15 Chiffon Wedding Dress Ideas to Embrace Your Ethereal Side
If you think of fancy, pretentious attire when you hear the word “chiffon”, allow us to completely blow your mind. This ethereal fabric is the opposite of stuffy and tight. It’s gauzy, flowy, and perfect for draping – chiffon can make your wedding dress dreams come true!
We aren’t talking about chiffon cookies or cake (though you can have those at your wedding too). Chiffon fabric is lightweight, breathable, and a popular favorite among wedding dress designers. From boho to modern, this versatile fabric is commonly added to skirts as it billows very nicely.
When you think chiffon, think airy, delicate, and oh-so-comfortable! Get ready to fall in love with our top chiffon wedding dress picks.
What is Chiffon?
Chiffon is what wedding dress dreams are made of. It is sheer and breathable, meaning it won’t weigh you down as you dance the night away. A chiffon dress is also perfect for destination or summer weddings when the temperature can get quite warm.
Chiffon dresses became very popular in the 1960s and 70s. Worn by celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Pricilla Presley, gauzy chiffon fabric has continued to make brides swoon through the years and is still used in many bridal gowns today.
What is Chiffon made from?
It is made from woven cotton, synthetic fibers, silk, or rayon. Some chiffons have a shiny appearance to them, but most are sheer. If you think about the texture and appearance of gauze or tulle, you have a good idea of what chiffon feels and looks like. Though it isn’t scratchy, it isn’t exactly soft. For this reason, chiffon is commonly used as an exterior layer in dresses.
Why is Chiffon a good wedding dress choice?
It is such a light fabric that dresses can have many layers or gathers and it won’t feel heavy at all. Prized for its drape, the fabric holds a little bit of its structure but lays gracefully. Because it is sheer, it won’t hide the fabric or details of what is underneath when it is used as an overlay. Instead, chiffon just adds a barely visible layer of shimmer.
It is excellent for achieving stunning dress silhouettes, from diaphanous goddess to soft A-line. Unfortunately, the characteristics that make it so desirable also have a few disadvantages. It’s delicate so it can snag easily and may fray over time. Chiffon is also notoriously difficult to work with and doesn’t have a lot of stretch, so wedding dresses with a lot of the material may cost more to create and alter.
However, its soft appearance and airy weight will make you feel like you are floating down the aisle.
Favorite Chiffon Wedding Dresses
We’ve compiled a few of our favorite chiffon wedding dresses in various styles to help you narrow down your search!
1. Lace Chapel Train Chiffon Wedding Dress
This flowy David’s Bridal gown has ‘delicate’ written all over it. A barely-there bodice with sheer mesh panels and lace appliques is just the right amount of sultry. The deep-V of the top pairs very well with the natural waist of the skirt.
Made of soie chiffon, this dress is silky and weightless. A thigh-high slit combined with the airy chiffon material provides effortless movement.
2. Puff Sleeve Chiffon Dress
by Etsy: LebrideAtelier
Modern meets medieval with this stunning gown. A fitted sweetheart top is paired with statement-making puffed sleeves. The full pleated skirt is layered with chiffon, creating fullness and drama without weighing you down.
3. Long Sleeve Chiffon Wedding Dress
by BHLDN
Chiffon is perfect for long sleeves because it is so light. Barely-there sleeves with a touch of volume and a full-length skirt work surprisingly well with a thigh-high slit and a plunging neckline. The resulting wedding dress is sultry yet feminine, especially with the delicate floral appliques scattered throughout.
4. Chiffon Bridal Jumpsuit With Pockets
by CocoMelody
This is a powerhouse of a wedding ensemble and we are here for it! This modern jumpsuit has a tailor-fit lace bodice outfitted with silk V-neck lapels and cuffed sleeves. The chiffon wide-leg pants are flowy yet sleek and sophisticated.
Add the belt and you have a modern and polished look that would be amazing for a city hall wedding. Oh, and did we mention that it has pockets?!
5. Summer A-Line Chiffon Wedding Dress
by CocoMelody
The chiffon of this summer A-Line dress is just begging to be swept by sea breezes. The dainty lace bodice features a gorgeous scalloped, off-the-shoulder neckline. Flowy bell sleeves mirror the airy skirt complete with a court-length train.
A lace-up back is a sultry surprise. Whimsical and relaxed, this is a bohemian bride’s dream dress.
