The Wedding Dress Detail All Brides Should Pay Attention To
If you’re newly engaged and beginning the hunt for the perfect wedding dress, there’s one important detail you might want to consider: the wedding dress fabric. After all, the dress sets the tone for the wedding and knowing what to look for can help narrow your search. To help lead you in the right direction, we enlisted the help of Lanie List, founder of Lovely Bride. She admits that “when choosing a fabric for a wedding dress, the biggest thing to consider is how you want your gown to fit.”
If you have your sights set on a ballroom wedding or more formal event, you’ll want to look for fabrics that work with those dress styles. List shares, “If you are a fan of something that molds to your body and ‘does the work for you,’ look for a heavier-weight fabric in a strong weave, like a mikado or faille. These fabrics are great for classic gowns because they hold their shape (and you) beautifully. These fabrics are ideal for modern, timeless gowns with clean architectural lines.”
On the other hand, many brides prefer a less structured style. And List suggests that “if you are more of a free spirit who wants plenty of movement in her gown, opt for chiffons and organzas.” These more etherial fabrics lend a romantic element to the dress and are perfect for a wedding in a vineyard or on the beach. List shares that “they flow with the wind, which can make for gorgeous outdoor shots. Just be careful that you have the right venue for these lightweight and airy fabrics. Since organza and chiffon are delicate fabrics, they don’t always play nicely with natural terrains. Plan to take most of your photos before the wedding, so you can shrug off any wear and tear that happens on the dance floor.” Ahead, shop some of our favorite wedding dress styles.
Stuctured
Flowy
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
-
2025's Biggest Engagement Ring Trend Is Already Dividing the Internet
My group chat is heated.
By Ana Escalante
-
What to Wear to a Wedding, According to Every Dress Code
Consider this your cheat sheet.
By Michaela Bushkin
-
This Fashion Publicist Wore a Saint Laurent Dress and Crystal Heels on Her Wedding Day
"I can say for certain, when you know, you know."
By Kristen Nichols
-
The Wedding Issue 2024
Everything that matters in the nuptial space this year.
By Who What Wear
-
A Disco Party, 3 Custom Dresses, and Dancing Until Dawn—This Wedding Had It All
See every detail from the destination weekend in Turkey.
By Kristen Nichols
-
The Bride Wore Mirror Palais and a Red Áo Dài for Her Intimate California Wedding
This wedding is filled with the most heart-warming details.
By Lauren Eggertsen
-
Handmade Pasta and an Italian Band Set the Mood for This Stunning Portofino Wedding
See every detail from the destination weekend.
By Kristen Nichols
-
I'm a Fashion Editor Who Loves to Travel—30 Essentials I'm Packing This Year
Seriously good travel items ahead.
By Grace O'Connell Joshua