These Are the Best Fabrics for Wedding Dresses

When searching for that perfect wedding dress, there’s much more to think about than silhouette. We know: With everything else on this list, why give you one more thing to stress about? But when it comes to wedding dress materials, the more you know, the easier the decision can be. From embroidered lace to chiffon and from heavy silk faille to a more waterlike thin weave, each wedding dress material has the ability to transform any gown shape. With the simple change of texture, you can change your entire wedding vibe in an instant. Below find the five most popular wedding dress materials and what type of wedding might lead you to seek out such a style.

For a city wedding, you might consider heavy silk. From the material, you are able to create some of the most classic shapes with little fuss, but the weight of the material will allow you to opt for silhouettes that are more dramatic than the rest.

Available in UK sizes 4 to 14. Available in sizes 0 to 14. Available in sizes 0 to 18. Available in sizes 16 to 26. Available in sizes 14 to 30. Available in French sizes 34 to 46. Available in sizes 0 to 14. Available in sizes 2 to 14. Available in sizes 00 to 16. Available in sizes 4 to 14. Available in sizes 0 to 16. Available in sizes 16 to 26. Available in sizes 0 to 10. Available in sizes 0 to 8. Available in sizes 14 to 26. Available in sizes 0 to 6. Available in sizes 0 to 26. Available in sizes 16 to 26. Available in sizes 0 to 12. Available in sizes 00 to 16. Available in sizes 0 to 16. Available in sizes 2 to 12. Available in sizes 0 to 14. Available in sizes 12 to 24.

Which one suits you best? The world is your oyster when it comes to your wedding dress style.

When you’re seeking out that ethereal look, consider a silk chiffon. It’s more forgiving than a classic lightweight silk weave and more breathable for layering purposes as well. If you’re looking for that gown that moves with the wind but doesn’t reveal every dip and curve of your body, go for chiffon.

If you want a simple silhouette that will make a bold statement, consider crafting your wedding dress out of a heavy embroidered lace. The fabric is a head-turner all on its own, so you could choose anything from a simple tank maxi to a full-blown princess moment and you’re sure to have a gown that wows.

Perhaps best fit for a beachside wedding, lightweight woven cotton is a great option that requires little fuss. For a bohemian look, we particularly love slightly embellished styles, by way of embroidery, eyelet, or lace insets.

For the whimsy in you, go for a silhouette made of tulle. You can opt for a more formfitting shape that boasts a gathered and ruched texture made of the elegant mesh or a more full-skirted ballgown shape that stuns in a true princess moment.

For those ’90s babies, a slip dress might be just the thing for you. Channel Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy with her Narciso Rodriguez silk tank gown—the fabric will allow your flowing silhouette to hug your frame in all the right places.