There's something about a tea dress that never goes out of style. Fitted at the waist, a skirt that swishes when you walk, and just the right amount of vintage charm. Most tea dresses are made in cotton or crepe, but if you want one that really turns heads at a wedding, garden party or Christmas do, try making yours in taffeta. It holds a full skirt beautifully, has a gorgeous sheen, and our prices mean you can make a showstopper without spending a fortune.
Here's our guide to making a taffeta tea dress, the fabrics we'd pick, and the lining that finishes it off properly.
Why taffeta works so well for a tea dress
- Body and swish. Taffeta has a crisp handle, so a gathered or circle skirt keeps its shape without needing layers of petticoat.
- That vintage sheen. Two-tone (shot) taffeta changes colour as the light catches it, which gives a 1950s-style tea dress real glamour.
- Great value. At 150cm (60") wide you get plenty out of every metre, so a full dress costs far less than you'd think.
Our top taffeta picks for a tea dress
1. Plain Two-Tone Shot Taffeta, just £4.99 per metre (was £6.99)
Our go-to for a classic tea dress. Plain enough to show off a pretty pattern, with that lovely shot finish. In stock now in shades including Dusky Pink, Ivory/Cream, Aubergine Shot Black, Mauve, Oyster, Purple Slub and Royal Blue.
Shop Plain Two-Tone Shot Taffeta
2. Spotted Taffeta with Embroidered Circles, £7.99 per metre (was £14.99)
Polka dots and tea dresses are a match made in heaven. This one has embroidered circles for texture and a bit of luxury, and it's nearly half price. In stock in Gold Shot Pink, Aubergine, Black, Duck Egg, Brown and Cream.
Shop Spotted Embroidered Taffeta
3. Symphony Foil Floral Taffeta, just £4.99 per metre (was £14.99)
A floral tea dress with a shimmer. The foil print makes this one perfect for evening dos and party season, and at two-thirds off it's a proper bargain. In stock in Pink, Silver, Aubergine and Black/Silver.
Shop Symphony Foil Floral Taffeta
4. Gold Swirls Embroidery Taffeta, £6.99 per metre (was £14.99)
Want something a bit special for a wedding guest outfit? The gold swirl embroidery gives a tea dress a really elegant, occasion-ready look.
Shop Gold Swirls Embroidery Taffeta
Don't skip the lining
Taffeta looks amazing on the outside, but it can feel a little crisp against the skin. A good lining makes your tea dress comfortable to wear all day, helps it hang nicely, and stops it clinging to tights.
We recommend our Anti Static Premium Dress Lining, just £3.50 per metre. It's a lightweight 62gsm polyester, 150cm wide, and the anti-static finish means no static cling, which really matters under a fuller skirt. It comes in loads of colours, so you can match or contrast your taffeta: think Ivory or Cream under ivory taffeta, Dusky Pink or Peachy Pink under pink shades, Purple under aubergine, or Mint for a fun surprise flash of colour.
How much fabric do I need?
This depends on your pattern and size, so always check the pattern envelope first. As a rough guide for a knee-length tea dress with sleeves in 150cm-wide fabric:
- Taffeta: around 2.5 to 3 metres (allow a little extra for a full circle skirt or to match a print)
- Lining: around 2 to 2.5 metres to line the bodice and skirt
Budget example: 3m of Plain Two-Tone Shot Taffeta (£14.97) plus 2m of Anti Static Dress Lining (£7.00) comes to just £21.97 for the fabric for a fully lined dress.
Making your taffeta tea dress: our top tips
- Choose your pattern. Look for a fitted bodice, a defined waist and a gathered, pleated or half-circle skirt. A sweetheart or V neckline and short flutter or puff sleeves all suit taffeta well.
- Use a fresh, fine needle. A size 70/10 or 80/12 microtex needle helps avoid snags and puckering. Taffeta can show pin and needle holes, so pin within the seam allowance.
- Cut the lining from the same pattern. Cut your bodice and skirt pieces again in lining, leaving off any facings if your pattern uses the lining to finish the neckline.
- Press with care. Use a low to medium heat and a pressing cloth, and test on a scrap first so you don't leave shine marks or flatten the sheen.
- Finish your seams. Taffeta can fray, so overlock, zigzag or use French seams on the lining for a neat inside.
- Attach lining and bodice. Sew the lining to the bodice at the neckline, understitch so it rolls neatly to the inside, then hand-stitch it to the zip tape for a really professional finish.
- Hem last. Hang the dress for a day before hemming so the skirt can settle, then hem the lining about 2 to 3cm shorter than the taffeta so it never peeks out.
Ready to get sewing?
Whether it's a pretty spotty number for a summer wedding or a shimmering floral for the party season, a taffeta tea dress is a brilliant make. Pick your favourite taffeta, add our anti-static lining, and you've got a designer look for a fraction of the high street price.
Prices and colours are correct at the time of writing and popular shades do sell out, so grab yours while stock lasts!
