Crepe Vs Chiffon Sarees : Know The Key Contrasts & Which One Will Suit You The Most

Wear a lightweight saree and you’ll immediately start feeling like the ‘main character’. Wonder why? Sarees made with airy and soft woven fabrics highlight your curves without adding bulk and are buttery soft. The romantic feel of flowy sarees will leave you wanting to frolic through mountains and (more realistically) give you an elegant and ethereal appearance.

Crepe and chiffon are among the top choices to achieve such graceful saree looks as the fabrics drape your body perfectly and flow with your movements. The woven fabrics are breathable, ideal for outdoor events, and versatile. Sarees made of both fabrics are also easier to drape because of their light weight. However, just as crepe and chiffon have similarities, the two have distinctive characteristics that make them unique. Keep reading as we break down the key differences, so you can make an informed decision on which one suits you best.

Chiffon

Literally meaning ‘rag’ or ‘cloth’ in French, the smooth chiffon fabric is associated with luxury. It is ultra-lightweight, which gives garments made out of the material a flowy look. The yarn is woven using hard twists, giving chiffon its signature sheen, sheer look, and stretch.

While pure silk chiffon is the most sought after type, it is also commonly woven from different yarn such as cotton, rayon, polyester, and viscose. The twists and tight weave of cotton and polyester chiffon are also highly strong. The fabric is available in a range of blends and designs such as the traditional jacquard, where designs are added to the fabric during the process of weaving. Other blends include silk-satin, multi-toned ‘chameleon’ chiffon, pearlescent finish, and metallic threads known as lurex.

Crepe

Crepe has a signature crinkled texture, which gives the fabric a three dimensional look and sets it apart. The unique texture of crepe fabrics adds depth and an interesting visual appeal to sarees. The fabric is heavier than chiffon and allows for more structure. The weight allows beginners to drape (more on that later). Crepe is also translucent as opposed to the sheer chiffon. The translucency allows for modest dressing while still giving a sensuous feel. 

Different yarns such as silk, wool, or synthetic materials, can be used to weave crepe. The yarn dictates the thickness and durability of the crepe fabric. It is available in variations such as crepe de Chine (literally translated as ‘crepe from China’), knit jersey crepe, double-knit scuba crepe, thick viscose crepe, and fine French crepe.

Chiffon Vs Crepe: How To Pick the Right One

While crepe and chiffon are gorgeous fabrics on their own, variations of blended yarn also create stunning lightweight sarees. Examples include Crepe-chiffon, Georgette-chiffon and Georgette-crepe. The blended fabrics lend their characteristics to sarees, which defines the texture, feel, drape, and shape of the fabric. Here are some tips on how to pick the right on for you:

1. Weight: The weight of your saree depends on the yarn used to create the fabric. While they may not be  literally heavy, the fabric dictates how much movement the saree has. Silk and satin glide beautifully with each movement, while cotton and viscose will move minimally.
2. Draping: While both fabrics are easy to drape, crepe would be better for beginners as it has structure and pleating the fabric is simpler. The pleats made with crepe fabric are also crisp, whereas Chiffon tends to be slippery and creating the pleats could be difficult for some. The pleats are also not well-defined due to the fluid nature of the fabric.
3. Weather: Chiffon is ideal for outdoor summer events because of its mesh-like qualities. Crepe is ideal for both, as it is light enough for day events but offers coverage for evening time. It is important to note that both fabrics will need to be layered if you want to wear them for evening events or during winter.
4. Occasion: If you want to buy sarees online for daily wear, opt for floral print fabrics and go for minimal border work. Mysore crepe silk or chiffon silk saree with zari border are perfect for festive wear. You can also opt for traditional sarees such as Kanjeevaram, Bandhani, and Pulkari weaved with crepe and chiffon.
5. Blouse Choice: The saree you pick also completely depends on your blouse preference. If you love intricate blouses with embellishments and latkan details, it would be ideal to go for a solid saree to avoid overwhelming the look.
6. Styling: The texture and matte finish of crepe gives it a contemporary look, making it preferable for fusion looks. Chiffon is great for traditional sarees because of its shine. As mentioned above, both fabrics don’t provide insulation. If you are considering crepe or chiffon sarees for the winter, wear thermal bottoms and opt for blouses with full coverage or drape it over a sweater.
7. Body Type: Chiffon is better for heavier body types as it hugs the curves and does not add bulk. However, embellishments play a big role in how the final draped saree looks. Big saree borders will add dimension, so consider your proportions and add or remove chunky embellishments to create balance.
8. Wash and Care: You must be prepared to follow due process to wash and care for your sarees. For delicate materials, dry cleaning is a must to avoid losing the sheen of the fabric. Some sarees may also strictly require hand washing. Since everyone doesn’t want to invest time in following detailed washing instructions, picking low-effort fabrics will take away that hassle.
9. Repurposing: If you are planning to use the fabrics for blouses or to stitch other garments, crepe will be the better choice. If you want to repurpose the saree later, opting for crepe will give you options of creating beautiful dresses or gowns. As chiffon is smooth, it’s sometimes difficult to stitch.
10. Storage: You should look at your storage arrangements and ensure that the sarees can be kept in separate covers. For expensive garments, ensure especially that stray hooks or embellishment on other clothes don’t snag the fabrics will keep your saree in great shape in the long term.