Trends on Campus Hereupon, don some chiffon

By Brittney Xu     11/1/11 7:00pm

If you've ever pulled out your holiday dress and wondered what the sheer, soft fabric on top is made of, chances are it's chiffon. This lightweight material can be found as fancy overlays on formal gowns, but it can be found in blouses, scarves, and lingerie. Jones College senior Lillian Meyer wore a magenta chiffon dress to the Jones Associates Night, demonstrating how elegant the fabric can look. She cinched the dress in the middle, accentuating her waist. All she needed is a pair of metallic flats or contrasting jewelry to dress up this simple look.

The name chiffon comes from the French word for "rag," but it looks nothing like its name. Traditionally made of silk, chiffon is slightly sheer and used to give an elegant and floating look to garments. Because of its delicate nature, chiffon has to be hand-washed to maintain its stretch and luster. Its use was popularized by the silent film actress Lillian Gish, who often posed for pictures in gowns made of chiffon and lace.

However, with the advent of fast fashion, chiffon can now be made of polyester, making the fabric hardier and easier to take care of. Retailers like Forever 21 and H&M often use inexpensive polyester chiffon in place of pricier fabrics like silks and cotton. Despite the money saved by consumers who choose this type of chiffon, garments made of this material can wrinkle easily and require special care.

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With fall weather upon us, chiffon dresses and skirts can be layered under sweaters for warmth, with tights on underneath. The lightweight fabric also can be contrasted with heavier pieces, like a leather jacket over a sheer maxi dress. Chiffon scarves can be an easy, breezy way to add some life to an autumn outfit; choose one in a bright color that will pop against the darker jacket colors of winter.

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