This post is about choosing the best fabric for bridesmaid dresses.
If you’re here, you’re probably a bride trying to figure out what to do for the bridesmaid’s dresses. You might have some ideas already but need help really nailing down your choice.
And the choices really are endless! Do you choose matching bridesmaid dresses or do mismatched ones? Do you buy their dresses or give them a color scheme?
One important decision is which fabric to select for your besties. The bridesmaid dress fabrics will affect the cost, comfort levels, aesthetic and shape of the dress.
In this post, we’ll talk about various factors that can influence your fabric choice. We highly recommend that before making bridesmaid dress decisions, you decide on your own bridal gown. The wedding gown takes center stage and everything else should fit around it.
If you’ve already picked your dress (exciting!), then let’s dive into the best fabric for bridesmaid dresses.
Factors Influencing Your Bridesmaid Dress Fabrics Decision
1. Weather
The time of year can heavily impact the type of fabric you choose for your bridesmaids.
Summer Weddings Bridesmaid Dress Fabrics
In the warmer months, you’ll want to opt for a lightweight fabric that has a floaty feel to it. Weddings can certainly get people nervous and sweaty as is. But summer weddings can have even the most chilled-out bridesmaid feeling overheated.
A popular choice for a lightweight feel is chiffon fabric. Chiffon is a very light, sheer fabric that’s typically composed of a blend of fibers: natural fibers like cotton and silk; semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon; synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester.
Chiffon is the ideal choice for a summer wedding but still looks luxurious and whimsical. It doesn’t cling to your body either.
Another perfect fabric for hotter weather is Charmeuse. It has a glossy sheen on the outside that looks like satin. It has a lovely drape effect and is more lightweight than satin making it perfect for summer weddings.
Winter Weddings Best Fabric For Bridesmaid Dresses
In the colder months, you definitely want to ensure your bridesmaids aren’t shivering on your wedding day. We know, we know – fashion over function sometimes! But you really can find beautiful dresses that are on the warmer side.
With winter weddings becoming more popular, there’s a growing rise in warmer dress options. Duchess satin is a popular choice.
Duchess satin is made of high-quality fibers and is heavy-weight. This makes it a very durable fabric – perfect for a long day of celebrating!
It is also warm and comfortable which makes it perfect for use in cooler months.
More good news – Duchess satin doesn’t wrinkle easily. The thicker the fabric, the more wrinkle-resistant the satin.
Another warmer fabric option is velvet which definitely lends itself to a festive wedding. Traditionally, velvet can be somewhat stiff but most bridesmaid dresses are made from knit poly fabrics in a velvet finish.
They’re soft to touch, have gorgeous texture, and hold color incredibly well.
2. Location
While weather impacts your fabric choices, the location itself can be something to consider. For example, with beach weddings or outdoor weddings – you might want a more durable fabric that can withstand being dragged along sand, grass or gravel (if choosing a floor-length cut).
The best fabric would be one that could be easily cleaned afterwards too.
3. Wedding Aesthetic
Different fabrics suit different vibes. When choosing your bridesmaid dress fabrics, think about whether they fit into the wedding aesthetic that you’re creating.
For A Luxurious Look
Is your wedding giving Lake Como vibes and you want everyone to look like they’re on the red carpet? A great option for your bridesmaids is chiffon dresses or silk dresses. They definitely scream ‘evening wear’ and will elevate your wedding aesthetic.
Instead of the light airy look, you could go for ball gowns. This more structured look is perfect for romantic weddings.
For A Minimalist Look
If your wedding is more understated elegance then seek out minimalist designs for your bridal party. Look for dress fabrics that have a matte finish instead of a glossy surface.
A crepe fabric is also an ideal choice. It has a rigidity to it for a structured look.
You can always add one accent detail to take your girls from wedding party guests to bridesmaids. Think sheer gloves, a metallic hairpin, or fine jewellery.
For a Fun Wedding
Girls just wanna have fun, right? If your main focus is to host a fun wedding, then look for durable bridesmaid dresses. They’ll need to be able to hold up after a night of non-stop jiving on the dance floor!
In this case, avoid a delicate fabric. A good choice is a flowy fabric that doesn’t restrict movement and won’t damage easily.
We suggest Bengaline – it is a stretch woven fabric with a silky sheen. It’s durable and works well for structured silhouettes.
Another low-maintenance option is Jersey. It is lightweight and stretchy. It’s super comfortable to wear and is easily cleaned afterwards.
For a Boho Look
If you want an upscale Boho aesthetic then think about using lace fabric.
While white lace is typically reserved for the bride, lace comes in so many colors, weights and patterns that it can definitely be incorporated into bridesmaid dresses.
Chantilly lace is a luxurious fabric that is semi-sheer so it’s usually lined underneath.
Another perfect fabric for a boho look is crepe de chine. Crepe de chine is a well-loved fabric for making garments due to its lightness, durability, wrinkle resistance, breathability, and luxurious feel.
For a Classic Look
If you’re not necessarily going for a unique look but want your besties to look classically stunning – then a satin or silk option is best.
There’s a reason satin dresses have become so popular for bridesmaids in recent years. They have a soft drape and slight sheen that photographs beautifully.
4. Wedding Gown
As mentioned earlier, it’s best to select your bridal dress before moving onto the bridesmaid dresses. That’s because your wedding gown choice may affect the type of bridesmaid dress you choose.
For example, if you choose a chantilly lace wedding gown, then you may want to scale back on the detailing for the bridal party dresses.
If you choose a form-fitting fabric, you may want your bridesmaids to have a similar silhouette – or not!
5. Color Scheme
Your color scheme can affect the kind of fabric you choose too. For example, velvet holds color spectacularly well so if you want your besties to pop, then velvet might work best.
If you’d prefer them in pastels that look more whimsical and romantic, then a lighter weight or more flowy fabric is better suited – like chiffon.
6. Budget
Lastly, the fabric you choose for your bridesmaids’ dresses may be influenced by your budget. For more affordable options, look for synthetic fibers like satin, crepe and charmeuse.
Where To Buy Bridesmaids Dresses?
- Jenny Yoo – for gorgeous dresses at the $300 mark.
- Bella Bridesmaids – for various designers at about the $300 mark.
- Revolve – for unique dresses at varying price ranges.
- Reformation – for classic bridesmaid dresses at the $500 mark.
- ASOS – for affordable dresses
Don’t leave your bridesmaid dresses too late as they may also need time to be altered too. We recommend receiving them at least 2 months before your wedding to allow for alterations.
This post was all about how to choose the best fabric for bridesmaid dresses.
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