Find Your Style: 4 Popular Wedding Dress Fabrics

Wedding dresses have so much variety that sometimes it can be hard to choose the right fabric for your body and wedding vibe. Different fabrics can be better suited not only for different silhouettes but also better suited for different seasons.

While we argue that any gown can be the perfect look for your big day if that’s the dress you know is right, Queenly is here to break down some of the most popular fabrics and when you can expect to see them.

Let’s start with the most traditional fabric you can expect to see on a wedding dress: lace. Dresses made of lace can come in a variety of weights; meaning that heavier lace fabrics are usually reserved for winter weddings and lighter, softer laces are better suited for summer weddings.

Regardless of fabric weight, lace dresses translate to weddings of every season and given the traditional vibe of the fabric, are at home on any silhouette of dress as well. Lace dresses can also vary in personality and tone of the evening depending on the cut and style of dress as well as accessories chosen.

A long sleeve lace dress with a high slit and chunky platforms can stun at a rocker, edgy wedding, whereas a long-sleeved dress without a slit and a pair of cowboy boots will be right at home at a country chic affair.

Kim Kardashian chose an all lace, long sleeve gown for her wedding to Kanye West and it was the most romantic lace dress we could have imagined. Even if you opt for adding a bit of funk to your frock, lace will give off romantic notes and have you feeling the love all day.

Similarly, Duchess Kate Middleton chose a chantilly lace stunner from Alexander Mcqueen for her wedding to Prince William and it is a look that 10 years later is still one of those most copied gowns on the market.

Another traditional and popular material for wedding dresses is silk. It has always been a luxe fabric, reserved for the most special occasions. It is durable and strong while maintaining a lightweight and breezy feel. Silk was first produced in ancient civilizations of China but once silk exports were opened up became a worldwide sensation.

Did you know that during WWII the American military used silk to produce the parachutes and coordinating items because it was easy to pack, as well as light to carry, and the most flame-resistant material they had available?

These might not seem like items a bride would worry about, but knowing that you can wear your gown all day without serious wear and tear and you can perform that candle ceremony without worry should help you feel good about your choices.

While silk is a strong and durable option, lighter types of silk will show every curve and shape of your body, so be mindful when choosing what type of silk gown you want to buy.

A gown made of charmeuse silk will be light and airy, so these will typically be seen in spring and summer weddings when you don’t want anything too heavy. This is a fabric that can be hard to alter given its production methods, so be mindful of this when it comes time to order for sizing purposes. It will also be the more expensive option so look out for those price tags!

Mikado silk has been gaining popularity momentum in recent years and it comes as no surprise. It is a heavier, more structured type of silk that will hold shape better than other silk fabrics so it has become the go-to fabric for simple sheath gowns. This type of silk also has the brightest sheen so your dress will literally shine without any heavy beading or details needed.

Mikado silk is a great option for that simple, understated elegant bride that wants a seriously formal affair but without over-the-top glitz and glam. The silk, as said, holds shape so a mermaid gown or sheath cut dress will hang and hug in all the right places. It is a heavier fabric so many times winter wedding brides tend to favor this fabric but it can be worn all year long.

Organza silk is a more sheer and lightweight option if you are going for a fuller look on your wedding dress. It is similar to tulle, but hangs and flows more giving you more movement in your dress than the former will. Dresses made from organza silk epitomize a romantic and soft wedding vibe and call for a formal affair. If you need any style inspiration consider the stunning Givenchy gown Duchess Meghan Markle wore for her big day.

The dress was made of triple-layered organza silk and required perfect seams and cuts to achieve a beautiful look. It will hold shape as do other types of silk but will add more volume given the difference in feel to this material so a tulip or dropped waist gown, as well as an A-line, will be stunning in this fabric.

Chiffon silk can often be confused with organza silk given the similarity in feel and movement, but chiffon is more airy and sheer. It is a soft fabric that does well in the summer and spring months given its breathability and movement in the breeze. Chiffon is more of a matte style fabric whereas other silk options are shinier so be aware of this detail when looking for chiffon style gowns.

It is also a style that speaks well for dresses for other important parties to the brides, such as the mother of the bride gown. Chiffon will keep its shape but due to the lightweight qualities will flow a lot when walking so it hugs less than other silk materials will.

A growing trend for chiffon dresses are those with sheer chiffon sleeves and they look modern and sophisticated yet fun and whimsical. Unlike other silk fabrics, chiffon gowns are at home at more simple casual affairs, such as a beach wedding so don’t be afraid of this fabric is black tie formal isn’t your thing.

Crepe silk has a certain crinkle quality to it, so the fabric has texture without needing lace or embellishments so it is the perfect option for a more understated bride. The material drapes and hugs your curves so if you’re a bride looking to flaunt that shape you’ve been working so hard on, this is the fabric for you.

It is elegant and sleek without any beading or excessive additives, so think of a beautiful fit and flare or mermaid shape, and a long row of buttons down the back for added drama. Solange Knowles wowed in a caped crepe silk dress for her wedding and her look will be iconic for generations to come.

Satin is a shiny and heavy fabric that is perfect for the bride looking for more structure and shape from their dress while still being able to look elegant and traditional. It is technically a material made from many fibers including silk and some synthetic types, which gives it the weaving pattern that all brides know and love.

Satin drapes perfectly over your shape and will give you a silhouette you love while also hiding areas you want to camouflage. It is a great option all year but heavier satin fabrics do tend to translate better to colder month weddings so be aware of the type of satin when choosing your gown.

We hope these style points have you saying I do to your perfect gown, and your perfect partner, very soon. Wedding dress trends come and go, but if you want your photos to stand the test of time, sticking to these popular and timeless wedding dress fabrics will have your big day looking trendy and fashionable for years to come.