Commonly Used Fabric for Wedding Gowns

• Batiste - A lightweight, soft, transparent fabric.
• Brocade - A Jacquard-woven fabric with raised designs, characterized by a satin weave background, using one or more fillings to create the motif or artwork within the fabric.
• Chiffon - A delicately sheer fabric with a simple weave. Classic chiffon is a lightweight sheer fabric with a soft hand and a matte finish.
• Crepe - A light, soft, and thin fabric with a crinkled surface.
• Crepe-back Satin - A reversible satin weave fabric with a soft fluid hand. One side is finished with a high luster, the other side is a matte crepe. This fabric is especially effective when the reverse side is used as a trim.
• Dotted Swiss - A sheer, very lightweight, muslin fabric embellished with evenly spaced raised dots.
• Double Georgette - A sheer lightweight fabric with a soft hand and a fine crepe surface.
• Eyelet Lace - Iidentified with its small, asymmetrical holes or perforations finished with a buttonhole stitch, often creating a floral pattern. It has also been described as open weave embroidery.
• Faille - (pronounced: "file") A shiny, tightly woven fabric made of silk or rayon and has a crosswise rib effect.
• Illusion - A fine, sheer net fabric, generally used on sleeves or necklines.
• Moire - A heavy silk taffeta with a subtle, wavy design.
• Peau de Soie - A soft satin-faced, high-quality cloth with a dull luster, fine ribs, and a grainy appearance.
• Pique - A lengthwise rib weave in medium to heavy weights; wrinkles badly unless given a wrinkle-free finish.
• Point d'esprit - A polyester net with the yarns sewn together in such a way as to create a diamond pattern.
• Polynet - A netting most often used to make yokes and sleeves. Schiffli embroidery is often found on this net and it is popular to attach beaded, crystals, or sequined embellishments as well.
• Organza - A lightweight, sheer fabric with a plain weave. Organzas have a crisp drape in contrast to chiffons that are sheer but have a soft drape. A key benefit of organzas is that they will hold shape without adding bulk.
• Romance Brocade - An intricately woven shiny fabric with a tonal floral or foulard design woven into the fabric.
• Satin - An opaque fabric, woven in a satin weave and features a smooth finish.
• Satin Charmeuse - A lightweight fabric with a soft, fluid hand and a smooth semi-lustrous surface.
• Silk Mikado - A brand of blended silk, usually heavier than 100-percent silk.
• Silk Shantique - has shantung on one side and satin the other. This fabric contains small bumps, which are characteristic of the fabric and are sometimes misunderstood as defects.
• Slipper Satin - A light, soft, closely woven, satiny feeling fabric that shines in the light.
• Italian Satin - A heavier satin fabric, brimming with body, featuring an antique sheen.
• Taffeta - A popular wedding fabric, which may be used as either the lining or outer fabric of a gown. Taffeta has a high sheen, a crisp stiffness and is similar in appearance to dupioni. Taffeta can be quite heavy. Taffetas are most commonly used for draperies and bridal gowns.
• Tulle - A netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon. It is used primarily for skirts (usually found in layers, covering a full satin skirt) and veils.
• Tullonet - A coarse net used to give fullness such as seen in crinoline slips.