What Is Crinkle Chiffon? The Fabric, How It Travels and How to Care for It

Crinkle chiffon is sheer, lightweight chiffon that has been heat-set into fine, permanent creases, so the fabric has a rippled texture, a little extra stretch and very little need for ironing. It is a favourite for evening gowns and floaty blouses, and the Ulla Johnson Pre-Spring 2027 collection uses it on a long run of gowns, dresses and tops, some of them shot through with silver and gold Lurex. For the other fine fabric in this drop, see what is Chantilly lace.

Key facts

• Crinkle chiffon is sheer chiffon heat-set into fine permanent creases, which gives it texture and a little stretch.
• Synthetic yarns hold a heat-set crinkle firmly, while pure silk holds it less firmly and can relax with moisture.
• Georgette is heavier and more opaque than chiffon because it is woven from more highly twisted yarns.
• The Ulla Johnson Persephone gown is made in crinkle chiffon of 85% silk and 15% polyester with silver and gold Lurex threadwork.

What is chiffon in the first place?

Chiffon is a sheer, plain-weave fabric made from tightly twisted yarns, which give it a slightly rough, matte hand and a soft drape. It was first woven in silk, and silk chiffon is still the luxury version; polyester and blended chiffons are lighter on the wallet and hold a shape well. Flat chiffon is smooth and see-through, and it floats away from the body when you walk.

How is crinkle chiffon made?

The finished chiffon is pressed into tiny folds, twisted and then set with heat so the creases stay. The result looks a little like crushed tissue paper. Fibre matters here: synthetic yarns hold a heat-set crease very well, while pure silk holds it less firmly and can relax with moisture. Blends sit in between, which is why you will see silk and polyester crinkle chiffons on evening pieces.

Why crinkle chiffon travels well

The creases are already there, so new ones from a suitcase disappear into the texture. Roll the gown, pack it, shake it out on arrival and hang it for an hour. That makes crinkle chiffon one of the most practical choices for a wedding abroad and a long weekend with one formal night.

Crinkle chiffon vs flat chiffon vs georgette

• Flat chiffon is smooth, sheer and fluid, and shows every crease, so it needs steaming.
• Crinkle chiffon is textured, a touch springy and forgiving of packing, with a slightly less transparent look because the folds layer the fabric.
• Georgette is woven from even more highly twisted yarns, so it is heavier, more opaque and has a grainy, crepe-like surface with more bounce.
• Satin-faced chiffon has a satin finish on one face, which gives the sheer fabric a subtle sheen while keeping its lightness.

Ulla Johnson uses all of these this season, and seeing them side by side is the easiest way to learn the difference.

How to wear crinkle chiffon

Texture does a lot of the work, so the styling can be simple.

• Keep accessories smooth: a satin sandal, a leather clutch and polished gold.
• Let a ruffled crinkle top sit with clean skirts and trousers in twill and crepe.
• For a gown with Lurex threadwork, skip sequins elsewhere and let the shimmer stand alone.
• Bring a fitted jacket, because crinkle chiffon is light and evenings cool quickly.

The picks: crinkle chiffon at Ulla Johnson

1. Persephone Off the Shoulder Gown in Noir

The Persephone Off the Shoulder Gown in black crinkle chiffon (85% silk, 15% polyester) has a square neckline, voluminous ruffles, an elastic waist and allover silver and gold Lurex threadwork. This is the lurex dress of the season.

2. Persephone Off the Shoulder Gown in Cosmos

The same Persephone gown in cosmos peach, a softer colour for a daytime ceremony with the same ruffles and shimmer.

3. Odilia Ruffled Blouse in Noir

The Odilia Ruffled Blouse in black crinkle chiffon, with a V-neckline, long sleeves, a drawstring waist and Lurex threadwork. Wear it with black trousers for a dinner.

4. Elara Ruffle Top in Cosmos

The Elara Ruffle Top in cosmos peach has tiered ruffled sleeves, a fly-away hem and the same silver and gold Lurex in the crinkle chiffon.

5. Gossamer Gown in Jasmine

The Gossamer Gown in silk crinkle chiffon carries the Jasmine print, floral bouquets on cream with mint lines, and falls into a gently pleated skirt. A strong chiffon gown for a summer wedding.

6. Marina Dress in Primrose

The Marina Dress in the Primrose print, a rust and coral floral on silk crinkle chiffon, with a V-neckline, long sleeves and a pleated midi skirt.

7. Adeline Dress in Amaranthus

The Adeline Dress in the Amaranthus print, dark garnet and rose bouquets, has a sculptural peplum waist over a pleated skirt in silk crinkle chiffon.

For comparison: satin-faced chiffon

8. Demetra Gown in Acacia

The Demetra Gown in satin-faced silk chiffon, printed with small pale yellow Acacia blooms on cream, is gathered at the bodice and waist with a gently pleated floor-length skirt.

9. Freesia Gown in Wisteria

The Freesia Gown in wisteria lilac satin-faced chiffon, with micro-pleats, ruching, gathered tiers and a crisscross back.

For more gowns, read Ulla Johnson gowns and our ball gowns guide.

How to care for crinkle chiffon

Follow the label first. Every chiffon piece in this Ulla Johnson drop is marked dry clean only, and that is the safe route for silk and for metallic yarn. Tell your cleaner the fabric is crinkled so it is not pressed flat. At home, hang the piece, keep it away from steam and water, which can relax the creases on silk, and store it loosely twisted to keep the texture.

Sizing

Ulla Johnson cuts in US sizes and Coveti lists the UK equivalent: a US 0 is a UK 4, a US 4 is a UK 8 and a US 6 is a UK 10. Knitwear runs P to XL, with P listed as XS. The brand gives no advice to size up on any piece in this drop, so take your usual size. The full charts are in our Ulla Johnson size guide. Elastic waists and gathered bodices give a little room, so the shoulders and bust are the places to check.

More chiffon to browse

For further browsing, Costarellos, Giambattista Valli and Emilia Wickstead are labels to look at for sheer evening dressing. Our black tie wedding guest dresses edit puts gowns in context.

Frequently asked questions

What is crinkle chiffon?

Crinkle chiffon is sheer chiffon that has been heat-set into fine permanent creases, giving it a rippled texture and a little stretch.

Does crinkle chiffon wrinkle?

Very little. The fabric is already creased, so packing creases blend into the texture and usually drop out after hanging.

What is the difference between chiffon and georgette?

Georgette is heavier, more opaque and has a grainy crepe-like surface, while chiffon is lighter, sheerer and smoother.

What is satin-faced chiffon?

Satin-faced chiffon has a satin finish on one face, which gives the sheer fabric a subtle, light-catching sheen.

What is a Lurex dress?

A Lurex dress uses Lurex, a metallic yarn, woven into the fabric for shimmer. The Persephone gown works silver and gold Lurex into crinkle chiffon.

How do you clean crinkle chiffon?

Follow the care label. The silk crinkle chiffon pieces here are dry clean only, and they should not be pressed flat.

Read next: What is Chantilly lace?, Ulla Johnson gowns, Spring wedding guest dresses.

By Gemma Deeks, Coveti Fashion Editor. Updated 21 October 2026.