It is a richly decorative shuttle-woven soft-textured fabric woven with silk, wool, cotton, and synthetic fibres. This fabric was traditionally regarded as an exclusive fabric reserved for the noble and wealthy. During most of the fabric’s history, Imperial brocade was the favourite and most expensive type woven from silk threads mixed with gold or silver yarns.
And even though brocade is now made with inexpensive fibres, it still radiates a distinctive aura of beauty and sophistication.
Brocade Fabrics, for Home Décor or Apparel?
But what is brocade best for? Home décor items (window treatments, linen, soft furnishings) and furniture (couches, accent chairs), or clothing (formal wear, jackets) and fashion accessories (evening purses, handbags, shoes)?
Traditionally, it was used to make clothing for special events and ceremonies. Brocade was made into coronation attires and wedding gowns. Brocade was also used to make vests and waistcoats for men and shoes and handbags for ladies. In middle to upper-class homes, the material was used extensively for furniture upholstery, bed covers, tablecloths, napkins, bell pulls, elaborate drapery, canopy beds, and lampshades.
Today, brocade is used for similar things, including semi-formal and formal wear, blazers, agbada (African kaftans), cummerbunds, and bridal wear. Brocade is also used for restoring antique furniture, like chaise lounges, accent chairs, period sofas and couches, upholstery, and drapery.
So, what is brocade material best used for?
While brocade fabrics are used more for home décor items and interior furnishings, we believe they still make elegant special-occasion apparel.
Home Décor Items Made From Brocade
If you are a home stylist, there are a variety of items you can make from brocade. They include:
- Sofas, couches, dining, and occasional chairs.
- Drapery and traditional-style curtains.
- Fabric wallpaper (with wallpaper liner).
- Table linen.
- Wall and fabric art.
- Throw pillow covers.
- Decorative panelling material.
- Foldable screens.
- Lampshades.
It is also a fine-looking textile for window treatments and features wall covering if you plan to add a formal and classic look to your hallway, living, or bedroom space.
Apparel Wears Made with Brocade
If you are a fashion designer, a DIY sewing enthusiast, or a dressmaker, you will appreciate the beauty of brocade. You already know that brocade fabrics are popular materials for formal and semi-formal wear. High-end designers and custom garment makers use brocade fabrics for:
- Vintage-inspired wedding dresses.
- Tuxedos and other formal jackets.
- Evening gowns.
- Cropped (short) jackets.
- Evening hand purses and clutch bags.
- Elegant stiletto shoes.
- Bridal wear.
- Haute couture (custom-fitted) clothing.
If you are looking for an elegant and sophisticated look, brocade is an ideal and affordable option. In the entertainment industry, it is used for stage show costuming. And recently, high-end designers have incorporated brocade textiles into designs made for everyday wear. It is now used extensively in Africa as the base fabric for the tie-and-dye process.