The main distinction between georgette and chiffon fabric is that chiffon has a smoother and silkier texture compared to georgette, which has a slightly grainy texture. Both fabrics are popular among women due to their comfort and ease of draping. Although they are often confused with one another because of their lightweight and translucent nature, they have only minor differences.
Key Takeaways
- Georgette is a fabric traditionally made from pure silk, featuring a sheer, lightweight, and matte finish with a grainy texture.
- Chiffon is a soft, comfortable, plain-woven, and lightweight fabric with a smoother and silkier texture and a glossy appearance.
- The main difference between the two fabrics is their texture, with georgette being grainier and chiffon being silkier.
What is Georgette?
Georgette is a fabric traditionally made from pure silk but can also be made using materials such as rayon, polyester, or viscose. It was introduced by French dressmaker Georgette de la Plante in the early 20th century. This material is sheer, lightweight, and has a matte, dull finish. It is used in making sarees, dresses, and home décor. Silk georgette is almost like silk chiffon, while crêpe georgette is made using tightly twisted yarns. Generally, this material is available in solid colors.
Georgette material is lightweight and breathable, but georgette made with synthetic fibers is less breathable than silk georgette. This fabric is also translucent and very flowy, so it can be nicely draped. At the same time, this material holds dye well.
There are various types of georgette materials, including double georgette, stretch georgette, satin georgette, polyester georgette, and Jacquard georgette. When washing clothes made with this material, use cold water and mild detergent, and avoid wringing, stretching, or pulling the garment.
What is Chiffon?
Chiffon is a soft, comfortable, plain-woven, and lightweight fabric commonly used for sarees, dupattas, dresses, salwar suits, scarves, evening gowns, lingerie, skirts, blouses, curtains, and cushion covers. It does not cling to your body, allowing for a nice drape. This material keeps you cool and is suitable for daytime wear. However, the threads of this material may snag and fray easily, and it is difficult to work with, especially when sewing.
Chiffon is gauze-like, sheer, shimmery, and floating, with China being the largest producer. Clothes made from silk chiffon must be dry cleaned, while those made from nylon chiffon and polyester chiffon can be hand-washed or machine-washed gently using a mild detergent. When soaking this fabric, do not exceed 30 minutes in cold water, as the dye will fade away. Avoid twisting or squeezing the fabric, as it will easily lose shape, and do not dry it under direct sunlight, as the color may fade away.
In the past, chiffon was made in France from silk, making it expensive and a symbol of high status. Nylon chiffon was invented in 1938, and polyester chiffon was invented in 1958. Polyester chiffon is low-cost, durable, and stain-resistant. Because this material is delicate, textiles are usually woven by hand, and garments made from this material are typically reserved for special occasions rather than daily wear.
What is the Difference Between Georgette and Chiffon?
The key difference between georgette and chiffon is that chiffon has a smoother and silkier texture than georgette, which has a somewhat grainy texture. While georgette has a matte and dull look, chiffon has a glossy, thin net-like appearance. In addition, georgette is heavier and thicker than chiffon.
Summary – Georgette vs Chiffon
Georgette is a fabric made from pure silk, with a rough and grainy texture, and a matte and dull look. It is also strong, semi-transparent, and durable. Chiffon, on the other hand, is a soft, comfortable, plain-woven, and lightweight fabric with a smoother and silkier texture and a glossy look. It is also thin, light, and less durable. This is the summary of the difference between georgette and chiffon.
