Satin Fabric: Perfect For Your Wedding Gown

Even you would agree that classic wedding gowns are timeless. Despite the changing tides in the fashion circuit over the years, classic styles always stay in demand. Today, you will find that all bridal boutiques today offer a diverse range of wedding fabrics, but the satin fabric still stands as one of the most popular choices.

It is highly supportive, quite dense, and comes with a uniquely subtle yet distinctive sheen. At the same time, the fabric can give structure to every body type. No wonder satin wedding fabric is always in high demand in the bridalwear industry. It is also ideal for ball gowns and all the styles with ruched and draped waist styles.

It will be worthwhile to mention that satin is not a fabric such as silk, it is a finish. This popular glossy fabric can be made of polyester, pure silk, or a blend of both.

Although natural fabrics are more breathable than their synthetic counterparts, they get creases more easily. They are more expensive, too. That is why synthetic-blended satins are used more widely. However, if budget is not a constraint for you, you can opt for bridal satin made of 100 percent silk. You should know about this beautiful and seductive fabric and see what it has to offer.

What Are the Origins of Satin?

Satin dates back to medieval China, where it was made exclusively using silk. Interestingly, the weave originated in the Chinese port city of Quanzhou. The place was then called Zaitun in medieval Arabic – hence the name satin today.

Note that the fabric and weaving techniques were both passed along the Silk Road. Later it came to be widely produced across the Middle East.

Italy in Europe was the first Western country that produced satin fabric in the twelfth century. The material slowly became popular across Europe, especially in the fourteenth century. You would be surprised to know that much of the furniture in the Palace of Versailles has satin upholstery.

Attributes That Make Satin the Most Attractive Bridal Fabric Choice

Beautiful drape

This satin fabric has a high fiber concentration making it pliable. This feature makes the material creates a soft, flowy drape ideal for a variety of bridal wear silhouettes.

Sheen

This material is created with a unique thread organization method called warp-and-weft. As a result, the front side of this fabric is soft, shiny, and lustrous, and the back side is dull.

Durability

In satin fabric, long filament fibers are woven taut, making the material stronger than other plain weave fabrics.

The fabric might look stiff in the picture but be aware of its soft appearance. This fabric is more substantial than most wedding fabrics.

Wrinkle-resistant

Unlike other natural fabrics, satin does not wrinkle easily. As far as this fabric is concerned, the thicker the material, the less likely they will get wrinkles.

What Exactly is Satin Fabric?

It is important to note that satin is a type of weave featuring – which gives a remarkably smooth and glossy face side. Most often created out of silk, and hence silk satin fabric is renowned – because it is the first choice for evening dresses.

You will find satin fabric comes in a range of different weights and typically has a smooth and lustrous surface that looks very attractive. This weave actually originated 2,000 years ago in the Chinese port of Quanzhou. Over the period, it eventually spread from Asia to the west.

Historically, upholstery extensively used satin fabric. For instance, Louis XIV used it to cover his furniture in the palace. These days it is commonly used for evening gowns, dresses, lingerie, boxer shorts, ballet shoes, ties, hats, and even bedding. Coat lining fabrics are often made from satin. Its smooth surface allows the coat to glide effortlessly over other materials beneath it.

Difference

It is important to note that there needs to be more clarity on the difference between silk and satin. You need to know that satin is a type of weave and is not a raw material like other fabrics. Unlike silk which is produced by silkworms. Even silk can be used to make satin.

The name satin refers to a type of weave, often constructed by floating warp yarns across the weft before it goes beneath one weft thread. The next cycle starts again. This weave has fewer interlaces, creating the smooth and lustrous surface all know and love.

Satin fabric is shining because the light reflecting is not scattered by the fibers. Some people still believe that satin fabric can only be made from silk. Originally, this was the case when the process originated in China, but today it is not the case.

Typical Characteristics

Satin can be made of both natural and synthetic fibers, so it varies in quality. Still, there are some characteristics common for all satin types available. What are they?

