Ladies! Beautiful days await you. I know this because if you’re here, you’re in one of the following three stages. You are either thinking of buying new materials for dresses and clothes to add more colour and life to your wardrobe. Or you have made that decision and you need an insight on the kinds of fabrics (what we call “material” in Nigeria and some other African countries) to buy. Or maybe you have the main material, but you need something to support it and give it more elegance.
Either way, beautiful days certainly await you.
Table of Contents
Wearing Dresses for Different Occasions
In case you didn’t know, dresses (gowns) are not as common in the workplace as you think they are. A lot of professional women still tilt towards wearing pants trousers and short skirts, sometimes because they’re not sure what fabric is suitable enough. This article lists the top 7 materials to make dresses that you can wear for different functions, including formal gatherings like the workplace.
Keep in mind that in our continuously evolving world, there are a thousand different materials to make dresses, all of which are only in existence because of the varying taste of the end-users – including you. Therefore, this list of materials to make dresses was compiled based on common choices of the majority and the wonderful things they have to say about it.
7 Materials to Make Dresses for Every Nigerian Lady
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Chiffon
Chiffon fabric is soft to the eyes and skin, transparent, light, and a bit stretchy. It is made from either silk, viscose or synthetic fibres. It is durable, comfortable and has a high breathing capacity. No matter how fitted you want the outcome of this material to be, you’ll still be able to breathe comfortably. This material is ideal for both formal and informal appearances as it falls beautifully on the body and easily pronounces your femininity.
Many designers would agree that this fabric is a tough one to cut and style because of how prone it is to shift. But it remains irresistible because of its overall appeal in the final product. The best way to care for this material and ensure it serves you for as long as possible is to wash with it your hands. It’s a very soft fabric, so subjecting it to the strength of a washing machine will do more harm than good.
Chiffon is easily top of the most underestimated yet long-lasting materials for dresses for corporate and casual occasions.
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Velvet
This is a wonderful choice of fabric that is very dress-worthy. It is made from silk, cotton or synthetic fibres. It is shiny, rich in colour, soft and durable. A combination of these properties results in a magnificent, elegant and shimmering fabric that gives any lucky woman a completely sexy and feminine look.
For comparison and to paint a clearer picture, velvet materials feel very similar to suede. In fact, one is often mistaken for the other. The difference is the softness of each material. Using velvet materials for dresses means you won’t feel like you’re in an oven even during hot weather because it allows air to pass through easily. Just like chiffon fabric, you can wear velvet dresses to formal and informal gatherings.
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Crepe
This is a fine fabric with tightly woven and twisted yarns. It is grainy, lightweight, flexible, expandable, absorbent, breathable and soft to touch. It has a graceful drape, a slightly wrinkled appearance and a fluidity that makes it balance on the body.
Crepe materials do not require pressing and are also acceptable on formal and informal occasions. You can style crepe materials into suits, skirts and wedding gowns. It is an elegant choice of material to make any dress you’re imagining.
For the record, running an online business doesn’t stop you from upgrading your wardrobe. Wait, you don’t know what online business to run? Join our WhatsApp community to learn in multiple folds.
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Satin
This fabric is made from cotton and characterised by its elegant exterior shine, good consistency, smooth and shiny touch, heavyweight, great support, thickness, fluidity and flexibility. This chick and opulent fabric bring drama to its final product as light reflects off it when you wear it in the sun. It is an easily recognizable fabric that is generally ideal for evening gowns but also suitable for formal appearances.
It is a suitable material for all body types, ideal for different kinds of styles including pleats and drapes, and is generally a better choice for cool weather conditions. You can also use satin material to add finishing touches to the main dress material.
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Organza
This material resembles chiffon in terms of appearance, lightness and transparency, but it is stronger in texture. Fashion designers primarily use organza for overlays, dress sleeves and skirts. This material is made with heavily twisted yarns of silk fibres or synthetic fibres. Organza has a dreamy and delicate feel as well as a refined texture, a slight shine, dryness and rigidity.
Organza gives dresses a princess look and feel. It is suitable for all body figures. It is also versatile and blends well with other kinds of fabrics to create a unique piece. Caring for organza includes washing with hand or at a mild speed if using a machine. Then, air dry and press with a warm iron that won’t cause creases or lick up the fabric in an unpleasant way.
Read also: Lose weight and have a flat tummy as a Nigerian woman
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Taffeta
This is a high-quality material that is made from silk and synthetic fibres. It is flexible, stiff (feels like paper when rubbed) and produces a subtle whisper (rustle) when you wear it. You can use taffeta as a lining, for skirts, blouses and gowns, and as the main material. This shiny material with its other characteristics makes it great for making structured silhouettes and feeling comfortable on the body.
Like organza, taffeta is durable and versatile. You can combine it with other kinds of materials as a part of finishing or an intricate part of the chosen style. It is unique and one of the materials for dresses available in abundance in Nigerian markets.
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Lace
Lace is one of the few materials that adds grace to any kind of dress, skirt or blouse. It is so graceful that it is the bedrock for creating stand-alone accessories. Lace material is made from silk, cotton, linen threads, or a combination of them, and braided in a mesh-like framework.
It comes with a surprising variety of styles that shows the creativity put into making it a whole material. Lace material was originally used by aristocrats as a show of power and status. But now, it is a must-have for every modern Nigerian and African woman.
This material has a magical power that commands attention and graces the body with an irresistible sexy, bossy and appealing look. If you’re looking to make a statement with your fashion sense, explore lace materials for dresses and see how it makes you feel.
Read also: Building self-confidence as a Nigerian woman
Choosing the Best Materials for Your Dresses
There is an untapped knowledge in the world of fashion, and as the work expands, so will the knowledge. The above materials to make dresses have been worn, tested and recommended by many women from various walks of life. Whatever dress your creative brain is imagining, there’s a big chance that you can bring it to life with these materials singularly, or in a combined fashion.
Remember, whatever the intended purpose of the dress you’re about to make, it has to be comfortable for you. Don’t buy a material just because that’s what a friend bought or that’s the trend in your office. Be certain that it is suitable for your skin and your ability to function optimally in it.
Pair those artistically crafted dresses with the perfect shoes and maybe a belt and blazer, for a touch of professionalism. Wear your hair in a way that complements the dress and shoes. Put in extra effort to be sure that you’re not just wearing one of the best 7 materials for dresses, but you’re also rocking the style like a queen and a boss would.
Read also: 13 fashion accessories every Nigerian lady should have
If you’re confused about the choice of materials to use, visit any fabric store and ask them to show you these materials. Nobody says no to a potential buyer.
What do you think of this collection of materials for dresses for the corporate Nigerian woman? Drop a comment below. Join Insight’s WhatsApp community to get updates on similar content.
About Author
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An experienced freelance SEO content writer and editor. She helps individuals and businesses communicate effectively with their audience and also improve their organic reach with relevant content.
She's an author of several short stories and a devoted lover of the paranormal and fantasy world. Asides business and lifestyle, she also writes about life science and technology.
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