How to Dress Your Body Type: Wedge Shaped

Two Fridays ago I began a five part series of posts helping you find gowns that will flatter your body type most.  This week I am going to focus on the "wedge" shape.  Like I said before, the key to flattering any body type isn't necessarily about "masking your flaws", it's more about creating balance.  Once you figure out which body type you have, you can then find ways to balance your figure, making it look more proportioned.  Because every figure is different, these posts are meant to act as a guide, not a list of hard-fast rules.  Once you start trying on gowns, utilize your consultant because she will be able to find gowns that will look great on your specific figure.  Remember, these are just to help get you started, if you love a dress and it doesn't fit these rules, try it anyway!  You never know how it will look until you try it on!

The Five Major Body Types: Pear, Apple, Wedge, Rectangle, & Hourglass... and yes, you should be jealous of my drawing skills hehe

What is a wedge shape? A wider shoulder and (typically) larger bustline, compared to a narrow waist and hipline.  It is also known as the "T" shape. 

How to flatter a wedge shape: Create the illusion of fuller hips in order to balance out a larger upper half.

Some styles to try: Sweetheart necklines, subtle mermaids, a-lines, scoop necks, wide v-necks, simple bodices paired with more elaborate skirts

Some styles to (possibly) avoid: Halters, narrow sheaths, racerbacks, straight across strapless necklines, dramatic mermaids

Some famous wedge shapes: Gabrielle Reece, Angelina Jolie,

Styles for Wedge Shapes:

These dresses that I'm going to feature this week will pretty much flatter a wedge shaped bride of any height, including petites.  If you are petite, just remember to avoid anything that has to full of a skirt or you'll risk looking overwhelmed by fabric.

Essance of Australia Style# D989

How to Dress Your Body Type: Apple Shaped

First of all, I want to apologize for not posting anything for the last week!  It's been such a busy few days, and I couldn't find the time to put out any quality posts.  Don't worry, though, I'm not going anywhere!!

Last Friday I began a five part series of posts helping you find gowns that will flatter your body type most.  This week I am going to focus on the "apple" shape (I know, what's with all the fruit comparisons??  I have no clue, I didn't make them up).  Like I said last week, the key to flattering any body type isn't necessarily about "masking your flaws", it's more about creating balance.  Once you figure out which body type you have, you can then find ways to balance your figure, making it look more proportioned.  Because every figure is different, these posts are meant to act as a guide, not a list of hard-fast rules.  Once you start trying on gowns, utilize your consultant because she will be able to find gowns that will look great on your specific figure.  Remember, these are just to help get you started, if you love a dress and it doesn't fit these rules, try it anyway!  You never know how it will look until you try it on!

The Five Major Body Types: Pear, Apple, Wedge, Rectangle, & Hourglass... and yes, you should be jealous of my drawing skills hehe

What is an apple shape?  a wider waist compared to a shoulder and hipline that are narrower. It's also known as the "O" body shape. 

How to flatter a apple shape:  Create the illusion of a slim waist, making a balanced hourglass shape

Some styles to try:  ruching, empire waists, corset style bodices, a-lines and ball gowns, v-necks,

Some styles to (possibly) avoid:  sheaths, mermaid styles

Some famous apple shapes: Queen Latifah, Mia Tyler, Mo'Nique

Styles for Petite (aka 5'4" and under) Apples Shapes:

David's Bridal style# 9T3060

How to Dress Your Body Type: Pear Shaped

I've been planning to do a "dress your body type" post since I first started writing The Ethereal Bride, but have been a little unsure on how to go about it because it's a relatively large undertaking.  There are a few different body types and factors like height and waistline that come into play, so it would be hard to cover everything in one post.  After a lot of thought, I've decided to do a series of 5 posts, each focusing on a major body type- pear, apple, rectangle, wedge, and hourglass.  Within each post, I will focus on three height categories: petite, average, and tall.  The key to flattering any body type isn't necessarily about "masking your flaws", it's more about creating balance.  Once you figure out which body type you have, you can then find ways to balance your figure, making it look more proportioned.  Because every figure is different, these posts are meant to act as a guide, not a list of hard-fast rules.  Once you start trying on gowns, utilize your consultant because she will be able to find gowns that will look great on your specific figure.  Remember, these are just to help get you started, if you love a dress and it doesn't fit these rules, try it anyway!  You never know how it will look until you try it on!