Satin has one glossy side and one dull side.
The fabric is super smooth and falls dramatically. This feature makes it look luxurious and seductive when you wear it in the form of a gown.
Satin weaves are flexible and hence can be formed around compound curves.
People with long hair prefer satin dresses and sheets. The reason being their hair is less likely to tangle. The hair strands glide over rather than creating friction as they would with cotton.
Satin that is made from pure silk is hypoallergenic and highly breathable.

What Are the Different Types of Satin?

Do you know that there are several different types of satin? They primarily vary based on what fibers are used in the weave and which type of satin weave is used.

Here are a few examples of satin weaves:

Antique satin. This type uses unevenly spun yarns as the weft threads. It is woven in the 5 harness or 8 harness fashion.
Baronet satin. This type of satin uses rayon warp threads and cotton weft threads. Hence it is considered extremely lustrous.
Charmeuse. Charmeuse satin derived its name from the French word – charmer. It is very lightweight with an easy drape. This form has the traditional characteristics of satin with a dull back and shiny front.
Crepe back satin. It is reversible. It means one side has the lustrous, satin finish and the reverse side of the fabric has a crepe texture.
Duchess satin. Duchess satin is known to have a heavy fabric. It is stiffer and has less luster than standard satin fabric you may find. It has dyed solid colors and is used for dresses.
Messaline. This form of satin is very extremely lightweight and has a high shine. The reason being it is woven from silk or rayon.
Polysatin. This is an abbreviation for satin woven from polyester threads.
Slipper satin. This satin, you will notice, is tightly woven. It is a medium-weight fabric used for shoes, accessories, and clothing.

What makes satin fabric an ideal choice for wedding gowns?

As you know, satin fabric is known for its lustrous finish and attractive drapes. It holds a special place in the hearts of dressmakers and designers. Satin’s demand as wedding fabric is the highest among all other types of wedding fabrics.

Thanks to its unique features, the surface of the satin material is smooth and shiny. Moreover, its thick density makes it compatible with different types of dress trimming. Satin wedding dresses allow you to use various accents such as beads, rhinestones, and laces.

Due to its unique properties, the fabric neither stretches nor folds easily. Besides being versatile, it is also one of the most durable bridal fabrics. With a smooth finish and a lot of body – satin is ideal for more structured gowns.

Points to remember while choosing satin fabric

When choosing satin as your wedding dress fabric, there are a few tips you should keep in mind. To begin with, consider the season before choosing a satin wedding gown.

If you are planning a summer wedding, satin will not be a good choice. It will not only make you feel hot and uncomfortable, but it will crease very easily with sweat.

On the other hand, winter brides can easily choose a satin wedding dress as it is the best way to keep you naturally warm. It will also avoid wearing a bolero or scarf for additional warmth or layering. Interestingly, Duchess satin is the best choice for weddings in the colder months.

Which Satin Is Best for a Wedding Dress?

Silk Shantung Satin

This lightweight and thin satin are perfect for making draped-style wedding gowns. It is suitable for outdoor ceremonies and especially beach weddings. Most importantly, satin can flatter almost every body type. Brides seeking a little extra stretch can easily opt for this satin material.

Grace Satin

This is one of the heaviest and thickest satin materials. As such, this fabric is ideal for brides – looking to flaunt a voluminous wedding gown style, such as a ball gown. Grace Satin gives an exquisite look. The fabric provides an excellent structure for any wedding dress. Moreover, it offers excellent support to the silhouettes that require support.

Silk Duchess Satin

Another variety, the Duchess or Queen satin, is glossy and rich and glossy on one side and matte and textured on the other. It is ideal if you want to create an A-line and ball-gown style dress. The reason being their heavyweight allows the silhouette to hold its shape perfectly.

Final Thought

With all its smoothness and sheen, satin wedding fabric has something regal about it. In addition, they are exceptionally smooth to the touch. No wonder they have long been labeled as the Queen amongst dress fabrics. Today you will get a diverse range of satin wedding fabrics. Select your material according to the season and the silhouette of your dress.