I'm going through the traumatic process that is wedding dress shopping, and I'm really open-minded about what I'll consider (you have to be when white isn't in the plans). But I didn't expect to fall in love with a taffeta dress online… Taffeta?!Searching taffeta even here brings up some pretty judge-y connotations, so I'm hoping you can help. Can we see a round-up of the most fabulous taffeta wedding dresses and break that stigma? – Jess
Thanks heaps!
Hi, Jess! Oh man, this is funny. The tagline of the first edition of Ariel's book was, Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides. It was changed in the second book since times changed pretty quickly. I think a decade ago (like from 2007 — bygone eras!), taffeta was just so popular and traditional that it actually did feel pretty offbeat to stray from fabrics like that. The really popular ones. Now with the breadth of fabrics available, most of us probably couldn't even find taffeta in a lineup if we had to. It's like dupioni silk, chiffon, charmeuse, and satin. All just fabrics that are associated with tradition and now just look pretty.
Ultimately, we've progressed into a time in alternative weddings where we're WAY less about rejecting traditions and more picking and choosing what resonates with us. And taffeta absolutely can. Offbeat weddings have come a long way since the rebel days and I love this relic from the past.
Taffeta was a bad word once upon a time (as most of those fabrics above were, too). But now? Who cares! Get the dress in the fabric that, as Marie Kondo would say, sparks JOY. I was so excited to start online shopping when I read your email, and here were the results.
Thanks for reaching out, Jess… enjoy your potentially-taffeta dress and share it with us when you get it!
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Hi Catherine
really nice dress and look so glamorous in this dress.
Love taffeta and Thai silk is still my ultimate favourite as it has such a soft sheen. X
Gorgeous selection of dresses! I love it when brides and couples in general dare to wear exactly what they fancy!
I once read an article that the headline was “friends don’t let friends wear taffeta” OMG! Yet now you see all these all these pictures of Grace Kelly’s wedding gown and I’ll bet that was silk taffeta under that lace. At one time I couldn’t stand chiffon.
As someone that has a bit a a fabric fetish and a mature middle-aged (that’s generous BTW) bride to be I’m freaking out over buying a dress for next year. All fabric has different properties, if you want structured skirt and bodice that almost makes music when you walk, taffeta is the way to go. If you think you may spill a drop of wine don’t get silk satin; long and flowing or soft chiffon can be lovely. I saw a crepe dress that was gorgeous but if not a heavy crepe it tends to show lumps and bumps you may not care to show. It’s only when I stopped to think and took a great big breath that I realized that the best thing for me to do is pick the fabric to match what I’d like and go from there. Taffeta is awesome and so is chiffon. It’s all good.