7 Fabric Mistakes That Make You Look Cheap at Weddings & Parties

Have you ever worn an outfit that looked amazing in your head, but somehow looked different when you finally put it on?

That happened to a woman I know in Lekki.

She was getting ready for a wedding and had been planning the outfit for weeks. The tailor was good. The style was simple but beautiful. She had even bought the shoes already.

When the dress was ready, she tried it on.

Her first reaction was, “Hmm.”

Not because the dress was badly sewn. It wasn't.

Something about the fabric just wasn't giving her the look she wanted.

She kept looking at the dress, trying to figure out what had gone wrong. Eventually, she realised the fabric itself was the problem.

And honestly, this happens a lot.

We sometimes blame the tailor when some of the mistakes that make you look cheap happen much earlier, when we are choosing the fabric.

If you have an event coming up, these are a few things worth checking before you pay.

1. The Ankara Looks More Like Paper Than Fabric

You find an Ankara you love. The colours are beautiful, and the print looks perfect for the style you have in mind.

Then you touch it.

If it feels unusually stiff and makes a loud crinkling sound when you squeeze it, take your time before buying.

Some imitation Ankara has a lot of synthetic material in it. That can give it a stiff, plastic-like feel.

The problem becomes more obvious after sewing. Instead of falling nicely around the body, the dress can look stiff and sit awkwardly.

So please, don't buy Ankara with your eyes alone.

Touch it.

We explained this more in our blog post How to identify original ankara

2. The Gold Detail Feels Like It Was Glued On

This one is easy to miss in a shop.

You see a beautiful gold Ankara or brocade and the metallic design catches your eye immediately.

But try rubbing the gold part gently with your finger.

Does it feel hard? Does it feel like a layer sitting on top of the fabric rather than part of it?

Be careful.

Some cheaper metallic finishes can crack or peel. In some cases, the gold areas can even stick together when the fabric is folded.

That can be especially disappointing when you have paid for good tailoring and the fabric starts looking worn after only a few outings.

The gold may have sold you the fabric. But the finish is what you need to inspect.

3. The Lace Looks Pretty Until You Touch It

This has happened to plenty of women.

You see lace in the shop and immediately like it. The colour is lovely. The design is beautiful. It has that sparkle you want for a wedding.

Then you put it against your skin.

Scratchy.

Some low-quality, nylon-heavy lace can feel rough and uncomfortable. It may also have a very strong shine.

That shine can be even more noticeable in pictures.

Think about a wedding in Ikoyi. You have spent money on your dress, makeup and hair.

Then the photographer starts taking pictures and the lace is reflecting light everywhere.

Not exactly the look you were going for.

Before buying lace, feel it properly. Your hand can tell you a lot.

4. The Brocade Feels Too Light

Pick up the brocade.

Does it have some weight to it, or does it feel strangely thin?

Good brocade usually has enough body to give an outfit some structure. Very light brocade may not behave the same way.

A raised pattern can lose its shape. The fabric may wrinkle easily. A dress that was supposed to look sharp can end up looking flat.

This matters even more if you are making a structured dress or traditional outfit.

Sometimes spending a little more on better brocade is worth it.

5. You Never Looked at the Back of the Ankara

Most people don't.

They see the front, like the design and ask for the price.

But turn the fabric over.

Look at the reverse side.

A proper wax-style print should still show some colour and pattern from behind. If the front is very bright but the back looks completely dull and lifeless, take a closer look.

It could be a cheaper digital imitation.

The two sides do not have to look identical. They won't. But a very dramatic difference is something you should notice before buying.

It's a small check. It takes seconds.

6. The Lace Threads Look Weak

Take a close look at the lace before you leave the shop.

Are the threads firm? Or do they already look loose?

This may not seem like a big deal until you wear the outfit.

Your necklace catches it.

Your handbag catches it.

You sit on a rough chair.

Suddenly, one thread is pulled out.

And once a lace thread starts coming loose, the damage can spread.

If you are buying fabric for an important event, check the edges and surface carefully.

You don't want to discover the problem after the dress has been sewn.

7. The Fabric Has a Very Strong Chemical Smell

This is one of those things you should not ignore.

If you open the fabric and the smell is extremely strong, especially if it smells chemical or like petroleum, stop and have a closer look.

A strong smell can sometimes point to poor finishing or low-quality dyes.

It does not automatically mean the fabric is dangerous. But why rush to buy something that already makes you uncomfortable?

There are plenty of fabrics to choose from.

A Better Way to Shop for Fabric in Lagos

Once you know these little signs, fabric shopping becomes less of a guessing game.

You start noticing things you probably would have ignored before.

That is one reason it helps to have a fabric store in Lekki you can trust.

At PR Fabrics, you can shop for Ankara, lace, brocade, Adire, silk and chiffon in one place. The store is in Lekki, Lagos, which makes things easier if you live around Lekki or nearby areas.

And if you are preparing for an event in Ikeja, Ikoyi or Victoria Island and don't have time to drive around looking for fabric, PR Fabrics offers delivery in minutes.

You can also buy fabric online and have it delivered without spending hours going from shop to shop.

The next time you are choosing fabric, don't just ask yourself, “Do I like this design?”

Ask a few more questions.

How does it feel?

Does it have the right weight?

What does the back look like?

Are the threads strong?

Does the finish look good?

Those few checks can save you from spending money on fabric that will make a beautiful outfit look less expensive than it should.

Shop quality fabric from PR Fabrics and get 5% discount on your first order. Choose your next outfit with confidence.