MissUniq Bridal Couture Ltd.

Material matters when you’re making your wedding dress. If you're making your own wedding dress, or having one made, then you'll need to select the right fabric to suit both you and your dress. The fabric you choose will be dictated partly by the style of your dress. A stiff Duchess satin, for instance, is more effective for a ball gown silhouette than for an informal style, which would be much better suited to floating chiffon.

Here are some of the main types of fabrics and their qualities.

Duchess satin

Duchesse Satin is what most people think of when they hear the words “wedding dress material”. A rich, shimmering and relatively thick satin with a matt back, this is a good fabric for embellishing with beads and jewels as it is relatively strong. See Colour Swatches for reference.

Plain satin

The front side of the fabric has a lustrous and reflective finish whereas the back has a dull finish. It can be made of silk, or a synthetic lookalike such as polyester. Our Medium Satin is a type satin which is glossier than Duchess Satin and a bit thinner. Our Light Satin is a type of satin which looks similar to Medium Satin but slightly lighter in weight. These two are commonly used for evening dresses. See Colour Swatches for reference.

Charmeuse

Lightweight shimmery satin with a soft, contouring drape. It differs from plain satin in that charmeuse is softer and lighter in weight. The lustre and delicate hand make charmeuse suited to flowing evening gowns or bridal gowns. The fabric does not hold a shape well, so it is not used for full, flared skirts; the charmeuse tends to cling and hang against the body. It is best suited to a more fluid, slinky bias cut, and is too fragile and flimsy for more tailored clothing.

Taffeta and moiré

A medium weight fabric with varying sheen. Taffeta is the classic formal party dress material, quite stiff and usually made from silk, although it can be synthetic. Moiré is taffeta with the classic watermark look. Both fabrics are traditionally used for ball gown style dresses. See Colour Swatches for reference.

Chiffon

A delicate, matt fabric which drapes and skims. Feather-light and perfect for layering, sleeves and even veils, this fabric makes a beautiful complement to crêpes or satins in the same dress, or can be used for sheer wraps and scarves for brides and bridesmaids. See Colour Swatches for reference.

Organza and silk organza

A delicate, sheer fabric, often layered or worn over another fabric because of its transparent quality. Similar to chiffon but stiffer, organza works well on shimmering skirts and ballet-dancer style dresses for bridesmaids. See Colour Swatches for reference. Silk organza is often embroidered.

Tulle/embroidered tulle

A sheer to semi-sheer net fabric often used for skirts and veils. Tulle is essentially fine mesh netting -- think tutus. Very light and usually worn in combination with other fabrics, it can complement crêpes or satins beautifully. Can also be used as an underskirt to create fullness. Russian Tulle is a netting with wide holes.

Crêpe, georgette and satin-backed crêpe

Crêpe is a softly flowing fabric with a crinkled texture, popular for both brides and bridesmaids. It works well on slim-shaped dresses that can be cut on the bias to create a flattering silhouette. Georgette (sometimes called georgette crêpe) is very similar. Satin-backed crêpe is reversible so that the satin side can be complemented by the matt crêpe side in the same dress, for instance in cuffs, borders, panels or neckline.

Silk Shantung

A heavy fabric with a rough nubby surface, made of spun raw silk. These are very popular textured silks, with natural imperfections and 'slubs' making each length unique. They are medium to heavy fabrics, and their natural texture makes them suitable for simple gowns. Shantung is a Rayon or cotton fabric that is imitative of Silk Shantung.

Brocade

Brocades have rich weaves with raised designs, in either the same or contrasting colours. Often the pattern is a floral or ribbon design. Rich and magnificent, brocades are perfect for heavier dresses with full skirts and trains, or for boned bodices. These fabrics are suitable for brides or perhaps matrons of honour, cloaks and gowns with a historical theme. A lighter weight alternative to brocade is damask. This is sometimes referred to as Jacquard.

Velvet/dévoré

A plush material with a plain underside, velvet is often used for cloaks and historically themed dresses. The patterned version -- dévoré -- is great for slip dresses.