For my first post (these are all in no particular order), I've decided to focus on the pear shaped body type.  A person with a pear shaped body type has a larger hip in relation to a smaller shoulder width.  Please keep in mind, the shape has nothing to do with weight, just how your bone structure is- you could easily be a size 4 or size 24 and still have a pear shape.  It just depends on your proportions and bone structure.

The Five Major Body Types: Pear, Apple, Wedge, Rectangle, & Hourglass... and yes, you should be jealous of my drawing skills hehe

What is a pear shape?  Larger hips in relation to a smaller shoulder width; It is also known as the "A" body type

How to flatter a pear shape:  Create an illusion of a wider shoulder and fuller bustline, in order to balance out the lower half of the body.

Some styles to try:  halters, A-lines, sweetheart necklines, ball gowns, v necklines, ruching

Some styles to (possibly) avoid:  sheaths, straight across strapless necklines, some (but not all!) mermaid styles

Some famous pear shapes:  Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Shakira, Jennifer Love Hewitt

Styles for Petite (aka 5'4" and under) Pear Shapes:

First of all, I seriously can't say enough about the power of ruching (the diagonal/horizonal pleats running across these bodices).  Ruching is one of those miracles of design that flatters EVERYONE.  It makes curve-less girls look curvier and curvier girls look svelte.  I featured three ruched gowns (the first 3) for petite pear shapes because the key is to flatter a wider hip by wearing a fuller skirt yet without overwhelming a short frame.

Alfred Sung style# 5259

Shoe Dye: DIY

A month or so ago, I stood up in my cousin's wedding.  Since our dresses were long, her only request was that we wear black shoes.  'Yay! I don't have to buy new shoes', I thought.  Until I realized I don't own any black bridesmaids-y type shoes.  But then I had an idea!  I had bought a pair of dyeable satin wedges a few years ago during my former life as a bridal consultant and had dyed them a lovely shade of shocking pink to wear to a wedding.  Unfortunately, a clumsy server spilled beer all over my hot shoes and the color ran a little bit, ruining them.  The amazing thing about dyeable shoes is you can re-dye them black afterward, since black dye is strong enough to cover pretty much any color, even shocking pink.  Since I used to dye shoes all the time before, I figured I could do it again and started searching the internet for black shoe dye.  I found some for a great price on Coloriffics' website for only $15- waaaaaaaaaay cheaper than going out and buying a new pair of shoes.  I ordered the kit, dyed to shoes, and took some photos because I figured I'd pass along the info to all of you!  Many of you probably have a pair or two of bridesmaid shoes in colors you'd never wear again sitting in your closet.  This is seriously so easy and so worth saving money buying on new black shoes...

Coloriffics Shoe Dye Kit $15 (comes with bottle of dye and 2 daubers)

Things you'll need:

-black shoe dye kit (like the one above)

-rubber gloves (the dye will stain your hands!!)

-dyeable shoes

-Qtips

-plastic to lay down on work surface (I used a white plastic garbage bag)

How to do it:

Basically you just put a little dye on the dauber and paint it onto the shoe.  You need to work quickly to avoid streaks.  Once the majority of the shoe is painted, go back and use a Qtip to get in the hard to reach places.  Let the shoes dry for at least 6 hours or so.  Don't worry if you get dye on buckles or rhinestones- just take a clean, damp Qtip and wipe off the dye.

5 Rules NOT to Break at Your Wedding

Recently, Brides.com featured a whole big article on rules to break at your wedding giving us a whole bunch of fun ideas in the process.  Additionally, they also gave us 5 rules not to break and I felt that they were worth repeating (with additional comments from yours truly, of course, because you know I have an opinion on everything hehe).  

I love a good mid-western wedding- I am an Illinois girl, after all!  Just remember to suggest to guests to wear wedge heels or flats to this type of ceremony.  No one wants to ruin a good pair of stilettos in the dirt...

