Jacquard Dresses: 12 Erdem Picks and How to Wear Them

A jacquard dress is a dress whose pattern is woven into the cloth on the loom, so the motif lives inside the fabric instead of being printed on top. At Erdem, that means the Cloque Jacquard Midi Dress and the Knit Jacquard Midi Dress, both among our designer midi dresses.

Jacquard is a technique, not a single fabric, which is why one name covers rippled cloque, quilted matelasse, fringed yarn loops and patterned knits. If the puckered surface is what drew you in, our explainer on what cloque fabric is goes deeper into that one weave.

• A jacquard pattern is woven (and in knitwear, knitted) into the fabric, so it cannot wash off, and it reads the same up close as it does across a room.
• The name comes from Joseph Marie Jacquard, whose early nineteenth century loom used punched cards to lift individual warp threads and build complex patterns.
• Jacquard fabrics tend to have more body than plain weaves, so a jacquard dress holds a silhouette such as fit and flare, pencil and draped with less help from the lining.
• Brocade, damask, cloque and matelasse are all jacquard-woven fabrics; they differ in how the pattern is raised and how the reverse looks.
• Holiday 2027 is Erdem’s party-season drop, built on velvet, satin cady, cloque jacquard and sequinned georgette.
• Erdem ready-to-wear follows UK sizing, and Coveti lists Erdem from UK 4 to 18.

What makes a dress a jacquard dress?

A dress counts as jacquard when its pattern is created by the weave itself, with threads lifted in a programmed sequence so the design appears as the cloth is made.

On a plain loom every warp thread rises and falls in the same simple rhythm. A jacquard mechanism controls threads one at a time, which lets a mill weave florals, scrolls and abstract textures directly into the fabric. Run your hand over a jacquard and you can usually feel the motif, because the pattern areas sit slightly higher than the ground.

Turn the hem over and you will often see the pattern in reverse, sometimes with loose floats of yarn where a colour travels behind the design. That is one of the quickest ways to tell a woven pattern from a print.

Knit jacquard works on the same principle. Instead of a loom, a knitting machine switches between yarns stitch by stitch, so the motif is knitted in. The result is softer and stretchier than a woven jacquard, which is why Erdem uses it for long-sleeved, close-fitting day dresses.

Jacquard vs brocade vs cloque: what is the difference?

Jacquard is the weaving method; brocade, damask, cloque and matelasse are specific fabrics made with it, each with its own surface and reverse.

The practical takeaway: brocade and cloque give you the most drama and structure, damask the most polish, and knit jacquard the most comfort. Erdem leans on cloque, matelasse and knit jacquard, often patchworked together with textured satin.

Which Erdem jacquard dresses are available now?

The current Erdem jacquard edit splits into three families: cloque jacquard for evening, knit jacquard for day, and historic archive jacquards from the 20th anniversary capsule.

Cloque jacquard: the Holiday 2027 pieces

The Cloque Jacquard Midi Dress in forest green has what Erdem calls a subtle, rippled texture. It is a fit and flare shape with a straight neckline, no sleeves, a centre back zip and a slim bow belt at the waist. It is fully lined, so the cloque sits smoothly against the body.

Its long sister, the Cloque Jacquard Draped Gown, uses the same green cloth. Here the neckline is draped, the sleeves are capped, the skirt falls to the floor and a matching bow belt keeps the slim line defined. For black tie, this is the jacquard to reach for; our Erdem gowns guide sets it against the rest of the evening edit.

From the anniversary capsule, the Embroidered Cloque Jacquard Sleeveless Midi Dress is cut from black cloque jacquard first seen in Autumn Winter 2021 and set with oversized jewels. It has a ballet-inspired scoop neck, shoulder straps and hidden side seam pockets, and its fit note reads fits true to size.

Knit jacquard: the day dresses

Two knit shapes carry the day side. The Knit Jacquard Midi Dress is slim throughout, with a crew neck, long fitted sleeves, raised florals and fringing on the skirt. It is unlined and sized XS to XL, closing with a side seam zip.

The Jacquard Long Sleeve Midi Knit Dress in red is knitted with a black boucle floral design. It is fitted through the bodice and hips, flares into a midi skirt with a rib knit hem and simply slips on. A navy version, the Jacquard Long Sleeve Midi Knit Dress, has the same fit and flare cut for a quieter palette. Both sit in our edit of long sleeve dresses.

Historic and patchwork jacquards

The Floral Fringe Jacquard Sleeveless Midi Dress is cut from a historic Erdem jacquard woven with long loops of yarn, so the fabric moves as you walk and the hem finishes in fringe. It is a sleeveless pencil shape with a crew neck, centre back vent and full lining.

The Jacquard Midi Dress patchworks historic jacquard, textured satin and cloque into a slim, ankle-length pencil dress with a V-neckline. The Floral Jacquard Sleeveless Midi Dress splices three archived floral jacquards, with hand-applied crystals and pearls tracing the crew neck and a 20 years of Erdem label at the hem. Erdem marks it fits true to size.

For something lighter, the Floral Creponne Jacquard Short Sleeve Midi Dress is woven in a lightweight pink creponne jacquard with a Belle Epoque-inspired poppy design, a draped crew neck and asymmetric sleeves. It is partially lined and has a more relaxed air than the structured pieces.

