The most versatile fabric with a soft sheen, light-weight and crinkled texture is obtained from the silk primarily. Crepe is long known for its extremely soft, suave and sensuous appeal with a wrinkled appearance due to the unique weaving and knitting process by twisting the thin filaments of silk or any fabric. Cotton, rayon, chiffon are mostly used these days to create crepe which is why it is difficult to decode the base fabric of crepe silhouette.
What is Crepe Fabric
Chinese crepe fabric is the original textile which has a softer texture and endows a flowing graceful fall. This makes it perfect attire for parties and special occasions. This further makes crepe an ideal choice for working women to include them in their daily office wear. Since it calls for no ironing and have a soft comfortable breezy texture to it, crepe sarees, salwar suits and tunics shall be your go-to summer staples.
History of Crepe Fabric
The recent British technique of making crepes has resulted in tough and hard fabric. The highly absorbent and heat resistant fabric allows crepe to be used throughout the year effortlessly. Winter wool crepe is another favored silhouette which is yet another attraction for women who love to adorn themselves in the gorgeous drape while also staying warm. The strands of wool mixed with crepe is an epitome of elegance and grace which is quite a popular fabric amongst women for winters. Due to its light-weight and easy fall, you can easily style this cloth effortlessly.
What is Crepe Fabric Made of
Silk crepe silhouettes are much in vogue this season as they are made of fine threads of silk exuding distinctive sheen and lustrous shine. French crepe silk is another form of fabric which is lighter and has subtle crinkles alongwith a slightly flatter appearance. They are also used to make ethnic ensembles like traditional Indian sarees and lehenga cholis for weddings and festivities. Furthermore, satin is also used alternatively for crafting traditional Indian bridal wear.
How Crepe Fabric is Made
Crepe is undoubtedly the most absorbent fabric with breathable hues and versatile enough to be dyed and printed with different patterns and motifs. It can also be easily embellished and embroidered. The fabric, however, is considered more “modern” due to its western confluence which makes it extremely versatile, light weight, easily draped and the origin of the fabric from the western countries. The popularity of crepe silhouettes rose during the earlier times when the royalty embraced crepe fabrics as a part and parcel of their daily wear. Queens and palaces adorned the graceful and eloquent crepe drapes to symbolize their class. The traditional adaptation of crepes has resulted in high demand of Indian women for crepe based clothing.
Many artisans and designers have beautifully embraced the fabric for the use of traditional attires. They have involved the clothing to run into their traditional businesses and they often produce fine regional crepe silk fabrics to lure in customers from different parts of the country. It is so common for the young and modern designers to use crepe as a part of their collection because of its pebbly and wrinkle texture that gives a fine rich appeal to the garment alongwith its highly absorbent property that makes it durable for all summer-long. Indian wedding dresses, sarees, salwar kameez, lehenga choli,maxi skirts, crop tops etc. are all made from the crepe fabric to give ladies a contemporary touch while adding oodles of elegance effortlessly.
Different Types of Crepe Fabric
The tight weaving and twisting of the weave prior dying are the reasons for its characteristic wrinkle appearance. The twisting of fibres is achieved either by creating irregular patterns through weaving process or by creating permanent patterns with rollers engraved on crepe design to give a flawless finish. Crepe fibres with the good mix of polyester are quite a rage in the fashion industry, however, different types of crepe like morocco crepe, crepe de chine, plisse crepe, wool crepe and crepe georgette.
Working and professional women drape crepes on a regular basis which gives them a polish and comfortable feel. Due to its low-maintenance property, crepe silk ensembles are an everyday staple for women on the go who love to multitask and dabble all day long.
Crepe de chine is one such type of crepe which is made using luxurious premium type of crepe silk. It is light weight and made using highest twisted yarns in weft and silk yarns in the warp. The flipside of the crepe can be severely damaged due to excessive sunlight or sweat. Following the next popular form of crepe which is crepe georgette and made using the matter fiber silk or fabric similar to silk that is stretchable and flexible. This fabric is called as chiffon. This is mostly used to produce a plethora of traditional and western women’s clothing like skirts, dresses, designer blouses, gowns etc. The wiry crepe fabric which is a blend of cotton and silk threads is known as wool crepe. This is often used by famous designer houses to produce an array of ensembles for women.
Asian countries including Thailand, China, Korea and India are the main exporters of crepe de chine. The luxury designers from the western countries use premium quality crepe fabrics to produce rich crepe wedding dresses, party wear gowns for women. The lingerie makers also use crepe silk fabric for uber sensuous look and feel of lingerie.
Traditionally, this royal fabric was primarily used for mourning events. The etymology of the term “crepe” is associated with mourning purpose. However, with time, women started associating the fabric with highbrow society and elite women.
Styling a crepe silk saree or salwar kameez with pearls, terracotta jewelery or even silver oxidized jewelery is quite a popular way of promoting and styling this ethnic ensemble. Women who prefer to wear it to work on a daily basis can accessorize with indian fashion jewelery like silver oxidized, terracotta or pearl drops to create a statement. For parties and special occasions, accessorizing it minimal is the key to flaunt the gorgeous fall and rich drape of this opulent attire. Ladies can notch up the glamour with semi-precious stones to highlight the contemporary silhouette in panache. Diamonds and gold will take away all the attention and therefore, not suitable for crepe clothing. Opt for exotic stones to steal the spotlight.
Image Courtesy: 3. Fashionkafatka, 4. BHLDN
Article By : Pure Elegance
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