FILTERS
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- Beaded Net
- Beaded Tulle
- Chiffon
- Crystal Mesh
- Crystal Organza
- Crystal Organza Print
- Crystal Satin
- Embroidery
- Glitter
- Glitter Stretch Jersey
- Glitter Tulle
- Hologram Jersey
- Hologram Sequin
- Jacquard
- Jersey
- Lace
- Luxe Lycra Jersey
- Lycra
- Matte Satin
- Metallic Crepe
- Metallic Jacquard
- Metallic Net
- Metallic Organza
- Metallic Shimmer
- Ombre Glitter Tulle
- Ombre Velvet Sequin
- Organza
- Organza Print
- Pleated Strech Lame
- Pleated Tulle
- Print Chiffon
- Print Mikado
- Print Satin
- Satin
- Satin Print
- Scuba
- Sequin
- Sequin Beading
- Sequin Glitter Stretch Jersey
- Sequin Tulle
- Shimmer Sequin
- Strech Shimmer Jersey
- Stretch Jersey
- Stretch Lame
- Stretch Net
- Stretch Print Tulle
- Stretch Satin
- Stretch Satin Jersey
- Stretch Shimmer Jersey
- Stretch Tulle
- Taffeta
- Triacetate
- Tulle
- Velvet
Prom Dresses
Rachel Allan Metallic Net Prom Dresses
Metallic net creates sparkle through negative space. The mesh structure means you're looking at metallic threads suspended in air rather than laid against solid fabric, which gives these gowns their distinctive ethereal quality. Light passes through the open weave, hits your skin or the underlayer, and reflects back through the metallic grid. Rachel Allan exploits this optical effect by layering metallic net over contrasting base colors, creating depth that solid fabrics simply cannot achieve.
Breathability in Formal Wear
The mesh construction solves a problem that most embellished gowns create: heat retention. Air moves freely through metallic net, keeping you cooler during extended wear despite the dress looking completely formal. This matters during hours of dancing or in crowded venues where temperature control becomes critical. The open weave also means the dress weighs considerably less than it appears, since you're wearing structure with strategic voids rather than continuous yardage.
Layering for Visual Complexity
These Rachel Allan designs often stack multiple layers of metallic net at varying densities. Areas with triple or quadruple layers read as solid metallic, while single-layer sections stay translucent. This technique creates gradient effects and strategic opacity without sewing separate fabric panels. The netting can also be gathered or pleated more dramatically than solid materials, producing texture and volume without corresponding bulk. You see this in skirts where metallic net creates fullness that moves fluidly rather than holding a stiff shape.
Movement and Light Play
Metallic net responds to movement differently than sequined or beaded fabrics. Instead of individual elements catching light, the entire mesh structure shimmers uniformly as it shifts. The effect is subtle sophistication rather than disco-ball sparkle. As you walk, the netting moves in waves that create traveling patterns of light and shadow across the surface. This makes metallic net particularly effective for styles designed to photograph well during movement, capturing dynamic shots that show dimension and flow.