Back to Wedding Basics Blog #3: Dress Fabrics

Fabrics are another important component of a wedding gown.  They cannot be chosen by personal likes alone; they must be picked according to the silhouette and length.  You also have to consider the type of wedding that you are having and even the season of your wedding.

For example, it would quite difficult to travel through the sand at your beach wedding while dragging a gargantuan, poofy ball gown made of tulle fabric.  Likewise, it wouldn’t be wise to wear a slinky chiffon gown while the temperatures are cold enough outside to produce icicles.

This blog discusses the six most common and popular wedding gown fabrics used today, along with gowns under each fabric that can be found at House of Brides for less than $500!

1. Satin

Satin is the most popular of the fabrics.  It is heavy and very smooth, and has sheen on one side and a matte surface on the other.  Ball gowns are ideal for satin because of the wide, heavy skirt.  A-Line gowns are also versatile enough for satin.

The satin gown shown above cost only $299. 

2. Silk

Silk is the most coveted and sought after fabric for wedding gowns.  Like satin, it has a smooth texture.  It can be used for any silhouette but it does wonderfully when paired with a “figure-hugging” gown, such as a mermaid silhouette.  Silk also has other forms; one of the most popular being Silk Mikado, which is a type of blended silk that is heavier than regular silk.

The silk gown shown above cost only $271. 

3. Taffeta

Taffeta is a crisp and smooth fabric that has a slight ribbing on it.  It is primarily paired with ball gowns because it is a fairly heavy fabric.

The taffeta gown shown above cost only $485.

4. Chiffon

Chiffon is a very delicate fabric.  It is sheer and transparent and soft to the touch.  It can be used for sheath gowns or gowns with empire waistlines.  Typically, it is used for over-skirts, sheer sleeves, or wraps.

The chiffon gown shown above cost only $300.

5. Tulle

Tulle is a very dense fabric.  It is similar to a type of netting and is not primarily used for the outer fabric of wedding gowns but there are gowns with outer tulle skirts; mainly, these are ball gowns.  Overall, tulle is used for petticoats or veils.

The tulle gown shown above cost only $398.

6. Lace

Lace is another delicate fabric that designers are starting to incorporate into their creations.  It can be used as a jacket; as a veil; as an embellishment.  It can even be used as the main fabric for the whole gown.

The lace gown shown above cost only $435.

What is your favorite fabric?  Share your opinion in the comments section below!