Best of EB: 17 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Shopping for Maids Dresses

 {Image via WEtv}

1.    Know the difference between the types of gown retailers.  There are many different places to purchase bridesmaid dresses, and the trick is knowing what you can expect from each type.  Always keep in mind that you get what you pay for.  Think of it in terms of how your purchase your everyday clothes.  If you shop a little boutique, you will pay a higher price, but you will (hopefully) get exceptional customer service, because they are a small business and their reputation is on the line.  If you shop at large chain retailers you might score a great deal but won’t get a whole lot of insight from sales personnel, and if something goes wrong they will be less likely to help you out.  Think about what is most important to you- either getting a great bargain or getting great customer service and go from there.  Buying online can be great too but is also tricky because you have even less of a chance of someone helping you if something is wrong.

2.    Research boutiques in a widespread area.  Just because there is a boutique five minutes away from your house, doesn’t mean it is the right one for you.  Research online for boutiques within a ten to twenty mile radius and find ones that fit they type of store you are looking to buy at.  Trust me, it is so worth it to travel a little farther away in order to get what you want and have a great experience!

3.    Always always always make appointments.  You will have a better overall experience when you make an appointment, rather than just walking in to a shop.  Even if you only call a few hours ahead of time, it will give the salon a chance to prepare for your visit.  When a salon knows you are coming, they will have a consultant and a fitting room waiting for you.

Best of EB: 21 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Shopping for Your Gown

So lately I've gotten into the routine of not posting anything on Monday's because, let's face it, everyone needs a day off.  But then I got a bright idea- I will start re-posting some of my old features from when EB was brand new, because many of those posts went relatively unread since I didn't have a whole lot of visitors in the beginning.  It's a win-win situation- I still keep my day off and you get a chance to catch up on what you may have missed! So, for my first Monday re-post, I bring you "21 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Shopping for Your Gown"!  Enjoy!

 

 {Image via WEtv}

Before you shop:

1.   Know the difference between the types of gown retailers.  There are many different places to purchase your wedding gown, and the trick is  knowing what you can expect from each type.  Always keep in mind that you get what you pay for.  Think of it in terms of how your purchase your everyday clothes.  If you shop a little boutique, you will pay a higher price, but you will (hopefully) get exceptional customer service because they are a small business and their reputation is on the line.  If you shop at large chain retailers you will probably score a great deal but won’t get a whole lot of insight from sales personnel, and if something goes wrong they will be less likely to help you out.  Think about what is most important to you- either getting a great bargain or getting great customer service and go from there. 

2.   Research boutiques in a widespread area.  Just because there is a boutique five minutes away from your house, doesn’t mean it is the right one for you.  Ask around and research online for boutiques within a ten to twenty mile radius and find ones that fit they type of store you are looking to buy at.  Trust me, it is so worth it to travel a little farther away in order to get what you want and have a great experience!

3.   Always always always make appointments.  You will have a better overall experience when you make an appointment, rather than just walking in to a shop.  Even if you only call a few hours ahead of time, it will give the salon a chance to prepare for your visit.  When a salon knows you are coming, they will have a consultant and a fitting room waiting for you.

4.   When you book the appointment, ask if you can do an hour and a half instead of only an hour.  Every place is different, but most book a standard one hour appointment.  Usually this isn’t enough time, at least for your first time out.  It can’t hurt to ask for a longer appointment, and as long as it’s not on a super busy day they will most likely be more than happy to oblige you. 

5.   Avoid weekends if possible.  For obvious reasons, weekends are the busiest days for bridal salons.  Even if you make an appointment ahead of time, you may still have to share the 3-way mirror with other brides and that can be frustrating.  Do yourself and your sanity a favor and try to go during the week when it’s way less chaotic and overwhelming.  Tuesdays are typically the slowest days of the week and many shops have one or two late nights during the week to accommodate the “after work crowd”. 

6.   Look at gowns ahead of time.  I can’t tell you how many brides I’ve worked with who came into their first appointment having zero idea as to what kind of gown they wanted.  I’m not saying you need to come in knowing exactly what you want, but at least have some clue about what type of message you want to send.  Are you going for a modern, minimalistic vibe?  Something soft and romantic?  Is dramatic and edgy more your style?  Look through magazines and websites like The Knot and Brides and tear or print out pictures that catch your eye.  Even if it’s just certain elements you are drawn too (like a certain type of lace or an interesting neckline), it can really help your consultant pinpoint what styles to show you. 