How do you wear a jacquard dress?

Let the fabric lead: a jacquard dress already carries pattern and texture, so keep accessories plain and choose one strong finishing piece.

• Pick shoes with a clean line. A pointed pump, a slim slingback and a sleek knee boot all sit well under a midi hem without competing with the weave.
• Keep jewellery to one focal point. Pieces like the Embroidered Cloque Jacquard Sleeveless Midi Dress and the Floral Jacquard Sleeveless Midi Dress already have jewels at the neckline, so skip the necklace.
• Use the belt you are given. Both cloque jacquard pieces come with a slim bow belt; wear it, since it sets the waist the cut was designed around.
• Match texture to texture. A smooth satin, a fine knit and a plain wool coat all make cloque look richer, while another busy texture fights it.
• Mind the fringe. On the fringed dresses, a bag with a short handle keeps the skirt free to move.

What should you wear with a jacquard dress in each season?

Jacquard is at its best from autumn through winter, but the lighter weaves carry into spring with the right layers.

Autumn. The knit jacquard dresses do the most work here. Add a knee boot and a structured jacket; the Flower Jacquard Cropped Jacket, in midnight blue matelasse jacquard with a single ecru poppy, gives a boxy contrast to the fit and flare skirt.

Winter. Cloque and patchwork jacquards come into their own at parties and dinners. Over them, a long coat matters more than a cropped one. The Textured Satin Wrap Coat splices historic jacquard with textured, embroidered satin and wraps with a self-tie belt; it is cut oversized, so it slips over a fitted dress without crushing it. Browse more options among our designer coats.

Spring. Reach for the creponne jacquard. It is lighter than cloque and the short, asymmetric sleeves look right with bare legs and a low heel.

Summer. Sleeveless jacquards work for evening weddings and garden parties when nights cool down. Save the knits and the heavier cloque for cooler months.

Is a jacquard dress formal enough for black tie?

A floor-length jacquard gown is formal enough for black tie; a jacquard midi suits cocktail, dinner and daytime events.

Length is the deciding factor. The Cloque Jacquard Draped Gown reaches the floor and suits black tie and winter galas. The ankle-length Jacquard Midi Dress sits between categories and looks smartest at evening weddings and formal dinners. The knit jacquards are day dresses at heart, best at lunches, the office and early evening drinks.

For a winter wedding, a cloque midi with a bow belt reads polished without upstaging anyone. Our Erdem Christmas party and New Year’s Eve dress guide covers the party side of the same pieces.

How should a jacquard dress fit?

A woven jacquard should skim the body without pulling, because the fabric has little give and will show strain across the seams.

Woven cloque and patchwork jacquards have structure and no stretch, so check your bust and hip against the size chart instead of guessing. The knit jacquards are sized XS to XL and are more forgiving. Several of the anniversary pieces carry the note fits true to size. For conversions between UK, US and EU numbers, see the Erdem size guide.

How do you care for a jacquard dress?

Treat a jacquard dress gently: follow the care label on the piece, store it hanging, and avoid pressing the raised pattern flat.

Lined, structured jacquards with embellishment, jewels and fringe are best left to a specialist cleaner. Hang them on a padded hanger with room either side so the texture is not crushed. Steam lightly from the inside instead of ironing the face, since heat and pressure can flatten cloque and blister weaves. Fold knit jacquards instead of hanging them, so the shoulders keep their shape.

Where can you buy Erdem jacquard dresses?

Coveti stocks Erdem jacquard dresses and ships them worldwide from UAE and Australia hubs by DHL Express and FedEx International Priority, insured and signed for.

To see the wider Erdem dress offer, start with the best Erdem dresses, then explore the season behind the Holiday 2027 cloque in our Autumn Winter 2026 and Holiday 2027 report.

Frequently asked questions

What is a jacquard dress?

A jacquard dress is made from fabric whose pattern is woven into the cloth on a jacquard loom, instead of being printed on the surface. The motif is usually slightly raised, which gives the dress texture and extra body.

What is the difference between jacquard and brocade?

Jacquard is the weaving method, while brocade is one fabric made with it. Brocade adds extra weft threads, often metallic, that float over the ground to create a raised pattern that looks almost embroidered.

Is cloque a type of jacquard?

Yes. Cloque is a double-layered jacquard weave whose layers shrink at different rates, leaving a puckered, blistered surface. Erdem uses cloque jacquard for its Holiday 2027 midi dress and draped gown.

What are the different styles of jacquard dresses?

The main styles are fit and flare midis, slim pencil dresses, draped gowns and long-sleeved knit jacquard dresses. Erdem currently offers all four, from fringed archive jacquards to forest green cloque.

Can you wear a jacquard dress in summer?

Lighter weaves such as creponne jacquard and sleeveless cuts work for summer evenings and weddings. Heavier cloque and knit jacquard dresses are better saved for autumn and winter.

How do you wash a jacquard dress?

Always follow the care label on the piece. Lined, embellished jacquard dresses are best taken to a specialist cleaner, and steaming from the inside protects the raised pattern better than ironing the face.