Bridal Satin: One the more popular dress terms, while not always used for weddings, at MK Prom, our dresses made with bridal satin feature an ultra smooth fabric made from man-made fibres in a beautiful weave (closely woven) that creates a beautiful patina. We have stock featuring silk and other thread types.
Brocade: a heavy, thick jacquard fabric with an overall interwoven pattern or floral design that is raised. Brocade can give your dress a rich feel and exquisite look as though the gown was created for royalty.
Charmeuse: A real MK Prom Dress favourite, draping fantastically, and often used as a lining for other fabrics. Sometimes made with polyester, the silk version offers a lustrous feel.
Crepe: covers a wide range of fabrics including synthetics and silk identified by a grainy surface that can crinkle or crimp. Creates a sophisticated and clean line when sewn.
Crepe back satin: a light to mid-weight reversible fabric: smooth, high lustre satin weave on one faces; dull crepe weave backing on other face. Both sides can be used giving you the option of a shiny side or a matte side.
Chiffon: Of all dress terms used at MK Prom, this lightweight, sheer and transparent fabric is one of the favourites! With soft feel and delicate look. Ideal for flowing designs. Season-less fabric and a long-time favourite for evening wear, especially Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom dresses. Flows freely over your curves for a flattering fit.
Crushed Velvet: thick pile of different heights make this woven fabric have a crushed look. Added elegance: glimmers in certain light. Take note: crushed velvet for evening typically is worn from early November to early March when the weather is colder. Most women find it is unsuitable during Spring and Summer. It’s just too hot to wear when the temperature climbs above 50 degrees F.
Crepe de Chine: Softer and shiner than crepe back satin and lighter in weight, an old-time favourite comes in rayon or silk.
Damask: distinctive fabric noted by soft sheen and woven pattern same colour as the background, usually a floral design. Tends to be a thicker, heavier material.
Dupioni Silk: textured fabric with highly irregular weave, tiny nubs on surface and rich lustre. Heavier and thicker texture than Shantung silk. Very elegant and rich looking!
Duchesse Satin: smooth, full bodied fabric with sheen often a mix of silk and man-made fibres such as polyester, acetate or rayon makes it a favourite for full or A-line skirts. Brides love this satin because it flows beautifully coming down the aisle.
Faille: stiff fabric with ribbed texture made from such fibres as polyester, cotton and silk.
Georgette: lightweight, sheer fabric often made from silk or man-made fibres such as polyester. More opaque than chiffon. Illusion: transparent, thin fabric typically used to create sheer sleeves, bodices, and backs.
Jacquard: At MK Prom, we do get a few requests for a good jacquard weave, as this soft and silky woven fabric if great for the chillier months in Milton Keynes. Brocade and Damask for example are jacquard woven fabrics. This fabric exudes sophistication. It’s timeless and classic.
Lace: delicate netting with fine embroidery often in such designs as flowers. The best quality lace is handmade. But machine-made lace made today can be exquisite and suitable to embellish with sequins, beads or pearls.
Linen: lightweight natural fabric made from flax fibre used for more casual clothing. Beware! Line wrinkles easily and is very difficult to pack.
Matte: refers to a smooth fabric without a shine or glass. Typically applied to satin.
Moiré: stiff fabric with a design woven in, creating a watermark effect usually of silk or polyester.
Organza: crisp, sheer, transparent and lightweight fabric made from silk, nylon, or polyester. Heavier and stiffer feel than chiffon works well in wedding gowns for overskirt.
Peau de soie: (French: skin of silk) medium to heavy fabric with a satin weave and dull lustre. Very haute couture!
Peau Satin: heavy twill satin with a smooth finish and soft shine.
Satin: We get alot of requests at MK Prom for this soft woven fabric with a lustrous smooth surface and back. Ask in our salon for the wide range of sheen options — making it very popular for formal dresses.
Silk: luxurious natural fibre woven from the fibres of silkworm cocoons that come in a variety of textures with finishes. Soft, elegant and strong.
Shantung: medium-weight, plain-weave fabric in silk or polyester with a nub feel and textured effect.
Taffeta: light to heavy synthetic fabric with body, crispness, and sheen. Smooth surface shines when hit by light. Adds stiffness to full skirts on ball gowns.
Tulle: Light, transparent and fine open weave netting often sewn for wedding veils and layered for ball gown skirts. Also used as net to create illusion bodices.
Velvet: luxurious heavyweight fabric woven with a cut pile finish made of silk, velvet or rayon. Finish creates a soft feel with subtle shine. Limited use as it is best to wear velvet in the Winter.