Find Your Style: 4 Perfect Prom Dress Fabrics

Find Your Style: 4 Perfect Prom Dress Fabrics

November 30, 2022
By Katie Zamboni

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Prom is right around the corner and it’s time to start shopping; but where do you begin? The first question you need to ask yourself is: what kind of vibe for prom are you going for?

It might seem like a silly question, but it truly is the best way to start your search for the perfect prom dress. Once you establish the vibe, you know where to start looking in terms of material and wear. The fabric and hang of the dress will determine how the dress fits you, thus establishing the look that you exude for prom.

Starting with fabric choice means you can find the perfect patterns and colors in that material and you won’t get overwhelmed by all the options on the market. It’s a foolproof plan for perfecting your prom appearance and you will without a doubt be the belle of the ball!

1. Satin

Satin is the most traditional option when choosing a prom dress. It is a heavy, structured fabric that will hold shape and will offer less natural movement for the dress. The fabric generally has a shiny quality and is a great option for most cuts and styles, so the possibilities are endless.

As said, satin dresses are great for a structured dress, so satin fabrics will go great in an A-line shape. You will be able to get the perfect A-line silhouette that won’t let you down no matter how much dancing you do. It would also be great for a skater style or A-line mini dress, as the shape will stay with you through every swing of your hips to the right song.

Selena Gomez killed it at a press event in a satin red mini. It was low cut but stayed put, and the A-line cut to the fabric gave her perfect volume in that barely-there skirt. The dress was tailored perfectly to fit her shape, another great quality of the strength of satin material is that it will work best for alterations so you don’t have to worry if something doesn’t fit just so. A quick trip to a seamstress can have that perfect satin number fitting just as beautifully with a few quick stitches.

Mermaid gowns are another perfect option for satin fabrics. Because the fabric stands up so well to altering, you will be able to get a mermaid gown taken in to fit all your curves and get the perfect fit. Kim Kardashian utilizes gowns in this fabric for the perfect shapely look so you know that your silhouette will be flawless in a satin mermaid gown as well.

Check out these adorable satin looks:

2. Lace

Lace white dresses are the quintessential wedding dress fabric but lace in other colors are prime pickings for prom. Lace is great for those wanting more of a soft and romantic vibe, something more sleek and elegant versus a fun and playful look.

A great trend happening with lace dresses in various color palettes is sheer paneling. We love this look for prom. It’s a way to modernize the traditional fabric without taking away from the intricate detailing.

Kerry Washington executed this trend perfectly with a yellow lace midi sheath dress with sheer side paneling and a white slip. The white skirt underneath gave her coverage but put the sheer paneling on display, keeping the look sophisticated with just a touch of edge.

You could also pull a Gigi Hadid and do a sheer lace tight mini dress with a white two-piece slip underneath. The sheer white lace gave her the perfect balance between sweet and sultry. It’s a great option for those of you wanting tradition with a modern twist.

You’ll love these lace dresses from Queenly!

3. Chiffon

Chiffon fabrics are a prom dress staple and we love it so much! It’s a fabric with a sheer quality so it can be layered or added over a slip or heavier skirt detailing to add a touch of whimsy to your look. It’s a delicate fabric so tailoring must be done carefully and in limited amounts.

Sheath dresses or styles with a cinched waist and flowing skirt are the perfect options for chiffon fabrics. The dress will have a lot of natural movement that you will miss if you go for a more fitted skirt, so choosing something that is less tight around the hips is a better choice.

Mila Kunis wore a gorgeous lavender lace and chiffon gown to the Oscars that had a fitted bodice reminiscent of Greek Gods and a small train and we are still picking our jaws off the floor. It was a perfect example of how to wear chiffon and is the perfect place to get inspiration for your own unique look.

Another great usage of chiffon fabric is the overlay skirt. You can use a slip underneath or a satin gown, but single-layer chiffon will be sheer and allow the underskirt to peek through, giving you depth and additional movement in your gown. It was a popular style in the ’90s, with beaded chiffon fabrics being layered over a plain colored skirt to add sparkle and it’s coming back in full force.

Try these trendy chiffon styles:

4. Organza

Organza is very similar to chiffon, so telling the difference can get a little confusing. However, organza is more sheer and lightweight than chiffon and is perfect for a princess or whimsical look. Layers of organza in one length or tiers will create a full skirt that will mimic every sway and sashay you make, so put those layers to work.

Priyanka Chopra utilizes organza in a lot of her sarees, and we love this. It’s delicate and soft, and the single layer of organza for the shawl is barely there so it keeps the look lightweight, airy, and elegant.

Another great way to utilize organza fabric is in a sheer sleeve on shorter prom looks. Organza makes for a great way to add depth and interest, in this case in a sheer sleeve, without adding weight and heaviness to your dress that makes it appear to be wearing you instead of the other way around.

Sheer organza sleeves are taking mini A-lines and skater dresses by storm right now and we think it would be the perfect way to be the most trendy fashionista on prom night. Plus, a shorter dress with these details will be a style that you can wear again, so you’ll have a new clothing staple for your wardrobe.

Elle Fanning rocked a perfect princess organza gown on the red carpet for a “Maleficent” premiere and it was stunning. Tiered layers of a soft great organza gave her a full skirt, while a single layer of the same color sleeve was barely-there perfection. Another plus to organza: the multiple layers add different depths of color to your gown so your dress is interesting in all the right ways.

Fall in love with these organza dresses:

Now Shop!

We hope these fabric know-hows helped guide you to the right fit and style for your perfect prom dress. It’s not always easy navigating the finite points of fashion, so understanding materials and how they will work for you better is a great way to centralize your prom shopping to ensure you don’t waste time with all the wrong looks.

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