7.   Know your budget.  Hopefully your consultant will ask you what you’re looking to spend at the beginning of your appointment, but if they forget make sure you tell them.  There is nothing worse than falling in love with a gown and then discovering that it is way out of your price range.

8.   Keep your eyes out for trunk shows.  Trunk shows are when a gown company sends the entire current collection to a store for a few days.  Usually bridal shops (at least small ones anyway) only purchase certain pieces from each collection, but during trunk shows give you the opportunity to view the pieces you may not otherwise get to see.  Also, many times shops offer a 10-20% off if you purchase your gown during the trunk show.  You can find trunk show information on bridal shop and designer’s websites. 

Color Inspiration: Seasonal Palette Edition

Last week I had a newly engaged bride-to-be ask about autumn color palettes, so I decided to do a seasonal color palette post.  I put together three different combos for each season.   Keep in mind, these are just for inspiration.  You can use any of these colors at whatever time of year you want, regardless of what your maid of honor or mom or bridal consultant says!  Happy planning !

Autumn

Chocolate & Lilac

Private Label Occasion "CD284" and Sophia Tolli "BY21040"

All images via Martha Stewart Weddings

A Case for What May Possibly Be the Best Flower Ever

My sister, Lindsay-the-floral-designer has taught me many floral-related things over the years, and so I've decided to take some of her sage wisdom and do a post on the many reasons why carnations (yes carnations!) make fabulous wedding flowers.  Like many of you, I used to have negative "bad prom corsage" connotations associated with carnations, however, my smart sis taught me that carnations may actually be the perfect wedding flower.  And here's why...

1. They're inexpensive.  Peonies typically run about $6/ stem, roses run about $3/stem, and carnations are about $1/stem.  That's adds up to be a huge difference.
2. They're non-toxic.  Meaning if your 3 year old flowergirl accidentally stops for a snack while dropping flowers down the aisle, it's perfectly fine!
3. They come in a ton of natural colors. As in over 30.
4. They have texture.  They have a great ruffle-y texture similar to peonies, lisianthus, or roses.
5. They smell nice.  Because it's important to smell good on your wedding day.
6. They are always in season.  You don't have to worry about them being next to impossible to get and ridiculously expensive if your getting married in say, January.
7. They take up a lot of space because they're a decent size.  Which means not only are they cheap, but you also use less of them.
8. They last forever.  Ok, not forever but definitely through the ceremony, the reception, and beyond!
9. They can easily be mixed with other flowers. Which means you can still have peonies or calla lilies or hydrangeas but you will save money without sacrificing the design look.
10. They have universal appeal. They pretty much work for whatever type of wedding your having- elegant or casual, indoor or outdoor because of their versatility.

Take a look below at some gorgeous carnation arrangements and see that I'm not lying!

Eat Drink Pretty

Veils: An Illustrated Guide

To wear a veil or not to is the eternal question asked by brides the world over.  It really just depends on your own personal preference and style, and there really isn't a right or wrong answer.  If you do decide to wear a veil, here is a guide, featuring the lovely designs of Sara Gabriel, to help you through the decision making process. 

There are a few things to consider when choosing a veil- width, length, cut, color, and what types of embellishments you want.  I will explain each of these in greater detail below...

Width:

The width of the veil is determined by the width of the fabric before it is gathered.  Veils typically come in two standard widths- 108" and 72" wide.  Basically, the wider the veil, the poofier it will be.  Most veils are 108", but if you are going for a simpler look then the 72" size might be the way to go.  Veils can be made out of any width fabric, so if you want something even fuller than 108" or slimmer than the 72", then some veil companies will make custom changes. 

Length:

There are lots of different lengths to choose from when picking your veil.  The exact measurement differs based on your height, so they will either order a standard measurment (each company's are different) or they will do a custom measured length. 

Chin length

Chin length is most typically seen in a Russian or French netting style, but can sometimes also be seen in tulle (like the one pictured) and can be worn either as a blusher or as a veil.  It is best paired with sophisticated, minimalistic gowns.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Drew"

Shoulder length.

