Tulle fabric

Also called: Illusion (fine tulle), Net

Weight: Light
Drape: Soft
Stretch: Slight
Sheen: Matte
Breathability: High
Creasing: Low
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Care: Steam to revive volume; dry clean.
Typical use: Ball gown skirts, veils, illusion panels and petticoats

Highlights and balances

Highlights

Builds airy volume in layers
Gives a soft, romantic look

Balances

Adds volume below the waist

Wear it when

Events it suits

Pairs with

Silhouettes: Ball gown, A-line
Necklines: Illusion neckline
Sleeves: Illusion sleeve
Lengths: Tea length, Floor length
Trains: Cathedral train

Avoid if

You want a sleek silhouette
Rough surfaces or jewelry will catch the net

The base of most ball gown skirts and of illusion necklines and sleeves.

Tulle is a sheer netting so light that dressmakers stack many layers of it to make a skirt stand away from the body. You meet tulle fabric most in bridal and formal wear: veils, petticoats, full skirts and the see-through panels at a neckline or sleeve. That makes it one of the first wedding dress fabrics worth learning.

How to spot tulle

Hold the skirt up to the light. Tulle shows a fine grid of tiny openings, like delicate netting, and it has a matte surface with no shine. A single layer is almost invisible. The fullness you see on the hanger comes from many layers stacked together, so lift the top layer and you will usually find several more underneath. Listings may call the finest version “illusion” or simply “net.”

Two sheer fabrics get mixed up with it:

Organza is a woven sheer with no net holes. It feels crisp, carries a soft sheen and holds sculpted ruffles and puff sleeves.
Chiffon is a woven sheer with a slightly rough feel. It flows and moves with the body instead of standing out.

Wearing tulle well

Tulle builds volume below the waist, so it belongs on shapes that want fullness there. A ball gown skirt depends on it, and an A-line gains a soft, airy flare from a few layers. Above the waist it works as fine coverage: an illusion neckline or sleeve reads as bare skin while still covering you. For length, start with floor length for evening and tea length for a playful, fuller skirt.

For a black tie wedding, try a floor-length gown in deep navy with a fitted bodice and a layered tulle skirt. Add a smooth clutch and simple earrings. Skip bracelets with prongs or rough edges, which catch the net. As a guest, steer clear of white or ivory tulle, because it reads as bridal.

Tulle breathes well and weighs little, so it works in any season. In winter, bring a wrap. It creases very little, and steam revives the volume after packing. Have it dry cleaned.

FAQ

Is tulle formal?

Yes. Layered tulle suits white tie, black tie and formal attire, and a shorter tulle skirt suits cocktail attire. The more layers and the longer the hem, the more formal the dress reads.

Is tulle a good choice for a sleek look?

Not usually, because layered tulle adds fullness rather than a close line. For a sleek dress, use tulle only as an illusion panel at the neckline or sleeves and pick a smoother fabric for the skirt. The fabrics glossary lists the alternatives.

Will tulle snag?

It can. The open net catches on rough surfaces, chunky rings and beaded bags. Choose smooth accessories and walk carefully past rough benches or stone walls.