Fashion is always about change. So, every season there’s something new to talk about. For the past few years, the emphasis in bridal fashion has been on the skirt. But look a little higher! Today, there are interesting designs with detail well above the skirt. Check out the bodices of the new bridal and bridemaids dresses! Black has been the predominant colour in bridesmaid dresses for a few seasons. This may be because thoughtful brides often invite their attendants to wear their own black dress in their most figure-flattering style.
Sometimes a brave designer will flirt with showing a few bridal gowns in colour – and, while often beautiful, they almost always produce few sales. A few years ago, Vera Wang introduced red in her bridal line. This was a business decision that may have paid off because her line was becoming available in China, where the traditional wedding colour is red. Wang also flirted with black a few years ago, which was very sophisticated – but brides weren’t interested. Women are still married to white as the wedding colour, while their bridesmaids shine in colour or an interesting neutral such as taupe or black.
It is interesting to watch the introduction of flattering new lines in terms of style. Even though designers have been introducing beautiful and creative bodices for the last couple of seasons, brides and often bridesmaids still settle for the inevitable strapless. (For positive proof, watch the current bridal television shows such as Say Yes To The Dress and notice that the bride and her entourage inevitably choose the strapless dress.) Nevertheless, lately we’re seeing, from the top designers, much more emphasis on the bodice instead of all the emphasis focussing on the skirt.
From left: Dessy Collection styles 2937, 2940, 2941
From left: The After Six bridesmaid collection styles 6727, 6728, 6731
Originally published in Today’s Bride magazine, Fall/Winter 2015.
