Winter Wedding
If you're planning a winter wedding, there are a few fabrics you should consider when choosing your bridesmaid dresses. And winter weddings often take place in the afternoon, if not entirely in the winter months. Therefore, the type of fabric is almost as important as the venue and food for your bridesmaids.
With that in mind, it's worth noting fabrics with low luster and sheen is best at a winter wedding. So to help you out, we decided to give you some winter wedding trends regarding bridesmaid dresses fabrics that we think won't let you down.
Satin
Satin fabric is one of the most sought-after fabrics for bridesmaid dresses. It is a luxury fabric, making it suitable even for the most formal wedding. The material is highly reflective, making it an excellent choice to spice your wedding photos. The fabric also has an elegant feel, and it has been used for centuries in making gowns and wedding dresses.
Here are some tips you need to know about satin fabric for bridesmaid dresses at winter weddings:
Satin Fabric Characteristics
Satin is known for its smooth, glossy surface. It is often described as "a weave constructed so that the warp threads interlace with the weft threads by passing over one and then under two or more weft threads." It also has a beautiful sheen, which adds to its elegance. There are many different types of satin that come in various colors depending on your preference:
- Duchess Satin - Often called 'English' or 'Royal' satin. This satin-type is similar to charmeuse but is not as lustrous. It usually has a stiffer form than charmeuse and spun silk, which holds its shape better.
- Charmeuse Satin - is a luxurious satin fabric with a lustrous front side with a soft textured backside. It is incredibly soft, which makes it ideal for clothing and linens. While this fabric was once only available in silk, it is now available in artificial and natural fibers like silk, rayon, nylon, and polyester. It is also available in blends that combine both fibers to reduce costs and improve durability.
- Peau De Soie - On the other hand, this satin is slightly heavier than charmeuse and duchess satin but still has a lustrous sheen. Peau de soie means "skin of silk" in French and is usually made from cotton-wrapped polyester, rayon, or acetate yarns. So, it's not only mainstream for wedding gowns but also for bridesmaid dresses. And when used for bridesmaid dresses, peau de soie has a more distinct texture than charmeuse and duchess satin.
Chiffon
Chiffon is an elegant fabric that can be utilized for bridesmaid dresses in various ways. Here are some helpful tips for using chiffon bridesmaid dresses:
Consider Color
The color is the first thing to think about when selecting chiffon fabric for bridesmaid dresses. Chiffon will look fantastic in darker, deeper hues if you plan a winter wedding. Some of the best colors for winter weddings include emerald green, deep purple, or navy blue. Other options include burgundy and black (if you're not too traditional). And one of the best things about chiffon fabric is that it's so versatile! You can choose from many different styles and designs to make your bridesmaids look their best on your special day.
Think About Style
There are many different ways you can use chiffon fabric for bridesmaid dresses! Even if you're not planning a winter wedding, this fabric can still be ideal for an elegant or vintage feel. Since the material is light and airy, it works best with flowing styles and softer silhouettes. This allows the dress to feel light and fluttery on your bridesmaids.
Those who dream of a winter wedding will find that chiffon can also be used to make stunning gowns. For example, chiffon over satin or taffeta is a popular dress choice. This gives your bridesmaids extra warmth while still allowing them to rock a gorgeous gown. And chiffon bridesmaid dresses over satin or taffeta are often strapless or have thin spaghetti straps. For instance, Cicinia offers detachable straps on chiffon bridesmaid dresses which is pretty handy if you have one of your bridesmaids who's uncomfortable wearing strapless dresses. Nevertheless, there are many options out there so you can find the look you want in the colors that match your wedding
Length
There are two main options for a chiffon bridesmaid dress. The first is to use a long-length chiffon fabric for everyone. This is a standard option and looks best if your wedding is in the evening.
Using short lengths of chiffon fabric is the other way to go. You can mix and match patterns and colors but still create a unified look. You could have some knee-length dresses while others are tea-length, or have one type of dress with colored trim, while others have plain colored dresses. This can look great when choosing one color and different shades, such as pale pink, medium pink, and hot pink.
You could also use different lengths according to the bridesmaid's body shape. For example, tall bridesmaids could wear floor-length dresses while shorter ones wear knee-length dresses.
