WEDDING

10 Most Common Wedding Dress Fabrics (With Images)

10 different wedding dress fabrics side by side

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If you’re on the quest for the perfect wedding dress, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is what type of fabric to choose. There’s a wide range of fabrics ranging in price, each with its pros and cons.

Here are the top 10 wedding dress fabrics that have stood the test of time.

1- Crepe

Bride wearing crepe wedding dress

Ivory crepe wedding dress by Boutique Lustre. See it here.

Crepe is a lightweight, comfortable fabric that has a crisp, clean look. It takes the shape and curves of your body without clinging too much to your figure and provides movement to the dress without weighing it down. It’s known for having a crinkled texture which can hide creases.

This fabric is perfect for minimalist and modern wedding gown styles, as it looks beautiful even without embellishments. It especially suits mermaid, ballgown, trumpet and empire wedding dress styles as well as long flowing silhouettes.  Crepe is also easy to alter in case your gown doesn’t fit just right.

2- Tulle

Bride wearing tulle wedding dress

Tulle wedding dress by Milamira Bridal. See it here.

One of the most traditional types of wedding dress fabrics, tulle is known for its sheer, gauzy and net-like structure. While tulle on its own doesn’t look all that impressive, it’s a highly versatile material and can be embellished, layered and ruched to created different looks. When well crafted, a tulle wedding dress can be an exceptional choice.  

Tulle is especially popular for ballgown and A-line wedding dresses, because it can be voluminous and full. While tulle is gorgeous and feminine, it can also easily damage and rip as it’s very delicate. It also catches onto objects like chairs, doors and so no and items like grass, leaves or pet fur can get trapped in tulle.

3- Lace

Bride wearing lace wedding dress

Lace wedding dress by Alex Veil Bridal. See it here.

Lace adds elegance, femininity and sophistication to any wedding gown. It’s typically used to add detail to a wedding dress, or as an overlay as a finishing touch but lace can also be the main material of the dress.

Lace comes in a wide range of varieties and styles and is typically made out of silk or cotton. Some popular types of lace include Chantilly, Alencon, Lyon, Brussels and Venise. The patterns on lace can vary but typical designs include floral, geometric and botanical motifs.

This fabric is highly versatile and pairs well with other materials. A dress made with lace all over gives a perfectly bohemian, outdoorsy look while using lace as a detail adds a classy touch of prestige. Lace is easy to care for, but it can be quite delicate and can snag on objects which could damage it.

4- Satin

Bride wearing satin wedding dress

Satin wedding dress by Tiradress. See it here.

One of the most popular type of wedding fabrics is satin. It’s versatile, durable and has a classy, expensive look that instantly elevates any dress design. It’s smooth to the touch and is also very comfortable. There are a range of satin varieties, but the type used for wedding gowns is typically made of silk.

Satin gives a sophisticated look to your dress, while keeping it clean, minimalist and classy. It doesn’t require a lot of embellishment because the fabric itself looks has a statement look. Satin gives structure to the dress and accentuates your shape. Because satin has a formal look, it’s ideal for formal ceremonies.

Satin is heavy and somewhat thick in nature, so it’s ideal for cooler weather weddings but not so much for summer weddings. This timeless fabric can also be prone to creasing, depending on the type and quality of the fabric.

5- Charmeuse  

Bride wearing charmeuse wedding dress

Charmeuse wedding dress by Yana Dee. See it here.

A traditional fabric popular for wedding gowns, charmeuse is light, comfortable and flowy. It has a sheen that makes it stand out, giving it a soft glow. This gives charmeuse a vintage, classic vibe.

Charmeuse is typically made of silk but can also be made from hemp and silk blends or synthetic fibers. It feels very comfortable against your skin and moves naturally with your body. It also provides a lot of movement to your dress unlike fabrics like satin. However, this trait of charmeuse makes it unsuitable for structured wedding dress styles.

This is a luxurious, rich looking material that’s perfect for dresses with a lot of movement and flow. However, it’s a fabric that isn’t very forgiving as it hugs your body and shows every flaw.

6- Taffeta

Bride wearing silk taffeta wedding dress

Silk taffeta wedding dress by Jurgita Bridal. See it here.

Taffeta comes in a range of varieties and is typically made of silk. The weaving process of taffeta sometimes results in it having a soft sheen, an almost iridescent quality that gives the fabric a glow. This looks very beautiful especially in wedding photos.

Taffeta is a crisp, smooth, durable material that’s typically quite stiff. The general rule of thumb is that the quality of the taffeta is related to its stiffness – the stiffer the taffeta, the higher the quality.

If you like the look of satin but find it too hot, heavy or shiny, taffeta might be an excellent alternative. It’s comfortable and keeps its shape well, making it perfect for structured dresses. Taffeta is perfect for voluminous, statement skirts and suits a range of wedding dress styles. 

One issue is that taffeta creases easily which is why it’s often sewn with linings to minimize creasing and also to increase volume.

7- Organza

Bride wearing organza wedding dress

Organza wedding dress by Mywony. See it here.

Organza (a.k.a. organdy) is a crisp, sheer fabric made from silk that offers volume and structure to wedding dresses. It’s lightweight and comfortable but is rather stiff in comparison to similar sheer materials like tulle and chiffon.

Organza is typically used for ballgown style wedding dresses as it’s typically used to create volume. It can make for gorgeous, princess-style skirts, giving you that perfect fairytale look. Having said that, organza can also suit modern, minimalist styles if crafted beautifully.

One thing to note is that organza creases easily so it needs to be taken care of and given a touch up before you wear it.

8- Chiffon

Bride wearing chiffon wedding dress

Chiffon wedding dress by Lidias Boutique Design. See it here.

Chiffon is an airy, lightweight and comfortable material to wear for a wedding dress. It can sometimes be sheer depending on the type of fabric. Like most flowy materials, chiffon isn’t ideal if you want a structured dress, but it’s perfect to add movement and a fluid look to your dress. It’s a common favorite for beach ceremonies and summer weddings.

Chiffon is also popular as an overlay, to add detail to a dress or to create layers. It’s a dreamy material and perfect for a relaxed vibe, but it does tend to snag on objects and is quite fragile.

9- Silk

Bride wearing silk wedding dress

Mikado silk wedding dress by Jurgita Bridal. See it here.

Silk, sometimes called ‘the queen of the fabrics’, is one of the most classic, traditional materials out there. It’s breathable, lightweight and comfortable to wear. Silk comes in a wide range of varieties, such as Mikado, Dupion, Habotai and Gazar. On a side note, both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle chose varieties of silk for their royal wedding dresses. 

Silk suits any type of weather and it can be made into a variety of dress styles. This makes it one of the most versatile materials for a wedding dress. Like satin, silk also has a soft shine to it, but it’s very subtle.

10- Georgette

Bride wearing georgette wedding dress

See this beautiful dress here 

Georgette is a comfortable, airy and lightweight material with a crepe surface. Originally made from silk, today it’s also manufactured out of synthetic fibers. Georgette has a draping quality that makes it hang down beautifully and while not perfect for a structured silhouette, it’s ideal to create floaty, dreamy trimmings.

Georgette is commonly chosen to create layers on a wedding dress as it adds movement and texture. Its ethereal quality makes it perfect for a wide range of dress styles.