Fabric is one of the most important aspects of your wedding dress. It affects the texture, drape and movement of each and every dress (and how it’ll appear in photographs) When describing your dream dress to your consultant, it’ll help to have a basic knowledge of a few of the top bridal fabrics. After silhouette, a wedding dress is best described in the fabric you’re envisioning! Here are a few of the top fabrics used to construct dresses found at Kleinfeld:

Silk: Fiber made from silkworm cocoons. Silk fabric comes in many different varieties including shantung duchesse, zymboline and mikado.

Satin: A heavy, tightly woven fabric that’s glossy on the front and dull on the back.

Organza: A sheer fabric more flowy than tulle, but stiffer than chiffon. A favorite choice for multilayered skirts.

Taffeta: A light, crisp, lustrous fabric with a paper feel.

Pro-Tip: Organza and Taffeta are light weight fabrics perfect for summer weddings!

Tulle: A netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon. Tulle can be soft (as seen on veils or poofed ballerina skirts) or stiff (used in layers under skirts to give them body and volume).

Charmeuse: A lightweight, semi-lustrous fabric with a soft texture.

Chiffon: A delicate, semi transparent fabric with a soft finish. Most often seen layered on skirts or veiled.

Linen: A fabric woven from flax. It’s cooler than cotton but tends to wrinkle easily.

Pro-Tip: Linen wrinkles very easily. So you may want to be sure you take all your wedding portraits earlier in the day or prepare to retouch your photos!

Brocade: A heavy, intricate woven fabric with 3-D designs.

Damask: Similar to brocade with designs expressed in texture.

Illusion: Although not made of one specific fabric, this fine translucent netting is usually seen on neck panels, back panels or sheer sleeves.

Pro-Tip: Illusion netting is very delicate. Be careful not to wear jewelry that may snag it on your wedding day.

Lace: A delicate and classic open fabric made by made by looping, twisting, or knitting thread in patterns. There are many different types of lace from Alencon to Chantilly to Venice.