Common Wedding Dress Fabrics

Common Wedding Dress Fabrics

The following is a short list of some of the more common fabrics used in wedding dresses.
Chiffon : one of the floating romatic fabrics with a simple weave of silk and rayon. There is also a less expenisve version made with polyster-silk blend. This material can be soft or have a stiff finish.


Satin : a silk or synthetic blended material with a smooth usually shiny and glossy unbroken surface. The luxurious material is formed with a satin weave using filament such as silk, nylon or polyester.

Taffeta : crisp, smooth, glossy fabric in silk or silk blends; small crosswise web; good body and rustle; year-round fabric (tissue-weight). This crisp and smooth fabric is woven from silk or synthetic fiberss. Its origin comes from Persian and means ‘twisted woven’. One of the high end fabrics that are suitable for ball and wedding gowns although there are two distinct types of taffeta, one tied-dyed is softer than the much stiffer yarn-dyed taffeta.

Crêpe : a fabric which is soft flowing with a crinkled texture and is popular for bride and bridesmaids alike. This thin floating material can be cut on the bias creating a flattering silhouette for slim shaped bodies
Batiste : soft, delicate summer fabric made of cotton, cotton-linen or cotton-polyester blend; fine and sheer texture; usually pure white


Silk : a natural fibre and one used most often in wedding dresses. This light and floaty material is known for its lustrous shine. Multiple layers such as chiffon, tulle and organza silks can be used giving that transparent yet lightweight look and feel. Spring, summer or autumn is the best time to wear this material. Any dress made from this fine crepe-like texture will add a softer silhouette to any gown.

Dutchess Satin : a beautiful smooth, glossy and natural fabric with a rich and lustrous finish. Because this material is one of the heaviest it can be more suitable for the cooler seasons. Any dress made with this fabric will look simple yet stunning and adding embellishments will only enhance the look.


Brocade and Damask : are both heavier fabrics usually interwoven with embossed designs and ideal for those winter weddings. This richly patterned fabric has always been associated with luxury and opulence. A rich satin weaved material gives a reversible positive/negative image pattern. A fabric that is Ideal for the bride who is getting married in a castle or having a medieval themed wedding.


Georgette : a silk or synthetic crepe with dull texture and Illusion of silk tulle or nylon material that can be used for veils.


Linen : from flax; beautiful, durable, elegant with natural lustre, usually blended to reduce wrinkling; used for spring and summer weddings.
The same dress but made from different materials can look vastly different, while one type of fabric can produce a light fluffy flow line another can make the dress appear stiff and unyielding.


Satin - Silk
This is a fabric that has a satin weave with a plain back. The fabric usually has a glossy surface and a dull back. Satin is actually a warp-based weaving technique that forms minimum number of interlacing in a fabric. If a fabric is formed with a satin weave using filament fibers like silk, nylon or polyester, the resulting fabric is termed as "satin."

Silk satin is a blend of silk and has a high luster due to the maximum number of floats on the fabric surface. The float on the fabric gives it a smooth and glossy touch.

Silk satin is mostly used in apparel such as evening wear, fine clothing, etc.

Silk - Taffeta
Taffeta is a crisp, smooth, plain-woven silk fabric with a slight sheen and a fine cross rib. The silk is made from white silkworm cocoons. It is considered as one of the oldest luxury fabrics that was first woven around the 3rd century. The fabric is smooth with a sheen on its surface and a plain weave. The fabric is usually flat and the back and front ends are almost similar.


China Silk
Also known as Habotai silk, China silk is known for its sheen, texture and luxurious feel since time immemorial. It was revered mostly by the people of royal and noble families in the ancient and medieval times. Enriched by beautiful adornments and patterns, China habotai silk has not lost its glamor even today.

China silk is a soft, lightweight, lustrous, plain weave silk made of very fine yarns. It is a wonderful silk, originally handwoven in China of hand-reeled silk. China silk has a loose, soft, thin hand and a slippery, smooth texture.

Chiffon Silk is transparent soft and light silk. It can also be woven of cotton or man-made fibers. Chiffon creates the billows of fabric that add dimension to garments. The fabric generally requires some kind of lining or backing unless it is used for scarves. It is a plain woven sheer fabric with a soft drape

Superior quality chiffon silk garments are produced in China and are exported to various countries. China produces fine quality silk using highly twisted yarn on powerlooms. The fabric is very strong and after processing and finishing attains a soft and smooth texture.


Soft and smooth chiffon silk is also produced in India. Exquisitely designed silk products from India are exported all across the globe.