When shopping for your dream dress, you have a lot of considerations to keep in mind. From silhouettes to necklines and extra features - one that is often overlooked is the type of wedding dress fabric you go with. And today, that's what we're going to talk about.
Choosing among the different types of fabric for wedding dresses dictates how you look and feel walking down the aisle on your big day. And depending on the type of wedding you have, your style preferences, and the time of year, the specific type of fabric matters a lot more than you think.
Don't worry though. Because by the end of this in-depth guide, you'll feel far more confident in choosing the right fabric for your wedding gown.
At Avery Austin, we have 30 years of experience helping brides like you pick the perfect gown while staying within budget - without compromising on quality! If you want assistance in not just choosing the right fabric for your dress - but finding your dream dress altogether and getting it sent your way fast - we're here to help make it happen.
More on that later. First, here's why carefully considering the different types of fabric for a wedding dress is so important...
What are the Different Types of Wedding Dress Fabric Available at Avery Austin?
Often, brides start this journey by considering the different wedding dress sleeve types or the different wedding dress neckline types. And while those are both important factors of your dream dress, you cannot overlook the importance of the fabric your gown is crafted from.
At Avery Austin, you will gain access to the most stunning wedding gowns online - without the expensive price tag you're used to., More and more brides are opting for a less-than-traditional dress shopping experience at Avery Austin - and once you learn more about our brand, you will too.
Before we get into all that, here are the different types of wedding dress fabric choices available in our catalog - starting with lace.
Lace
Lace is a timeless wedding dress fabric that adds a touch of elegance and femininity to any gown. It’s regarded as a very romantic fabric - so if you’re looking for a romantic bridal gown, this is a great choice. It's made with delicate yarns that are intricately interwoven to create patterns - usually floral. Because of its intricate design, lace often appears heavier than it actually is.
This type of fabric comes in various weights and styles, which impacts both the look and feel of the finished product. For example, a lighter-weight lace will appear more delicate on your dress while a heavier one will have more structure.
If you're considering a lace bridal gown, keep in mind that it's often used as an accent rather than the main material. That said, there are plenty of beautiful all-lace gowns out there for brides who want to make a statement.
Lace is a great choice for any season but works especially well for spring and summer weddings. Heavier weaves will work great in winter months, though. Regardless of weight, it's a good option for more formal affairs.
Satin
Satin is a smooth, shiny fabric that's made from silk or polyester. It has a soft texture and a luxurious feel, which makes it a popular choice for wedding dresses. In fact, this has been perhaps the most popular choice for decades now. It offers a luxurious look and is considered one of the more sexy wedding gown fabrics.
It's available in various weights, which impacts the way it hangs on your body. A heavier weight will drape better than a lighter one, which can sometimes appear stiff.
Similar to lace, this material is often used as an accent on wedding gowns but can also be used for the entire dress. If you're considering a satin wedding gown, keep in mind that it's best suited for more formal affairs. It's also a good choice for winter weddings as it provides extra warmth. With that said, some brides do not like the wrinkles associated with this type of wedding dress fabric.
Tulle
Tulle is a lightweight, net-like fabric that's often used to create volume in skirts or as an overlay. It’s regarded as sheer & delicate and is often used in illusion-style gowns.
It's available in various colors, sizes, and styles - which means it can be used for a variety of different looks. For example, a softer tulle will create a romantic feel while a stiffer one will add more structure.
If you're considering a tulle wedding gown, keep in mind that it's best suited for formal affairs and ball gown wedding dresses. It's also a good choice for summer weddings as it's a lightweight material. However, the excess fabric snags easily - so if you go with this type of fabric for a wedding dress, beware!
Chiffon
Chiffon is a sheer, lightweight fabric that's made from silk or polyester. It has a soft texture and tends to flow well, making it a popular choice for wedding dresses. Similar to tulle, it's available in various colors, sizes, and styles - which means it can be used for a variety of different looks.
