LaPointe Satin Dresses: The House Fabric Explained

If LaPointe has a house fabric it is doubleface satin. It runs through the dresses, the trousers, the cape tees and the blazers, and it is the reason the collection photographs the way it does. Learning how this one cloth behaves tells you most of what you need to know about buying the brand.

What is doubleface satin?

Satin is a weave, not a fibre. It floats long threads across the surface of the cloth, which is what produces the shine. Doubleface means the weave is built so both sides are finished, which gives the fabric more body than a single-face satin of the same weight.

The practical difference is drape. A thin satin floats and clings. A doubleface satin falls. It holds a column shape, it does not show every line underneath it, and it takes a deep colour without going flat. LaPointe cuts it mostly in acetate and viscose blends, sometimes with a little elastane.

Why does LaPointe use satin for so much?

Because it does two jobs at once. It reads as evening, and it is comfortable enough to sit down in for three hours.

It also carries colour better than almost anything else at the price. A berry, an emerald and a mulberry all look saturated in satin and muddy in a matte crepe. Since the house is built on strong colour, the fabric choice follows from the design.

Which LaPointe satin piece should I start with?

The cape tee. A wide, short-sleeved satin top that skims rather than fits. It is the most worn piece in the collection for a reason: it goes with a jean, a tailored trouser and its own matching satin pant. Find it in tops.

The relaxed pleated trouser. Full through the leg, pleated at the natural waist, long enough for a heel. It is the other half of the tonal column. See pants.

The bias slip and halter gowns. The evening end. Cut on the diagonal grain so the satin follows the body without seams. Browse dresses.

The shift dress. Short, wide-sleeved, often with a feather cuff. The easiest satin dress to wear in daylight.

Does satin show every lump?

A cheap satin does. A doubleface one does much less, because the weight of the cloth carries it away from the body rather than over it.

Two things help further. Cut matters more than fabric: a bias gown skims, a straight-cut column can pull. And colour matters: a mid to deep shade shows far less than a pale one under a flash. If you are worried, start with chocolate, marine and mulberry rather than cloud and oat.

How do you look after satin?

Dry clean it, hang it on a padded hanger, and never fold it for storage. Satin takes a crease along a fold line and that crease is difficult to remove.

For travel creases, hang the piece in a bathroom with a hot shower running rather than pressing it. A direct iron on acetate satin can leave a permanent shine mark, and a steamer held too close will do the same. If you must press, use a low heat and a pressing cloth on the reverse.

Deodorant and perfume are the other enemies. Put both on before the garment, and let them dry.

What sizes does the satin come in?

LaPointe sizes on the US ladder and Coveti converts to UK, so a UK 10 is a US 4 at source. Most of the satin is cut true to size. The bias gowns relax slightly as you wear them, so take your usual size rather than sizing down. Full detail in the sizing guide.

Where to buy

Coveti carries the LaPointe satin collection across dresses, tops, trousers and tailoring. Browse the LaPointe edit, and see the satin suit guide for the tailored end. Every piece is authenticated before dispatch.

Frequently asked questions

What is doubleface satin?

Satin is a weave that floats long threads across the surface to create shine. Doubleface means both sides are finished, which gives the cloth more body. It falls rather than clings, holds a column shape and takes deep colour well.

Is LaPointe satin see-through?

No. The doubleface weight carries the cloth away from the body rather than over it, so it is far less revealing than a thin single-face satin. Mid and deep shades show less under a camera flash than pale ones.

Can you iron LaPointe satin?

Avoid it. A direct iron on acetate satin can leave a permanent shine mark. Hang the piece in a bathroom with a hot shower running to drop a crease. If you must press, use low heat and a pressing cloth on the reverse.

What is the most versatile LaPointe satin piece?

The satin cape tee. It is wide and short-sleeved, and it works over denim, with a tailored trouser and with its own matching satin pant.

Should I size down in LaPointe satin?

No. Most of the satin is cut true to size, and the bias gowns relax slightly as you wear them, so take your usual size.

Read next

• The LaPointe satin suit
• LaPointe evening gowns
• The LaPointe sizing guide

Written by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti.