As every bride knows, finding the right dress for her wedding is one of the most important decisions she’ll ever make. This once-in-a-lifetime gown isn’t just an expression of her personal style, it’s also an emblem of the solemnity of her ceremony and her commitment to a new life. It needs to reflect her cultural and religious traditions, flatter her figure and complement the aesthetic of her other wedding choices. It has to be beautiful but not too formal, romantic but not overly sweet, unique but not overly edgy, maybe even flirty or foxy without crossing into provocative territory, bridal but not matronly—and, of course, as budget-friendly as possible.
As with any other type of fashion, wedding dresses often fall in line with popular trends. For instance, when Princess Diana stepped out in her taffeta silk ball gown with poufy shoulders and lace trim in 1981, she set the stage for all future brides who wanted to show off their figure in a full-skirted silhouette. By the 2000s, strapless dresses with plunging necklines and long trains were all the rage, while more recently, many brides have moved away from full skirts in favor of fitted frocks that give them a sexy and modern feel.
The color of a wedding gown is another area where many brides are pushing the envelope. While white was once considered the only appropriate color for a wedding dress—as an indicator of purity and virginity—by the late 1880s, women’s magazines were proclaiming that “there is no shade more fit for a bride than ivory.”
Many modern brides are choosing not to wear a traditional gown at all and are instead getting married in short, casual minidresses or tuxedo-inspired separates. The trend is being picked up by retailers, with a recent bridal capsule collection from e-commerce retailer Ssense including unorthodox dresses, flower girl attire and accessories.
What’s more, younger generations are less likely to see marriage as a necessary step towards happiness and may choose to cohabit with their partners long-term instead of taking the plunge. However, this does not mean that they don’t want to celebrate the day in some way. “I have clients who are trying to get away from the traditional notion of a wedding, and who just want to spend their money on a home,” says Taymour.
Whether or not a bride decides to wear a traditional gown on her big day, the most important thing is that she feels confident and happy in what she’s wearing. To help her find the perfect fit, she can start by looking at her own wardrobe for dresses that suit her shape and feel like a natural extension of herself. This will give her a better understanding of what types of cuts and silhouettes work best for her, making it easier to explain to the expert at the boutique when she’s ready to try on different styles.