# Is taffeta a bad material for a wedding dress? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 3, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985 "2011-02-03T04:10:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Faelyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c77e96/32.png) [@Faelyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faelyn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/1 "2011-02-03T04:10:56Z")
I recently got engaged and was browsing through some dresses online and found one that really makes me excited - but it’s make out of taffeta. I realized I have no idea what kind of fabric this is. Is it a good thing? I’m kinda out of my league here and need some opinions! Any words of wisdom? ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/2 "2011-02-03T04:19:45Z")
Taffeta is stiffish and rustly. Does it say what the taffeta is made out of? Silk, polyester, what? ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/3 "2011-02-03T04:22:50Z")
> [@Meagan](#): > > I recently got engaged and was browsing through some dresses online and found one that really makes me excited - but it’s make out of taffeta. I realized I have no idea what kind of fabric this is. Is it a good thing? I’m kinda out of my league here and need some opinions! Any words of wisdom? Taffeta is a smooth fabric with a hint of stiffness to it. I usually think of it in terms of structured formal gowns. It can be silk or (more commonly) a synthetic. It is a very common fabric for bridal gowns. It varies in thickness, usually depending on the intended use and price point. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/4 "2011-02-03T04:23:13Z")
Taffeta is a plain weave tightly woven cloth. It has a fairly stiff hand. How stiff will partly depend on the fiber content and how tightly it is woven. Silk taffeta, especially that which is not treated with metal salts (which makes the cloth heavier and subject to rapid decay), is less stiff than a synthetic. It has a matte luster in contrast to satin. It is a mainstay of traditional evening wear. The stiffness works well in wide skirts. The matte luster can be more flattering than satin. It is not drapey, not the thing if you want small soft pleats. If the dress design looks good, then there is nothing wrong with it being taffeta. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/5 "2011-02-03T04:24:44Z")
Do try to get a look of the actual dress. Some taffeta (barely worth the name) is not very tightly woven and looks cheap, like windbreaker material. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/6 "2011-02-03T04:40:56Z")
You would certainly need to see the dress in person and try it on - taffeta can tend to look a bit ‘promish’ if it’s not done well (i.e. a dress you should wear to the prom). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/7 "2011-02-03T05:29:20Z")
It sounds like you need to hit quite a few bridal shops before you start looking online. You need to see the fabrics, try them on, see how the bend and move with you, see how some of them stretch (or don’t), see how different cuts look on you, all that stuff. Since you’ve just started looking, I’d suggest trying on every style and fabric you can find that interests you (and maybe a few that don’t) - you just can’t tell until you feel the fabric and see how it looks _on you_. ---
**Author:** ![Faelyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c77e96/32.png) [@Faelyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faelyn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/8 "2011-02-03T11:41:46Z")
Ah gotcha gotcha. I have no idea of the blend of the fabric, the description says, “This brand new custom made taffeta dress features its sexy beaded cap-sleeve and bodice with mermaid rouched skirt in chapel train lace up plus size design . It can be used as informal wedding or detination wedding.” And that’s it. The dress itself looks amazing, and I just know it’s look amazing _on_ me. But I’ll still go haunt the bridal shops and try a bunch on. Thanks for the info, my wardrobe is usually just cotton tshirts and jeans! ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/9 "2011-02-03T12:21:43Z")
> [@Meagan](#): > > Ah gotcha gotcha. I have no idea of the blend of the fabric, the description says, “This brand new custom made taffeta dress features its sexy beaded cap-sleeve and bodice with mermaid rouched skirt in chapel train lace up plus size design . It can be used as informal wedding or detination wedding.” And that’s it. The dress itself looks amazing, and I just know it’s look amazing _on_ me. But I’ll still go haunt the bridal shops and try a bunch on. Is it affordable? If so, just buy it. I bought my wedding dress online, and never once darkened the door of a bridal shop. No regrets whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/10 "2011-02-03T12:39:27Z")
I LOOOOVE the rustly sound of taffeta. I agree with lee, though; if it’s not good taffeta, it could be too stiff and unforgiving, resulting in pulling or slouching. Can you ask the vendor for the blend, and maybe when you go try stuff on, look for dresses with that blend. It does sound lovely though! Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/11 "2011-02-03T12:42:40Z")
I don’t suppose you could link to it? If it is under $300, that is not too much to gamble on it fitting, in my opinion. Do you have a B or C cup? It may be difficult to get a great fit off the rack if you are not a B or C. ---
**Author:** ![Faelyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c77e96/32.png) [@Faelyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faelyn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/12 "2011-02-03T13:37:58Z")
Hehe, I’m definitely not a B or C, I fully fill out a D cup. The website offers either set sizes you could order, or you send them your exact measurements, which is what I was planning to do. And it’s definitely affordable, the price has been on a steady decline, and is now mooooore than reasonable! [Here it is](http://www.idealweddingdresses.com/cheap-taffeta-cap-sleeve-with-sexy-sweetheart-neckline-and-beaded-bodice-with-mermaid-rouched-skirt-in-chapel-train-lace-up-plus-size-2011-hot-sell-bridal-wedding-dress-wa-0087-2345.html), what do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/13 "2011-02-03T14:00:26Z")
That really IS a nice dress! And that’s a PHENOMENAL price! Could you go to a local bridal shop and try to find something like that to give you an idea if it would look good, then buy it? That ruching along the sides - that’s usually really flattering on most women. ---
**Author:** ![Faelyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c77e96/32.png) [@Faelyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faelyn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/14 "2011-02-03T14:11:13Z")
Thanks!! 😃 When I showed my mother the dress, she loved it, but when she saw the price she loved it even more! She wanted to get my measurements done _this weekend_, and order it then. Did I mention my wedding isn’t until June 16th, 2012? 😛 I plan on take the picture up to David’s Bridal and see if they have anything similiar, or even just some of the same material that I could feel. I’m hoping that ruching will help hide a few unflattering curves! When I first found it I had the dress in one small browser window with the page scrolled up to hide the model’s head and had a picture of me in another, and stacked the windows so it looked like I was wearing it, and it looked great!! ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/15 "2011-02-03T16:50:35Z")
Buy it!! Buy it!! Buy it!! Then again, I’m a [bit biased](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=428126&highlight=wedding+dress) on the whole “buying-a-cheap-dress-online-a-long-time-before-the-wedding” issue. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AshenLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@AshenLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AshenLady)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/16 "2011-02-03T17:20:26Z")
My first wedding gown was made of poie de soie. Try that out; it’s the most beautiful stuff there is. Taffeta is thin and rustling and swishing. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/17 "2011-02-03T18:50:08Z")
I really like it - just be aware it may be _noisy._ I don’t care to rustle that much, myself. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/18 "2011-02-04T01:58:46Z")
My worry would be that alterations would be difficult on the beaded bodice. but with the time you have and that price, I’d go for it. Hell, at that price you could afford to get a spare if you need more material. I hope it fits you well. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/19 "2011-02-04T05:08:57Z")
My great-grandmother got married in a gold taffeta dress. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985/20 "2011-02-04T12:46:40Z")
I don’t have anything to add to this discussion. I just wanted to say I sure had fun on that site! (The Muslim dresses were especially interesting.) Gorgeous dress you picked, **Meagan**! Go for it! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taffeta-a-bad-material-for-a-wedding-dress/569985.md?page=2)