Tulle
If you want a little bit of sparkle to your winter wedding, go for a tulle fabric for your bridesmaid dresses. This adds an extra touch of elegance and can be used in many different ways.
Tulle Fabric Color Options
Tulle is worn in different color options like silk white, ivory white, blush pink, lavender, red, purple, etc. The deep and rich color tones add warmth to a bridesmaid dress during winter. If you opt for a lighter shade, it will look better if you pair it with a lovely contrasting shawl or a scarf. This will keep your bridesmaids warm and look trendy while attending your wedding.
Tulle Fabric Lining
Since the tulle fabric has some transparency, make sure that the lining of your bridesmaids' dresses is not see-through, or else they might look too revealing. You can use satin as the inner lining of your bridesmaids' dresses or cotton tulle to ensure that they are comfortable and feel warm inside.
You can also add a layer of faux fur under the satin lining to make it more warm and stylish. Also, make sure that the tulle is of good quality to stay dry and fresh even after getting wet.
Tulle Fabric Accessories
You can also select some accessories for your bridesmaids' dresses with the tulle fabric. For example, you can choose accessories such as belts, headbands, sashes, bows, ribbons, and veils made using this fabric.
And if you choose a full-length dress, opt for long pendant necklaces. You can also use bracelets. Or, if you want to give them a cute look, you can select some beautiful hair accessories like flowers, jeweled headbands, and stylish clips.
Velvet
When it comes to winter weddings, velvet makes it to the list of one of the best fabrics for this season. And not just because it's "in" right now; it's the rich feel and luxurious velvet look making it perfect for a formal wedding ceremony in the coldest months. It's also heavier than most other fabrics, but that weight helps keep your bridesmaids warm on a chilly day.
So, if you're considering this fabric, here are some points to remember:
Keep the color consistent
Velvet is a specific fabric with a unique appearance, so it's important to keep the color consistent throughout your bridesmaid dresses. For example, if one dress is red and another is maroon, they will look very different, even though they are both shades of red. That's because velvet fabric looks darker than other fabrics in bright lighting, so you want to make sure that all colors aren't too different.
Find a balance between comfort & style
As mentioned above, the benefit of velvet is that it's a thicker material and, therefore, warmer for winter weddings. However, if you don't choose an appropriate dress style or size, you might not be able to balance comfort with stylishness. You want your bridesmaids to feel comfortable during the entire wedding process, so make sure that the velvet bridesmaid dresses are loose enough around the arms and chest area without being baggy or falling off the shoulders. Also, make sure the fabric isn't too heavy or thick so that your bridesmaids can move around comfortably.
Don't use bold patterns
Avoid bold patterns if you want to use velvet as the main fabric for your bridesmaid dresses. The texture and sheen of the material will stand out enough without anything more than a solid color. However, if you choose to incorporate patterns, ensure that the background color matches the velvet shade.
Crepe
Well, when it comes to elegance and versatility, don't forget about crepe, as it is an ideal option as well.
However, there are some differences between crepe fabrics. They vary in weight (thickness), fluidity of drape, and stretchiness.
- Weight - Crepe fabric can range from very lightweight to medium weight. Light crepes are more comfortable than medium-weight ones, but they may not suit more formal occasions.
- Drape - Crepe comes in a range of drapes - from stiff to loose. Bridesmaids' dresses made from crepe with a stiffer drape will be less prone to wrinkles than those made from a looser drape. However, if you're planning on having a lot of pleats or ruffles in the design, you might want to choose something with a softer drape, as it will give you more flexibility when styling the dress.
- Stretchiness - Some crepes have a tiny bit of stretch in them, whereas other types do not. Therefore, if you plan to make your own bridesmaid dresses or have them made by a dressmaker or couture dressmaker, and if you are shopping at a bridal shop or department store, they may use "crepe" as a general term for all crepe-like fabrics. So, it's important to be mindful when choosing this fabric.
Conclusion
In the end, you want to find the right balance between what you love and what your bridesmaids are comfortable wearing. Remember, it's their night too! Don't be afraid to ask them what they're looking for. But also try to keep in mind that comfort levels will vary significantly at this time of year. Check here for more inspirations for choosing bridesmaid dresses according to seasons.
