A bride’s wedding dress is a significant and symbolic garment. It is designed and tailored specifically for the bride to wear on her big day and is often adorned with elaborate embellishments. It is often a long gown in white or ivory with unique design elements.
Like many other fashion items, bridal wear has historically followed trends and popular styles. Pristine, white fairy-tale dresses that can be worn only once and then tucked away weren’t the norm until the mid nineteenth century when they became de rigueur in European countries where weddings were typically held in the churches. Before that, women were free to choose whatever color they liked – gold or red for royalty, blue or black for lower classes.
In the 1940s, rationing and wartime shortages led to a shift in wedding dress design. The federal Limitation Order 85 allowed for only one and three-quarter yards of fabric to be used for a wedding gown, so designers came up with innovative ways to make their gowns more economical. One of the more interesting was to incorporate lace into a dress by covering it in fabric instead. This trend was picked up by bridal designers, and lace has become a classic embellishment for wedding gowns to this day.
Another trend that has emerged is sustainable fashion, a growing awareness among consumers of the impact of their shopping on the environment and society. As a result, brides have been seeking out gowns made from ethically sourced materials and made with a minimal carbon footprint. Some of these dresses are being made from recycled materials such as old silk ties, or are being created by eco-conscious designers who create inclusive collections for a diverse range of body types and cultural backgrounds.
Other trends include a return to more traditional silhouettes, with gowns being designed and tailored to work with the shape of a woman’s body. The sleeves are shorter, and necklines more modest. This is a move that reflects the growing number of brides who are not coming from the same socioeconomic backgrounds as those in the past, and want to express their own individual style on their wedding day.
One of the most important things a bride can do when selecting her wedding dress is to make sure it works for her body type. It should be comfortable enough to dance in, work well with her other wedding accessories and be as flattering on her as possible. She also wants a dress that is stylish but not trendy, unique without being too over the top or ostentatious, flirty and foxy without crossing the line into provocative, and bridal without being matronly.
Many designers specialize in making custom-designed and -tailored gowns for brides, a process that can take up to a year from the initial appointment to the final fitting and alterations. Creating a one-of-a-kind dress can be expensive, but some bridal brands are offering a more affordable alternative with their made-to-order options. These dressmakers spend a good deal of time with each client, helping them select the perfect dress to match their vision for their special day.