Shoulder length is a lesser common style, but can still be really pretty.  It is best paired with less formal styles.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Emma"

Elbow Length

Elbow length is a very common style.  It is best paired with gowns that don't have a lot of detail on the back of the dress and don't have a definitive waist seam, such as a plain mermaid or sheath style (like the style illustrated below).  The reason being the veil creates a line across your back and can detract from pretty details on the back of the dress and can also cut you off in a weird spot.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Ava"

Fingertip Length

Fingertip length is a great length because it is a short style but doesn't cut you off like elbow length does.  It is also versatile as far as what styles it works best with.  It can be paired easily with simple or more formal styles, as long as it hits about an inch or so below the waist line of the dress.  Otherwise you run into the same issues as you do with elbow length.

 

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Jessica"

Knee Length

Knee length is another versatile length that works well with many styles of gowns.  It is long enough to not disrupt the details on the back of the dress, but short enough to be out of the way.  Just make sure that it isn't cutting off any of the pretty train details. 

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Sabina"

Floor Length

Floor length is great because you aren't cutting off the dress in a strange spot, but you can continue wearing it at the reception without it getting trampled.  It works fine with pretty much any style.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Renee"

Chapel Length

Believe it or not, chapel length is actually one of the most versatile and flattering veil styles.  Because it hits an inch or two past the train, it doesn't compete with the back of the gown at all.  It blends right into the dress, allowing the pretty details on the back of the dress to show through.  It works great with any style, even less formal ones (just embellish the veil accordingly), just as long as the train of the dress is an inch or two shorter than the veil.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Renee"

Cathedral Length

The same rules apply to cathedral length as chapel length.  It looks gorgeous with any style (including less formal styles), just make sure it hits at least an inch or two past the train of the gown.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Carolina"

Cut:

The cut of a veil determines the way the veil hangs and looks.  There are tons of different cuts, but I'm going to focus on the major ones.

Classic Round

The classic round style is the most common style.  It is cut from a large rectangular piece of tulle with rounded bottom edges.  It can be made into any length.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Grace"

Classic Square

The classic square is the same as the classic round, but the edges aren't rounded.  It can also be made into any length and looks great with any style gown.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Katie"

Mantilla

The mantilla is a traditional European style that is cut from a oval shaped piece of tulle and isn't gathered.  Traditionally is is edged with lace trim, but can be plain or have other types of embellishments as well.  It can be made into any length and looks great with any style gown.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Dahlia"

Cascade/ Waterfall

This style features an edge that ripples down.  It looks best with a simpler style gown because the veil's unique shape can detract from the gown.  Sometimes it's cut to look like it is two separate layers- one long and one short, like the "Ella" style below.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Ella"

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Lena"

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Breanna"

Blusher

The blusher style is cut a few different ways, and it is pinned to your hair to cover your face.

Veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Collette"

Color

Veils typically come in at least white and ivory, but usually more colors too.  The key is to try and match the color of your veil to your gown exactly.  Ignore the color names because everyone's version of color is different.  Instead hold veil swatches up to your dress and go from there.  If there isn't an exact match, then go with the veil color that is a shade darker.  Never go lighter with the veil color or else your gown will look dirty.

Embellishments

There are a number of different ways to embellish a veil.  It all just depends on how detailed your dress is and what your tastes are. 

Lace

Lace is gorgeous, but can be a bit overwhelming.  It looks best with lace gowns or more plain styles, but can also work with detailed gowns too, it just depends on your taste.

Alencon lace veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Kristen"

Rhinestones

Rhinestones add sparkle to your veil.  Make sure you choose a company that puts rhinesones on each side of the tulle, back to back.  Otherwise you see the glue on the other side- not pretty.

Rhinestone embellished veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Karen"

Pearls

Pearls add a pretty, classic touch to your veil.  The also look great combined with rhinstones and crystals.

Pearl detailed veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Audrey"

Soutache trim

Soutache is a braided trim that adds a level of elegance to veils.  It best matched with a simple style gown.

Soutache trimmed veil by Sara Gabriel, style "Ava"

Veils can also be trimmed with ribbon or have a "pencil edge" using fine tread.  Anytime you have a thick edge, it can sometimes create a frame around you, so they are typically best paired with a simpler gown.