If you're considering a chiffon wedding gown, keep in mind that it's best suited for spring or summer weddings due to its airy, breathable nature. It's also a good choice for destination weddings - and we absolutely love this look if you’re going for the bohemian vibe. Similar to tulle gowns, though, chiffon is prone to snagging. You’ll need to be careful when getting ready or taking photos.
Organza
Organza is a sheer, lightweight fabric that's made from silk or nylon. It has a crisp texture and tends to hold its shape well, making it a popular choice for wedding dresses. Similar to tulle, it's available in various colors, sizes, and styles - which means it can be used for a variety of different looks.
If you're considering an organza wedding gown, keep in mind that it's best suited for summer weddings and formal affairs. It's also a good choice for destination weddings as it doesn't wrinkle easily.
Mikado
Mikado is made from silk or wool and tends to have a heavier feel. This thick fabric provides the perfect structure for gowns that feature a lot of design and embellishments. And because of the weight it has, brides prefer this type of wedding dress fabric in colder months for the warmth it provides.
You’ll often see mikado used as the fabric in strapless bridal gowns - as we said, it’s super supportive!
Crepe
Crepe is one of the most lightweight fabrics you can use in a wedding gown. It is typically made from silk or wool. We particularly love this gown on curvy figures as it accentuates your body perfectly. But, it works great on less busty brides, too. This year-round favorite is often seen on the A-line wedding dress or mermaid bridal dress.
Ponte
Ponte is a thick, medium-weight fabric that's made from cotton, wool, or nylon. It has a knit texture and a bit of stretch, which makes it a popular choice for wedding dresses. This type of fabric is much less common than the other types of fabrics for wedding dresses we’ve covered thus far - but we do offer a few gowns with Ponte fabric at Avery Austin!
Need Help Choosing Between the Different Types of Fabric for Wedding Dresses? We're Here to Help!
Choosing between all the different types of wedding dress fabric can feel overwhelming - but don't worry, we're here to help. At Avery Austin, our team of experts can guide you through the process and help you find your dream dress effortlessly. After all, you’ve got plenty of other things to plan out - let us take the weight of gown shopping off your shoulders. We’re here to make sure you actually enjoy this process!
With three decades of experience and counting, we’ve seen all the problems and complaints about the traditional dress shopping experience. We’re changing the narrative, offering salon-quality gowns without the expensive price tag.
This is all possible through our direct-to-consumer model - we’ve done away with the middlemen so you can enjoy huge savings. In fact, we offer wedding dresses under $1000 and wedding dresses under $500 with no compromise in quality! If you’re wondering how to find affordable wedding dresses online, look no further than our catalog.
And, we can help you cross this task off your to-do list fast. With unbeatable 9-week delivery times, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you have ample time for alterations and bridal portraits leading up to the big day. Compare that to how long it takes to order a wedding dress elsewhere - up to 12 months in some cases. And if you need a gown even faster, we offer ready-to-ship wedding dresses in stock today.
But, the best part of shopping at Avery Austin has to be our try-at-home wedding dresses. You can try on wedding dresses without buying - it’s just $15/gown. This helps you get a better fit and feel for the gowns you’re interested in from the comfort of your own home - no strings attached. Just invite the girls over and make sure someone brings the bubbly!
If you’re ready to get started, reach out to our bridal experts. We’ll talk over the details of your wedding, your style preferences, your budget, and your wedding dress sizes. From there, you’ll get personalized help in building your first try-at-home box. We’re here to help you until we’ve found “the one” - no matter how long it takes. So, don’t hesitate to reach out today!
Want to learn more before reaching out to our experts and setting this process in motion? Our article on the different wedding dress styles is a great starting point. If you’re wondering “what kind of wedding dress should I have?” it should answer your question. We also have blog posts on important topics like when should you buy your wedding dress, why do wedding dresses have trains, and how much the average wedding dress costs.