Bridal Wedding Gown
A World of Materials for Couture Wedding Gowns by Tania Porembova
For those shopping for their perfect couture wedding gowns, there are a number of factors that need to be considered. The cut, colour and style are all important, and that’s once you’ve settled on a designer. The bridal dress is the item of clothing that carries the greatest emotional load, and for this reason it is subject to a level of scrutiny simply not given to any other items. This need to get the decision just right means agonising over every detail, and one of the things that will have a significant effect on the dress is the material it is made of. There are several fabrics that are commonly used for bridal dresses, each offering something a little different:
Satin: there are many different types of satin, but all of them are based on the same principle – a special type of weave that will often have a glossy surface and a dull back. The fabric is formed by what is known as a satin weave that uses filament fibres made from materials including silk, nylon and polyester. It is also made from short-staple yarns such as cotton. When it comes to couture wedding gowns, a matte satin, using a less shiny colour, can give a luxurious finish.
Taffeta: a very popular material for couture wedding gowns, taffeta is a smooth plain-woven fabric made from silk or, occasionally, synthetic fibres. Silk taffeta comes in two different types: yarn-dyed and piece-dyed. It is a medium weight fabric that gives garments a luxurious feel. Considered a high-end fabric, taffeta lends itself to complicated and intricate detail.
Chiffon: this is a sheer fabric made from silk or a synthetic alternative that is often used in the outer layer of the skirt part of couture wedding gowns. Less stiff than tulle, which is often starched, chiffon can be used for a variety of applications including transparent sleeves and wraps. In technical terms, chiffon is a lightweight, sheer fabric woven of alternate S- and Z-twist crepe yarns.
Tulle: starched netting often used in veils, tulle is a fabric with a rich history. It was invented in Victorian Britain, although the name Tulle actually comes from a city in central France that was once the heart of the French lace industry.
Lace: One of the most flexible of fabrics, there are as many different types of lace as there are uses for it. Lace making is an ancient craft that typically uses cotton threads today. Lace has been used in wedding dresses for a long time, and is used to give the dress a more vintage, and to some peoples’ eyes, old-fashioned, look. Lace is a great material for details and stylistic flourishes on the dress.
About the Author
Looking for couture wedding dresses? Tatiana Porembova is one of the leading wedding dress designers in London and her work spans a range of styles and influences. Based in Richmond, she creates beautiful couture wedding dresses and bridesmaids outfits to provide the perfect garments for the perfect day.
Bridal Gown Search – Wedding Series ep. 3 -itsJudyTime