So what's the deal with blushers?

A blusher is a layer of tulle that folds over your face and gets put to the back during the ceremony.  It is completely a matter of personal preference whether or not to have one.  Alot of times the longer layers of the veil are made detachable, so you just have the short blusher layer for the reception. 

{All images via Sara Gabriel}

Have other questions about veils?? Feel free to ask in the comments sections!!

-A

Related Posts:

Pretty headpieces that aren't tiaras...

21 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Shopping for Your Gown

A Guide to Recognizing Your Fabrics

A Guide to Recognizing Your Fabrics

It's very important (in my opinion anyways) to know at least a little bit about fabric before you go shopping for wedding gowns/ maids dresses/ mom's dresses etc.  Most assume that the price of a dress is mainly based on the how much detail it has (embroidery, beading) but that's not totally true.  Fabric actually has a much greater impact on the price of a dress.  Because most dresses are made by machine in far away places like Taiwan or China, they really don't cost very much to make because the labor costs are (sadly) so cheap.  The materials, along with the complexity of the design, are actually what really drive the cost up. A dress that is made of polyester satin and covered in embroidery and beadwork will still most likely be less expensive than a dress made of silk satin with no embroidery or beadwork because silk satin is really expensive.  There are pros and cons to different types of fabric, so it really just depends on what your looking for and how much you want to spend.  Being a fabric junkie, I am partial to richer fabrics but everyone is different.  So, here is The Ethereal Bride's handy fabric guide to hopefully help you make sense of the big sea of white that lays before you. 

First of all, there are two aspects of fabric that you need to understand- how it's made and what it's made of.  How it's made refers to whether or not it's knit or woven and what type of knit or weave it is.  Typically, most special occasion fabrics are woven, except for some stretch jersey, so I'll just focus on that.  The way a fabric is woven determines how it feels to the touch and how it flows on the body.  Some examples of different types of weaves are satin, taffeta, and organza.  What it's made of refers to what type of fibers were used to make the fabric.  Some examples are cotton, silk, acetate, linen, and polyester.  Sometimes a combination of fibers is used such as a silk/cotton blend.  Below, I will discuss the most common fabrics in greater detail.

Polyester Satin

Most people have horrible 1970's flashbacks when they think of polyester, but it's actually super versatile and probably the most common fabric used in the bridal industry.  Shocking, I know.  Poly satin is a super common satin because it looks very similar to silk satin but is way less expensive, more wrinkle resistant, and way less delicate.  Keep in mind, there are many different quality levels of poly satin.  There is a difference between a $99 poly satin gown and a $1900 one.

Pros: Less expensive than silk, more wrinkle resistant than natural fabrics, comes in any color, durable

Cons: Not as rich looking or feeling as silk satin, heavy and can be hot to wear

Best time of year to wear: Fall, winter or spring, however, it can defintely be worn in summer also just note that you may get overheated during an outdoor ceremony or photos. 

Polyester satin gown by Allure Bridals; style# 8759

Polyester Chiffon

Like poly satin, poly chiffon is the most common type of chiffon in the bridal market.  It is characterized by it's sheer, flowy look. 

Pros: Less expensive than silk chiffon, lightweight, comes in any color

Cons: Wrinkles easily but not as easily as silk, delicate

Best time to wear: During warmer weather months

Polyester chiffon gown by David's Bridal; style# 9743

Taffeta

Taffeta is often made of a number of different fibers- nylon, acetate, silk or polyester.  It is characterized by it's swishy and sometimes wrinkled texture.  The stiffer the taffeta, the better the quality.  To test the quality, scrunch a handful of the fabric, if it stays somewhat scrunched then it is good quality, if it springs back to being flat, then it is of lesser quality.  Unlike other synthetic fabrics, certain synthetic taffetas are sometimes even better quality than silk taffeta, such as the Enzoani style featured below.

