A MATERIAL WORLD

The material from which a dress is made plays a key role in determining the overall look of the outfit, and the use of one fabric over another can completely change the gown's appearance.

For example, a pencil skirt made from chiffon will help to provide a dreamy image and is perfect for either a country garden affair or a laid back beach Wedding. However, the same skirt made from raw silk will look contemporary and sophisticated, and will look outstanding at a formal Wedding.

This article takes a look at the main types of material you will come across on your travels through the wondrous world of Wedding dress shops.

Brocade

A finely woven material with a raised design.

The raised element is often in a slightly different shade to the main body of the material, though that said, it is possible to track down brocade where the raised element is in a completely different colour. White or ivory brocade that incorporates a coloured design (usually a pastel colour such as pink, blue or lilac) shouldn't be too hard to find and it is ideal if you want to carry a colour scheme across all the elements of the Wedding day.

Chiffon

A light, sheer material. It has a beautiful fluid movement and can be used to drape over skirts and bodices alike.

This is another fabric that comes in a full range of colours and it can even be dyed to match or complement the rest of an outfit or Wedding theme. Chiffon is often used, along with organza, to create accessories such as boleros or wraps and shawls.

Crepe

Crepe is a woven fabric that is soft to touch yet has a slightly rippled texture - it is very fluid and moves easily.

The most popular type of crepe is satin-backed, where one side of the fabric is a matt crepe (which in itself is very luxurious), and the other side is similar to satin and has somewhat of a sheen. Crepe has the added benefit that either side of the fabric can be used, and dresses made from this material will often incorporate features such as a satin panel or trim (perhaps at the bust or hem of your dress) to emphasise or draw attention to specific areas.