Chiffon: 5 Essential Things to Know About This Fabric

By Anushka Batra

Chiffon is a lightweight, plain-woven fabric with a mesh-like weave that has always been associated with elegance and luxury. It’s a popular decorative fabric that has featured in the fashion industry for centuries thanks to its shimmery, sheer appearance, and it’s primarily made from cotton, silk and synthetic fibres. Small puckers are created in chiffon using S-twist and Z-twist crepe yarn, which makes the fabric a little rough to the touch — yet it’s still smoother and more lustrous than similar materials like georgette.

Origin of chiffon

The term chiffon comes from the French word ‘chiffe’, meaning cloth or rag. Early chiffons were made purely of silk, which made them expensive and inaccessible, and their use signified high status. In 1938 nylon chiffon was invented, and in 1958 polyester chiffon followed. With these synthetic versions, chiffon became more accessible and affordable — it was their resilience and low cost that made them immensely popular.

Types of chiffon fabric

A beautiful fabric like chiffon varies in both style and material, and can be classified into five types:

• Silk crepe chiffon: a slightly puckered, rough texture that makes it a favourite among fashionistas.
• Silk-satin chiffon: smoother than silk crepe, and more transparent and lightweight.
• Pearl chiffon: stands out with a pearlescent shade and glossy texture.
• Jacquard chiffon: quite thin, and commonly used for kurtas and scarves.
• Chameleon chiffon: the rarest of the rare, named for its multi-toned appearance.

Variety and uses of chiffon

Chiffon is essential for layering attire. It’s often used as a base fabric for embroidery and appliqué, and adds much-needed volume to a garment. It’s common in evening wear, especially as an overlay for an elegant appearance, while its flowy, lightweight and transparent properties make it perfect for summer blouses, shirts and nightwear. Because it holds dye well and drapes smoothly, chiffon is also used in ethnic wear like kurtas, salwar-kameez, sarees and dupattas.

Pros and cons of chiffon

From yesteryear divas like Hema Malini to present-day beauties like Deepika Padukone, celebrities have embraced chiffon as an integral part of Bollywood. Here are the trade-offs to help you make an informed decision.

• Pros: a beautiful drape that suits sarees and gowns; it holds its structure and gives the fabric excellent character; silk chiffon absorbs dye well and displays colour beautifully.
• Cons: its slippery texture makes it a little challenging to work with; it can sag and fray slightly despite the stabilising twists, and may lose shape over time — though nylon and polyester chiffon hold their shape well.

How to care for chiffon

Caring for chiffon depends on the fibre it’s made from, but all chiffon outfits should preferably be hand-washed or slow machine-washed with extra care so the fabric doesn’t fray. Avoid washing other clothes with chiffon, as it bleeds colour during the first few washes, and keep the wash cycle short so it doesn’t lose colour. Silk chiffon needs dry cleaning, whereas nylon and polyester chiffon can be washed with a mild, gentle detergent. To keep the dye from fading, use cold water and soak for about 30 minutes. Don’t wring the garment or use clips to dry it, as chiffon can lose its shape.

Gossamer and gauze-like, chiffon almost resembles tissue paper and is an excellent choice if you want to look slimmer and stylish. It sits like a second skin and has the potential to turn heads with its floating, shimmery nature. Explore YourLibaas to find a wide range of chiffon ethnic outfits waiting for you.