What Are Bandage Dresses Made From

Last updated on : January 31 2023

Article Summary

Bandage dresses are typically made from a heavy, stretchy fabric, such as a blend of rayon, nylon, and spandex, which is designed to hug the body and provide support. The material is usually thick enough to provide structure and prevent transparency but stretchy enough to allow for ease of movement and comfort.

While bandage dresses are form-fitting, many people find them comfortable to wear. The stretchy fabric allows for ease of movement, and the heavy material provides structure and support. However, it's always best to try on a dress before purchasing to ensure it fits comfortably and feels good.

How We Make Our Bandage Dresses

Paris Hilton once said, "The only rule is, don't be boring, and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in." And that's our motto too. 

We started The Kewl Shop to provide designer inspired dresses to every woman, everywhere. Since 2012, we've done just that. We sell a lot of bandage dresses in many sizes, shades, and styles.

We make all our dresses from 90% rayon, 8% nylon, and 2% spandex. Although recently, we've introduced a lighter bandage bodycon dress in a blend of polyester and spandex (see below).   

Understanding these three materials and what they add to our dresses is useful. Not only in making an informed purchase but also to be confident that you are getting a quality dress that lasts a long time. 

High-Quality Bandage Dresses Come In Rayon, Nylon & Spandex

Quality bandage dresses stretch for optimal comfort and are durable enough to resist snagging. They provide a healthy shine for that designer inspired polish.

So what are the three components of a bandage dress that give it these sought-after qualities?

Rayon 

Rayon has been produced in France since the 1880s, and so has been around for a long time. However, it is probably not as well known as the other components of our dresses, Nylon, and Spandex. 

Rayon is made from a cellulose derivative, coming from wood pulp or similar organic materials. It's classified as semi-synthetic because it has a natural source but requires processing to become fabric.

It drapes well, is comfortable to wear, accessible to dye, and blends well with other fibers. And it is a less expensive alternative to silk. 

Most importantly, it has a high luster quality giving it a bright shine. All these aspects are perfect for the making of our bandage dresses and evening gowns.

Is Rayon Environmentally Friendly?

Rayon comes from renewable sources, usually bamboo, beach trees, pine trees, or eucalyptus. Some of these sources are incredibly renewable, are planted on marginalized land, and require less intensified farming than cotton, for instance. 

However, the processing of these raw materials into the end fabric can be, but is not always, applied in the most environmentally friendly way.

Additionally, a large part of the environmental impact of textiles applies to their aftercare. In particular, the use of water, detergents, and fabric softeners for cleaning after use. 

As a result, consumers need to inform themselves of the use and purchase of Rayon based products. Like the majority of textiles, these products do have an environmental impact but are still widely used, and the correct disclosure by the textile industry enforced.   

Nylon 

Unlike Rayon, Nylon is an entirely synthetic fabric made from petroleum products. A wide variety of products use it, not just the textile industry. It adds strength and resistance to damage and is a crucial component of our dresses.

Spandex 

Similarly to Nylon, Spandex is an entirely synthetic material with a polymer base, classified as polyurethane. Spandex is well known for its ability to stretch and can stretch up to 6 times its length and snap back to its original form. 

Spandex adds the body-hugging effect to our dresses, keeping your body tight and firm in a taught wrap. Interestingly Spandex can tire and lose its stretch over time, but fortunately, this takes a while.

The Three Fabrics Combined

So, in summary. Our dresses are approximately 90 percent rayon for its silk-like qualities and bright luster, 8 percent nylon for strength and durability. And 2 percent spandex for stretch and a figure-hugging fit.

Making The Fabric

Although the material composition is approximately the same across the dresses, each dress is individually woven on large looms (see images above) and delivered to a particular formula. As a result, materials are proprietary to us and are not made available to other manufacturers or dress producers.

The dresses you get from The Kewl Shop are unique in their composition and manufacture. And they proudly display our label. Buying a similar-looking dress elsewhere will not in any way guarantee our quality and durability.

A High Quality and Durable Dress

The mix of Rayon, Nylon, and Spandex result in high quality, durable, and robust dresses. The woven fabric is a suitable thickness and is not see-through in any way, allowing you to wear a tight fit with confidence. Additionally, the stretch in the material, approximately 3 to 5 inches across your body is sufficient to keep you taut and in place without feeling uncomfortable.  

Bandage dresses made from this composite fabric, especially using modern weaving methods, last a considerable amount of time and can put up with a significant amount of wear and tear. So you can be confident that your purchase will give you something to wear time and time again.

Bandage Bodycon Dresses

Recently (at the end of 2019), we introduced a lighter version of our bandage dresses made in a blend of polyester (97%) and spandex (3%). Because of the similarities to our full bandage dresses, we call the new style bandage bodycon dresses.

Some customers expressed an interest in a lighter bandage dress because they find full bandage material too heavy. So we fulfilled their need with the new bandage bodycon styles.

Bandage bodycon dresses look identical to full bandage dresses. However, they are lighter in touch and not as heavy to wear. They also have slightly less sheen because there is no rayon in the blend.

How To Care For My Dress?

Rayon can be negatively affected by too much water and could shrink. As a result, it is advisable to take some care in looking after it. We've written a post on exactly how to care for your dress here. 

Can I Buy A Cheaper Bandage Dress?

To understand the price you are paying, you need to understand the composition of the dress fabric you are buying.

Dresses made from Rayon, Nylon, and Spandex give the characteristics expected of a well-made bandage dress – shine, luster, figure-hugging stretch, form, and durability. These are very similar if not identical attributes to the dresses made by Herve Leger - perhaps the most famous of them all.

You can purchase cheaper dresses made out of lower quality fabric, the most popular being Polyester, a highly durable textile made from synthesized polymers. Although dresses made from polyester are perfectly acceptable for the price, they will not have the characteristics of Rayon based dresses and, therefore, should be bought with caution. 

What is the Difference between a Bodycon Dress

We get this question often, and many don't realize there is a difference. Below is an infographic that explains what this is. Additionally, read our article on the two dress types for a detailed explanation. A fundamental difference is the fabric component of each dress.   

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