Dress Fabric Descriptions
Here's a list (kinda long but descriptive) of wedding fabric types, just so you'll be an expert when you do your dress searching, and also get an idea of what fabrics you like before you go shopping.
Batiste:
A soft and lightweight, see-through material, usually used in antique dress styles.
Brocade:
A heavy Jacquard-woven fabric with raised decor, ideal for classic and cold weather weddings
Charmeuse:
A satin-like fabric that is soft and has a luster to it
Chiffon:
Made from rayon or silk, it is soft, lightweight and delicate; ideal for warmer weather weddings as it breathes; used often for layering hemlines and sleeves
Crepe:
thin and lightweight material with a crinkly design to it, not often used on the body of the dress but for accents
Damask:
Lighter material that has a raised, woven floral design to it
Duchesse Satin:
A midweight fabric with a satiny finish, woven from a combo of polyester, rayon and silk
Dupioni:
A thicker fabric, coarse and has a sheen; comparable to shantung
Faille:
A heavy, structured fabric; lacy design
Gabardine:
A tightly-woven, firm and durable finish, with single diagonal lines on the face.
Georgette:
A sheer, lightweight fabric often made of polyester or silk with a crepe surface.
Illusion:
A fine, sheer net fabric, generally used on sleeves or necklines.
Jersey:
A very elastic knit fabric; the face has lengthwise ribs and the underside has crosswise ribs.
Moire:
A heavy silk taffeta with a subtle, wavy design
Organdy:
A stiff transparent fabric.
Organza:
Similar to chiffon in stiffness, but more lightweight and flowing; not for main body of dress, but for layers, sleeves, accessories.
Peau de Soie:
A soft satin-faced, high-quality cloth with a dull luster, fine ribbing, and a grainy appearance.
Polyester:
An inexpensive man-made fiber that can be woven into just about anything, including duchesse satin
Rayon:
Similar to silk, but more elastic and affordable.
Satin:
A heavy, smooth fabric with a high sheen on one side; very common in bridal gowns.
Silk:
The most sought-after, cherished fiber for wedding dresses (and also the most expensive); there are several types with different textures: raw silk and silk mikado are just two examples.
Silk Gazar:
A four-ply silk organza.
Silk Mikado:
A brand of blended silk, usually heavier than 100-percent silk.
Silk-faced Satin:
A smooth silk satin, with a glossy front and matte back.
Shantung:
Compared to dupioni silk, very expensive.
Taffeta:
Crisp and stiff, yet smooth with a stripe-like delicate design; quite dressy and lustrious fabric
Tulle:
Netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon; used primarily for skirts and veils (think ballerina tutus).
Velvet:
A soft, thick fabric with a felted face and plain underside.
Batiste:
A soft and lightweight, see-through material, usually used in antique dress styles.
Brocade:
A heavy Jacquard-woven fabric with raised decor, ideal for classic and cold weather weddings
Charmeuse:
A satin-like fabric that is soft and has a luster to it
Chiffon:
Made from rayon or silk, it is soft, lightweight and delicate; ideal for warmer weather weddings as it breathes; used often for layering hemlines and sleeves
Crepe:
thin and lightweight material with a crinkly design to it, not often used on the body of the dress but for accents
Damask:
Lighter material that has a raised, woven floral design to it
Duchesse Satin:
A midweight fabric with a satiny finish, woven from a combo of polyester, rayon and silk
Dupioni:
A thicker fabric, coarse and has a sheen; comparable to shantung
Faille:
A heavy, structured fabric; lacy design
Gabardine:
A tightly-woven, firm and durable finish, with single diagonal lines on the face.
Georgette:
A sheer, lightweight fabric often made of polyester or silk with a crepe surface.
Illusion:
A fine, sheer net fabric, generally used on sleeves or necklines.
Jersey:
A very elastic knit fabric; the face has lengthwise ribs and the underside has crosswise ribs.
Moire:
A heavy silk taffeta with a subtle, wavy design
Organdy:
A stiff transparent fabric.
Organza:
Similar to chiffon in stiffness, but more lightweight and flowing; not for main body of dress, but for layers, sleeves, accessories.
Peau de Soie:
A soft satin-faced, high-quality cloth with a dull luster, fine ribbing, and a grainy appearance.
Polyester:
An inexpensive man-made fiber that can be woven into just about anything, including duchesse satin
Rayon:
Similar to silk, but more elastic and affordable.
Satin:
A heavy, smooth fabric with a high sheen on one side; very common in bridal gowns.
Silk:
The most sought-after, cherished fiber for wedding dresses (and also the most expensive); there are several types with different textures: raw silk and silk mikado are just two examples.
Silk Gazar:
A four-ply silk organza.
Silk Mikado:
A brand of blended silk, usually heavier than 100-percent silk.
Silk-faced Satin:
A smooth silk satin, with a glossy front and matte back.
Shantung:
Compared to dupioni silk, very expensive.
Taffeta:
Crisp and stiff, yet smooth with a stripe-like delicate design; quite dressy and lustrious fabric
Tulle:
Netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon; used primarily for skirts and veils (think ballerina tutus).
Velvet:
A soft, thick fabric with a felted face and plain underside.
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