This is one of the heaviest and most beautiful natural fabrics. It has an amazing rich finish, but due to its weight may make it unsuitable for a hot summer's day.

QUALITIES: Smooth, glossy, very lustrous weave with a matte back
FIBRES: Silk or silk/rayon blend
WEIGHT: Medium
CLIMATE: Seasonless
USED FOR: Formal looks, beautiful for simple designs or with embellishments

 

 

This fabric is very light and floaty and typically used as a top layer, to drape and glide over the body of the gown. It adds a softer line to the silhouette of the gown.

QUALITIES: Sheer and fine weave with a crepe-like texture
FIBRES: Silk, poly or manmade fibres
WEIGHT: Light
CLIMATE: Spring, summer, autumn
USED FOR: Drapey, layered styles

 

 

QUALITIES: Sheer woven-like chiffon, but crisper
FIBRES: Nylon, poly, rayon or silk
WEIGHT: Light
CLIMATE: Seasonless
USED FOR: Layering and overlays, veils, trains, full skirts

 

 

QUALITIES: Stiff crisp weave, with a crosswise rib; can have a slight sheen or dull finish
FIBRES: Silk or poly
WEIGHT: Light
CLIMATE: Seasonless
USED FOR: Structured ball gowns; full skirts

 

 

QUALITIES: Fine-mesh netting with a hexagonal pattern; machine made
FIBRES: Cotton, silk or nylon
WEIGHT: Very light
CLIMATE: Seasonless
USED FOR: Skirts, veils, mixes well with other fabrics

 

 

This material is extremely light and has a translucent appearance. It is normally used draped elegantly over the arms and shoulders.

QUALITIES: Delicate, sheer, fluid and hanging weave with a matte finish
FIBRES: Nylon, poly, silk or rayon
WEIGHT: Very light
CLIMATE: Seasonless
USED FOR: Great for sleeves, layers, veils, overlays on opaque fabric

 

This material is defined as a blend of silk and satin. This is a manufactured material to give a texture and quality you cannot get with natural materials. These materials can offer fantastic finishes as well as being more resilient to creasing. They can often be less costly and easier to adapt to certain designs.

QUALITIES: Smooth weave with a high sheen on one side
FIBRES: Acetate, poly, silk or manmade fibres
WEIGHT: Medium to heavy
CLIMATE: Seasonless
USED FOR: Any shape or style