Looking for your wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of getting married. These days, couples opt for more eco-friendly weddings. Even members of the royal family like Meghan Markle and Princess Beatrice choose eco-friendly wedding and reception dresses.
As you most likely will wear your wedding dress only once, it makes sense to reduce the cost as well as your carbon footprint by getting a stunning recycled polyester wedding dress. Here we’ll explain what recycled polyester is, and what to consider when choosing a dress you’ll be proud to walk down the aisle in.
What Is Recycled Polyester?
Recycled polyester, also referred to as rPET, is created by melting down and re-spinning discarded plastic bottles and containers. The production process requires far fewer resources than making standard polyester, and generates less Co2 emissions. Hence, this is a great way to reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfills.
Recycled Polyester Wedding Dress Fabrics
Here are some examples of the 100% recycled polyester fabrics used to make wedding dresses:
Chiffon
Chiffon has a slightly textured or rough feel that is perfect for bridal wear, formal wear, blouses, and casual dresses.
Crinkle Chiffon
This version of Chiffon is lightweight at just 50 grams per square metre. An ideal weight for bridal wear, casual wear, high-end gowns, and dresses.
Flat Chiffon
Another lightweight variation, Chiffon is 74 grams per square metre. Sheer, with a smooth feel, it’s ideal for bridal wear, dresses, and high-end gowns.
Mess Chiffon
This type is softer than Georgette, plain and breathable. In a weave style, it’s great for bridal wear, light blouses, skirts, dresses, and tops, etc.
Satin Chiffon
This type of Chiffon is especially soft and feels high-quality. It’s similar to Silk Chiffon and ideal for bridal gowns, dresses, flowy pants, high-end long dresses, etc.
Polyester Imitate Twist
This alternative to Chiffon is 93 grams per square metre with GRS and OEKO-TEX certification. It has a Sandwash Chiffon pattern and stretchiness, with a matte-finish and shines under light. Perfect for dresses that need to stretch, including fitted bridal wear and casual dresses.
Polyester Sand Wash
This Chiffon variation has a slightly textured/rough feel. At 116 grams per square metre, it’s a wonderful fabric for bridal wear, casual dresses, formal wear, and blouses.
Recycled Polyester Wedding Dress Styles
If you’re unsure of what type of style to go for, try and brainstorm some ideas. For example, romantic, sexy, classic, or vintage. Remember, recycled polyester wedding dresses are just as pretty as traditional dresses, and there are plenty of beautiful styles and cuts available.
For example, a corset bodice maxi dress style made with recycled polyester Satin is an ideal option. This luxurious and sexy dress is suitable for an elegant and feminine look. This particular style is available in seven different colours from snow white to ice blue. Remember, your wedding dress only needs to be white if that’s important to you. Otherwise, why not break tradition choose a colour that reflects your personality?
What to Do With Your Dress After the Wedding
One thing that makes a wedding dress a little less eco-friendly is that it will usually only be worn once. Therefore, in sticking to your eco-conscious theme, why not give your dress a new lease of life by either selling or donating it to someone.
Alternatively, you could use the fabric to create an entirely different item like a baby’s christening gown, a cute keepsake, or a soft toy.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Dresses
Not everyone wants a traditional white wedding dress these days. They are not only expensive, but the fabrics used to make them are not great for the environment. However, recycled polyester creates fabric from used plastic bottles and containers, for recycled polyester wedding dresses. The process involved in creating this type of fabric is not energy or water intensive and helps to reduce C02 emissions.
Just like traditional wedding dresses, there are plenty of styles and cuts available. They tend to come in lighter fabrics like Satin and Chiffon, but are available in different colours to fit your colour theme and individuality.
You can find an eco-friendly wedding dress brand that you’ll be proud to say “I Do” in without breaking the bank, while also doing your bit for the environment.
