Charmeuse is a lightweight fabric woven with a satin weave, which means that it consists of four or more weft yarns floating on top of a single warp yarn. This distinctive weave gives the front of the fabric a smooth, shiny finish, whereas the back has a dull finish. Charmeuse differs from plain satin in that it has a different ratio of float (face) threads and is of a lighter weight. Charmeuse may be made of silk, polyester, or rayon, and woven from blended fibers. Silk charmeuse is more expensive and delicate but is softer and a better insulator, while polyester charmeuse is cheaper and can often withstand machine washing. Charmeuse is used in womens clothing such as lingerie, evening gowns, and blouses, especially garments with a bias cut. It is occasionally used in menswear.

Some key characteristics of charmeuse fabric include:

• Satin side: Charmeuse has a satin side, which is shiny, and a matte side, which is dull.
• Drape: Charmeuse is lightweight and drapes easily, making it ideal for flowing garments.
• Challenging to sew: Polyester charmeuse can be a challenging fabric to sew; it tends to be slippery and may be difficult to control through the presser foot of a sewing machine. It has a tendency to pucker at the seams and fray during cutting and handling.
• Luxurious appearance: The look of charmeuse is prized for dressy garments, especially when cut on the bias, a technique used to create garments that flow well on the body.
• Ideal for evening wear: Charmeuse is often used in womens evening wear, gowns, and blouses, as well as lingerie and slips.
• Also used in home furnishings: Charmeuse has also become increasingly popular as a luxury bedding material, used to make pillows and sheets. It can also be used for curtains and cushion covers.