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Chiffon has moved from nighttime formal to all-day versatile. Chiffon dresses and blouses look stylish at meetings, luncheons and occasions that require you to look girly-girl. About to meet your future mother-in-law for the first time and want to look demure? Reach for the chiffon. Once the sun sets, luminescent chiffon rules. This glimmering version literally changes colors as it moves. It can be a traffic stopper under club lights, but show up at the office dressed in luminescent chiffon only if you’ve already lined up another gig.
Silk Chiffon Basics
Silk chiffon, whether plain or luminescent, is the “original” version of this luxurious cloth. It drapes so beautifully, designers use it lavishly to produce women's formal wear, cocktail dresses and bridal gowns. Silk threads become chiffon fabric as a result of the manufacturing process; fibers assume triangular, prism-like shapes when spun. Even without the luminosity factor, silk chiffon reflects light, so you wouldn’t be lying if you said that either type starts out as a reflective fabric.
Working With Chiffon
If you’re a fan of the long-running TV reality show "Project Runway," you know that fledgling designers worry about working with chiffon because it is tricky to cut and even trickier to sew. Working with plain or luminescent chiffon requires time and patience, and savvy seamstresses who know the tricks of the trade pin tissue paper to the cloth before they start cutting. The paper stays attached while the delicate fabric is sewn, using a thin sewing machine needle and silk thread, and pulled off after the seams are complete.
Non-Luminescent Chiffon
Non-luminescent chiffon in many colors is used for blouses, dresses, scarves and dressy garments. The texture is soft and smooth, with a subtle glow that catches the light. Regular chiffon is reflective, but doesn’t change color like luminescent chiffon. Plain chiffon, made of polyester, is a staple in the bridal gown industry because it’s easy to care for and less expensive to produce than silk versions. For haute couture, however, silk chiffon is the name of the game.
Luminescent Chiffon
Luminescent chiffon -- also described as iridescent or pearlescent -- is decadent, rich and literally changes color when subjected to light. The fabric's moiré patterns are responsible for producing its multitonal shimmer. Place matte or flat fabric underneath luminescent chiffon to tone down and mute color changes so they're not as extreme. Given its light-reflecting properties, luminescent chiffon is favored by designers, decorators and party planners for adding color and drama to party tables, walls, ceilings and tents.
