Complete Guide to Bridesmaid Dress Fabrics: Get Your Answer!

The bridesmaid dress fabric, just like the colors and the style of the outfit, is an essential component of how your girls’ fashion choices fit into the entire wedding vision. Silk satin can be a demure choice for an elegant soirée while chiffon looks superb in a cozy, informal setup. Alternate the two and the wedding vibe can clash with your fashion decisions. To help you navigate what fits where and the most popular types of bridesmaid dress fabrics in the market, we have created this mini-guide with important details and style guidance. Dive into our latest edit. 

Ethereal and Flowy

1. Chiffon

One of the go-to fabrics for bridesmaid dresses, chiffon is airy, flowy, and can be layered easily for colder temperatures. Pro Tip: judge the dress or the sample with the lining as that can make a big difference in the final outfit’s look.

2. Georgette

Georgette has the same flowy texture as chiffon and is also a popular bridesmaid dress type. It’s also slightly heavier and less sheer than chiffon. The lack of stretch element lends the dress a gorgeous structured look.

3. Organza

Organza is a crisp, breathable, and lightweight fabric. Its strength and stiffness make it a hit in handmade and custom-made dresses.

4. Tulle

Tulle has a romantic and ethereal feel, and it’s absolutely not just for ballet gowns. It’s a popular choice for bridesmaid dresses too, and can be styled for any celebration. Due to its sheer nature, it will be layered and the layers can be adjusted to be worn in any season. 

5. Charmeuse

If you’re looking for a shiny, soft satin silk-like fabric that’s equally luxurious without the hefty price tag, charmeuse is a beautiful fabric to consider. Its delicate nature makes it a sought-after choice for summer and springtime weddings. 

6. Jersey

Jersey is a stretchy and lightweight fabric that hugs the body in all the right places. Earlier, it was only made from wool, but now you can find it in cotton and other synthetic materials. The weave does have a warmth retention element (less than wool and velvet, if compared) and is common for late autumn and early spring weddings. 

Structured and Tailored

7. Mikado

Mikado fabric is a blend of nylon and silk, characterized by its luxurious, sheeny, and structured look. It’s popular in A-line and dramatic gowns with architectural appeal due to its heavier weight that retains shape. If you want something unique and artistic for your wedding party, this is the type of bridesmaid dress fabric to go for!

8. Faille

Faille fabric has a ribbed finish that’s elegant, soft, and quite breathable. It’s a heavier fabric with considerable stiffness to hold statement silhouettes and details in place, like pleats or bell sleeves. Since it can feel bulky, it’s not a good choice for weddings in the peak summer season. 

9. Dupioni

While silk is characterized by its flowy nature, Dupioni silk is different and has a slubbed, stiffer texture. It’s weaved with delicate warp threads and uneven weft threads giving it a rustic but highly lustrous appearance. Some designers consider it the best silk in the market because of its luxurious appeal and ability to hold structured silhouettes with ease. 

10. Taffeta

Tafeta is light-weight, glossy, and soft, resembling satin silk in texture. It’s contrast lies in its ability to hold the body and support elements like pleats, gathers, and layers better. Consider this type of bridesmaid dress fabric for a formal, sophisticated look. 

11. Brocade

Weaved with rich textures, intricate patterns, and raised designs, brocade fabric in bridesmaid dresses lends a stylish appeal that can be experimented with in any season. 

Luxurious

12. Satin

Satin is a weave, not a textile. The weave can be made with many materials like silk, wool, cotton, polyester, etc., and has a glossy appearance on the outside. Satin is a popular choice for bridesmaid dress fabrics because of its flattering drape on all body types. Opt for it if you’re planning a formal, elegant celebration.

13. Silk

Silk is smooth, lustrous, and timeless. You can look back at your wedding pictures down the years and the bridesmaid dresses will still stay relevant. Plus, silk bridesmaid dresses look good on their own without any defining details, making the decision process easier. Although, silk is expensive and it’s best to stay mindful of everyone’s budget before settling on a silk bridesmaid dress.

14. Crepe

Crepe weave can be made of a variety of natural and synthetic materials, but the most popular one is polyester because of its wrinkle-resistant and durable properties. The weave comes out to be lightweight and stretchy - that’s more peppy than opulent if that’s your goal.  

15. Velvet

Velvet is fluffy, rich, and a classic for fall/winter weddings. It’s also comfortable to wear for longer hours and has a beautiful shine. This fabric does tend to be more stiff and form-fitting which can be a contrast if you’re looking for a flowy bridesmaid dress. 

Texture and Embellishments

16. Lace

Lace adds a vintage and regal element to the bridesmaid dress. Play with its intricacy and you can fit the fabric into any kind of aesthetic - from romantic to formal or laid-back. Besides bridesmaid dresses, lace is also common in bridal wear and mother-of-the-bride dresses! 

17. Moiré

Moiré is a type of textile finishing technique that creates a ripple-like appearance/ texture on the fabric. Also known as “watered silk” for the same reason, moiré has a part-matte, part-glossy appearance and is perfect for a wedding party who’d love to shine in a unique yet elegant attire! 

18. Sequin

If you’re planning for a glamorous wedding party, you will want to consider sequinned bridesmaid dresses. Let your girls shine in an all-over sequin gown or just opt for a sequinned bodice for a captivating look. Alternatively, you can also go for micro-sequin embellishment that reflects light beautifully, allowing the bridesmaids to shine from all angles.

19. Mesh

Mesh is lightweight, sheer, and soft to touch. It’s often layered to add depth to the attire and is adorned with sequins and beads for a complete look. Mesh can look cheap if it's made from compromised materials, and hence it’s best to order it from trusted designer stores only. 

20. Bengaline

Bengaline is stretchy, luminous, and has excellent draping qualities to flatter any body type. It’s sturdy and heavy, making it your best bet for winter and fall weddings.

Styling Tips for Your Bridal Party: More Than Seasons & Wedding Themes

Besides the usual bridal party styling tips, like aligning with the wedding aesthetic and accounting for the weather, there are other things to keep in mind. Here are 3 styling tips for your bridesmaids to consider:

Mix & Match

Mismatched bridesmaid dresses are a hit and rightfully so. It helps each member of your wedding party shine in their own best self without compromising the aesthetic. Coordinate mix & match bridesmaid dresses by choosing different styles for the same outfit, different colors from the same palette, or different colors on the same design like floral prints in bright shades. 

Play With Textures 

Playing with textures and fabrics paves more comfortable looks for each member of the wedding party. Some might like the flowiness of satin while others enjoy stiffer fabrics like faille or dupioni that hug their curves. Keeping the color palette and style the same, you can give the wedding party the freedom to choose a texture of their liking. 

Accessorize Personally

Letting your bridesmaids choose their own accessories, first, lessens that burden from your shoulders, and second, allows them to showcase their individuality. Just establish some ground rules like dainty neckpieces or a specific color to maintain a coherent appearance. 

Choosing the right bridesmaid dress can comprise several elements. From deciding the color and the fabric to choosing the bridesmaid dress length, there can be many factors to discuss. But keep comfort as the foundation of all decisions. A confident and happy wedding party is what you need on your special day—more than anything!