Which fabric do you need?
“Pure fabrics, such as silk, cotton, velvet will crease more than those which have a touch of synthetic in them, which is really useful if you are getting married abroad or you ant you dress to stay crease-free all day,” says Y&YW fashion director Peta Hunt.
‘Silk is a fibre which is simply turned into a thread,” says Marguerite Hannah of Alan Hannah, “so it can become different things – for example, a thicker, more expensive duchesse silk, or a thinner slipper satin silk. Ask whether the material you are being offered is a pure silk or a mix. You can often tell if a material has silk in it, as it will have a pearlised finish.”
A dress made from pure duchesse silk will be very much more expensive, for instance than a dress made from a mix of manmade fibre and silk. Pure taffeta will also be much more expensive than taffeta which is a mix of manmade and pure silk.
Brocade – a heavy fabric with a raised patterned
Good for... ornate, vintage-style bodices; striking detail
Not for ... overseas weddings in hot climates
Chiffon – soft sheer fabric with a soft drape
Good for... floaty sleeves and loose dresses for hot climates
Not for ... Structured ballgown styles
Crepe – lightweight fabric with a ruched feel
Good for... slinky, column dresses
Avoid for ... tight dresses if you want to disguise heavy hips and bottom
Duchesse satin – a stiff, shiny fabric
Good for...dresses with some structure
Not for ... styles with a fluid drape
Lace – the most bridal of all fabrics
Good for...everything, either as a complete dress of just touches
Not for...a dress that is too seamed as the pattern won’t match
Organza – looks similar to chiffon but stiffer in texture.
Good for... an overlay, to give shape and texture to a skirt
Not for ... a whole dress, as it is too transparent
Satin –
Good for...slinky sheath dresses and styles that need to shimmer
Not for ... playing down certain parts of your figure
Taffeta – papery and lightweight, rustles when you move
Good for...full-skirt and ballroom styles
Not for ...smooth finish. Tends to wrinkle easily
Silk tulle – soft, beautiful and floaty
Good for... great for veils and 50s-style ballroom skirts
Not for ... robust styles, as it is flattering but fragile
Picture: Viola Lace by Phillipa Lepley
Choose a shade to suit your colouring. Get expert advice here.
Click here for your guide to veils.
Skirts to suit your figure. Click here.
Dresses for weddings abroad. Click here.
Buying a coloured dress? Click here.
Click here for necklines to suit your figure
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