add to the design of the dress, while other fabrics can detract from the style.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the most common wedding dress fabrics.

Duchess satin

It’s a heavy, luxurious satin. It has a rich, luxurious finish and works really well with very structured designs.

Qualities: Smooth, glossy and lustrous
Made from: Silk or silk-rayon blend
Best for: Spring and autumn/winter weddings (could be too hot for a summer wedding), formal and simple designs.

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Silk georgette

A sheer silk, this is light and floaty – very beautiful. Often used in veils and trains and as a sheer layer over dresses – softens the silhouette of the dress. Qualities: Sheer, fine weave Made from: Silk or manmade fibres Best for: Spring and summer weddings and soft, draping, loose dress styles.

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Organza

A little like georgette only slightly stiffer and a crisper weave. Great for overlays, veils, trains and full skirts. Qualities: Sheer, fine and light but stiffer than georgette Made from: Silk or silk mixed with manmade fibres Best for: All year round. Can be used on draped, loose dress styles or more structured styles.

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Taffeta

A great fabric for big dresses and structured styles because it is quite a heavy, crisp fabric. Qualities: Stiff crisp weave with either a slight sheen or dull finish Made from: Silk or silk mix Best for: All year round. Structured ball gowns and full skirts

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Tulle

A very fine net that’s slightly stiffer than chiffon or organza but looser than netting. Qualities: Fine-mesh netting. Sheer and light Made from: Silk or silk mix Best for: All year round. Both structured and loose style dresses, full skirts, veils and trains

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Chiffon

Chiffon is a real classic wedding fabric. It drapes beautifully and works really well as sleeves, cut out sections on a full skirt or over shoulders. Qualities: Very fine, sheer fabric with a matt finish. Made from: Silk, silk mix or manmade materials Best for: All year round. Layers, veils, full skirts, overlays and sleeves

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Italian satin

A manmade fabric that blends silk with other fibres. The great thing about Italian satin is its beauty and versatility. Great for lots of shapes and dress styles and it has a beautiful finish. Qualities: Smooth, can be quite thick with sheen on one side. Resilient to creasing Made from: A blend of silk and satin and other manmade fibres Best for: All year round and any style or dress shape

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Crepe

Qualities: Crinkled or grained in texture Made from: A blend of silk and manmade fibres such as acetate and rayon Best for: All year round. Good for full skirts and loose styles

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Velvet

Velvet comes in a variety of thickness and weights so if you love velvet you have a wide choice for your dress. Qualities: Thick, luxurious and rich or fine and embossed or patterned Made from: Cotton, silk or manmade fibres Best for: All year round although thick velvet is best in the colder months. Great for structured and loose dresses, also bodices, skirts, sleeves and overlays.