Pros: Lightweight, looks good if it's a little wrinkled, can come in any color, durable, synthetic varieties can be less expensive than silk (but not always), because of the way it's woven it can come in iridescent (almost two tone) colors

Cons: Not as lustrous as satin, some don't like the "swish" sound it makes

Best time of year to wear: Taffeta is perfect anytime of year because it's rich enough for winter months but lightweight enough for the hottest months

Iridescent crinkle taffeta dress by Bari Jay; style# 933

Nylon taffeta gown by Enzoani; style "Brie"

Silk taffeta gown by Jasmine Couture; style# T939

Silk Satin

Silk satin (sometimes referred to as peau de soie or duchesse) is probably the richest fabrics due to it's lustrous appearance and buttery soft feel.  Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive.  Just to give you a little perspective of just expensive silk satin is- at my local fabric retailer silk taffeta costs $25 per yard whereas the silk satin costs $75 per yard.  However, in my esteemed opinion, it's worth every penny. 

Pros: Very luxurious look and feel, much more lightweight than poly satin

Cons: Very expensive, not as durable as poly satin, heavier than some other fabrics, like all silk fabrics it can't come in stark white because silk can't be safely bleached without ruining the integrity of the fabric

Best time of year to wear: Probably best in cooler monts but can be worn anytime of year, just be aware that you may become overheated during outdoor summer ceremonies

Silk duchesse satin gown by St. Pucchi; style# 9322

Silk Organza

Organza is basically a stiffer chiffon; it is just as sheer but not really flowy.  It also comes in poly or nylon, but I am only going to talk about silk organza because it is much more common and many of the properties are similar. 

Pros: Luxurious, lightweight,

Cons: Wrinkles easily, delicate, expensive but not as expensive as silk satin

Best time of year to wear: Typically during warmer months, however, can really be worn anytime of year

Silk organza gown by James Clifford; style# J11009S

Dupioni Silk & Silk Shantung

Dupioni silk and silk shantung are very similar fabrics, so I'm just going to lump them together.  They are both a plain weave using raw silk yarns (other silk fabrics' yarns are processed to give them their silky texture), the only difference between the two is that the yarns used in dupioni silk are "slubbed", which means the yarn's thickness is inconsistant, creating a uniquely textured fabric.

Pros: Fairly lightweight, rich look and feel, comes in lots of gorgeous bright colors, maintains volume without lots of crinolines underneath 

Cons: Wrinkles pretty easily, expensive, some don't like the "raw" texture

Best time of year to wear: Anytime of year because it is lightweight enough for warm months but rich enough for cold months

Verbena silk shantung dress by Watters; style# 4912

Midori dupioni silk dress by Watters; style# 6456

Silk Charmeuse

Silk charmeuse, also sometimes referred to as "crepe backed satin" is a form of silk satin, but is super thin and flowy. It is primarily used in body conscious styles with lots of draping. 

Pros: Super luxuious feel and look, less expensive than silk satin, drapes and flows really easily

Cons: Very delicate, more expensive than synthetic fabrics,

Best time of year to wear: Warmer months but can work during cold months because of it's rich appearance

Silk charmeuse gown by Vera Wang; style "Cassandra"

Silk charmeuse dress by Melissa Sweet; style# MS321

Tulle

Most people know tulle as the fabric commonly used in tutus, but it is also used in wedding gowns as well.  It is characterized by it's stiffness, sheerness, and ability to create really full skirts.  It is typically made of nylon but can also made of silk. 

Pros: Lightweight, fairly inexpensive, hides wrinkles fairly well

Cons:  Delicate, too poofy for some tastes, not as rich looking as other fabrics

Best time of year to wear: Anytime of year

Flower girl dress with tulle skirt by Johanna Grace; style# "Arabesque"

Tulle gown by Impression; style# 3073

Silk Chiffon

Silk chiffon (also known as silk mousseline or silk crinkle chiffon) is very similar to synthetic chiffon.  It is sheer and very lightweight.

Pros:  Lightweight, soft texture

Cons: Very delicate, expensive, some don't like it's raw texture

Best time of year to wear: Warm months

Silk mousseline dress by Watters; style# 4017B

{Images via their respective websites}

Want to know what the deal is with other fabrics?? Ask me in the comments section below!!

-Alessandra

Related Posts:
How to Mix and Match Bridesmaids Styles
21 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Shopping for Your Gown
Veils: An Illustrated Guide