Chiffon is delicate, no matter where it comes from. It is a super-lightweight loosely woven fabric. Anything diaphanous, like chiffon, tulle (especially silken tulle) crepe, etc., are going to be more fragile than things like broadcloth, brocade, corduroy, etc. Among the lightweight fabrics, charmeuse and crepe wear pretty well where silks are concerned, and I am rather fond of cotton voile for summer wear. Another thing to consider are blends, especially the new microfibre synthetics, which can add greater wear and improve the "hand" of natural fibres with which they are mixed.
Satins may hold up well as far as integrity goes, but may lose their finish or get snagged, because their smooth, slick nature is created by having a dense layer of "floating" or unsecured weft threads which are subject to breakage or snags. Similarly, the smooth, mirrorlike finish of velvets will show wear as the nap gets crushed out of place or breaks down along seamlines. Any napped fabric will show wear along seamlines first, be it a gabardine, flannel, or even corduroy. Some fabrics actually look better when they wear in, however.
What sort of dress are you wanting to have made? Possibly I can give you some recommendations on what kind of fabric to look for.