6. Tea Length Chiffon Wedding Dress
by Azazie
We love tea-length gowns here at Love and Lavender! They’re classic and have a vintage feel we can’t get enough of. This dress looks so refined, the supportive bodice is covered by sheer lace that ends in a boatneck. Studded with fragile lace appliques from top to bottom it is dainty and feminine.
Pair it with a sweeping updo to show off the sophisticated button back.
7. Chiffon Wedding Dress with Asymmetrical Neckline
by Azazie
We love the goddess vibes of this legendary Azazie asymmetrical neckline gown. As a column gown, the high waist accentuates your figure. Pleated layers of chiffon drape beautifully and mirror the pleats on the wrapped bodice.
A petite line of buttons down the left of the gown plays off the way the bodice wraps around the right shoulder in charming asymmetry.
8. Boho Lace Chiffon Wedding Dress
by Watters
This jaw-dropping dress truly has it all; chiffon, bowie lace, tulle, and organza. It is bohemian, but a very upscale and refined bohemian. The scalloped lace bodice creates an illusion that appears to gently drape off the shoulders only to tie in the back with a sweet tassel bow. Chevron lace intricately weaves down the flowy skirt and billowy sleeves.
They definitely got it right when they describe this dress as ‘elevated boho’. It’s downright dreamy.
9. Sheath Chiffon Wedding Dress
by Watters
This flowly chiffon dress with chevroned lace down the skirt gives relaxed bohemian vibes. Chiffon helps to soften your form and makes this dress appear very ethereal. The billowing sleeves and the head-turning tassel detail on the back make set this dress apart. It would be stunning in any wedding venue, from a chapel to a garden.
10. Beaded Chiffon Wedding Dress
by Watters
This silhouette is a classic — custom beading on an illusion neckline and a gently draped chiffon skirt. Soft and flowing the skirt has great movement. The beading on the bodice is reminiscent of art deco in the 1920s and showstopping in its simplicity.
11. Chiffon Trumpet Wedding Dress
by Azazie
This budget-friendly dress is big on details. Hand sewn beading, lace motifs, and sequins adorn the intricate bodice. Delicate spaghetti straps and a vneck neckline maintain the feminine feel. The trumpet silhouette of the chiffon skirt provides that ideal hourglass shape and then gently flares out so you can comfortably dance the night away.
12. Chiffon Plus Size Lace-Illusion Back Wedding Dress
We love a charming illusion back, and this dress’s lace panel complete with buttons has us swooning. The front consists of lacey florals around a deep-V neckline and capped sleeves. Scalloped eyelet lace trim and a full-flowing chiffon skirt are so feminine. This dress is effortlessly stunning and would look perfect in an outdoor wedding locale.
13. Short Minimalist Chiffon Wedding Dress
by Etsy: BridalgardenStudio
On the hunt for a second dress for your rehearsal or reception? Maybe you need something simple and sweet for a civil ceremony?
This short minimalist dress checks all the boxes. A boatneck top with long crepe sleeves is very demure. The short skirt with pleats lays beautifully and rests just above the knees. It is classic romance!
14. Minimalist Silk Chiffon Wedding Dress
by Etsy: emsilkdesign
The art-deco details of this vintage-style gown are dazzling. Cape sleeves drape elegantly and the equally gauzy skirt narrows gracefully at your natural waist. This could have been Daisy’s gown had she married Jay Gatsby.
15. Chiffon Wedding Dress with Cape
Nothing makes a statement like a cape. Clean lines and airy chiffon help make this dress light and diaphanous. The goddess vibes are enhanced by the floor-length cape that attaches to the delicate off-the-shoulder lace top. It moves like a dream whether you are gliding down the aisle or twirling in your partner’s embrace.
Dream a Little Dream … of Chiffon
Dreamy is the word of the day thanks to these ethereal, romantic chiffon wedding dresses.
Chiffon can be added to nearly any style or shape of dress. It enhances the silhouette without adding weight, and its characteristics suit bridal gowns so well!
Whether you are wearing an Aphrodite-esque empire gown, a whimsical boho dress, or a form-fitting trumpet, chiffon adds a soft, ethereal form – making you the picture of grace on your wedding day.
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Megan Moore
Megan’s wedding experience began over a decade ago when planning her dream ceremony. Since then, three kids have been added to the mix. Megan wholeheartedly embraces all things baby, childhood, and family. When she isn’t writing or chasing little ones you can find her running, hiking, or reading.
