The Latest Trends in Bridal Fashion

When choosing her bridal gown, every bride wants the same thing: to look her best on her special day. Most brides feel that only the traditional white gown, with long flowing trains and a sparking tiara, will do. Still, fashion is a revolving door of changing styles with numerous details that make each dress special and unique.

The lovely new dresses spotlighted on the runways for the spring and fall highlighted many new trends. Off-the-shoulder necklines were one of the romantic looks featured by different designers. A Grecian-inspired gown by Marchesa with an A-line silk chiffon skirt and lace trim was one of the beautiful gowns. Carolina Herrera designed a lovely off-the-shoulder gown with a lace bodice and three-quarter-length lace sleeves. Both dresses have slim bodices with flowing skirts.

Color is an important trend for 2015 bridal gowns. Monique Lhuillier dramatized color in her collection by using lavender, pink, mint, pistachio, rose gold, blush and even black as well as traditional white, ivory and cream. One dress was a pale pink sleeveless gown with a draped bodice and back. Another Lhuillier gown was pale mint tulle with a sweetheart neckline, tiered skirt and draped bodice. One Theia innovation was a spruce-printed A-line dress with a sleeveless lace bodice and transparent skirt.

Tulle was the fabric of choice for skirts that ranged from full overskirts to layered tulle skirts. Cristos showed a blush tulle ball gown with a layered tulle skirt and miniature floral details. Vera Wang presented a minimal dress with a plunging back, V-neckline, wide straps and a touch of tulle overskirt.

Several innovators dramatized their designs by adding capes. Naeem Khan used silver honeycomb to bead a full-length cape with three layers of ostrich feather trim. Another of her fabulous capes featured beaded organza shown over an A-line organza dress with a high sleeveless neckline. Angel Sanchez created both a jewel-back cape and a full-length cover-up cape in his collection.

High necklines with collars turn the wedding dress into a regal gown that flatters everyone. Galia Lahav’s “Florentina” is an evocation of chic. Her belted halter dress has a heavy lace collar, thin chiffon sleeves with tiny button trim and heavy lace cuffs that repeat lace in the collar. Wtoo designed a tulle wedding dress with an illusion high neckline and short sleeves emphasized by lace details.

Jenny Packham, winner of the 2015 British Bridal Designer of the Year, showed innovative use of sparkle. Her designs were quietly understated, but lavishly decorated with crystals and beading to capture glamour of the ’30s. She adds both sashes and empire waists to her floor-length designs in crepe, tulle and chiffon.

For the destination wedding, designers created breezy wedding dresses for a romp on the beach. Theia presented a gown with a crop top and a full skirt while Reem Acra exhibited crop tops with slender skirts. Oscar de la Renta created a beautiful bikini in cotton eyelet with a matching overskirt to be worn by the barefoot bride.

Fall trends include fringe and feathers. The short fringed dresses offer freedom of movement and are lovely party dresses for the reception. Theia showed a sleeveless V-neck sheath wedding dress with fringe covering the entire dress while Hayley Paige created a two-piece crop-top look with fringe covering the bare midriff and finished with a slim sheath.

Metallic was popular with designers who did not limit themselves to gold, silver and bronze. Johanna Johnson presented a knee-length metallic dress with short sleeves and a scooped neckline. The neckline, sleeves and hem were trimmed with metallic bands but the waistline was touched with a lighter trim.

Cutouts, whether at the waist, bodice or skirt, were shown by Reem Acra, Angel Sanchez, Christos Costarellos and several more. Several designers made pants, rompers and jumpsuits for the bride to wear at her wedding. Victoria Kyriakides created a two-piece silk pantsuit with a long-sleeved jacket and tailored pants. The ensemble includes a floor-length train.

Sheer skirts or translucent overlays on both long and short dresses are another trend for this year. Liancarlo’s strapless lace sheath with a sweetheart neckline and lace over a sheer skirt was one such gown. Gemy Maalouf’s sleeveless lace and tulle short gown with a long, sheer skirt and deep V-neckline was a different interpretation. Pronovias’ daring illusion lace and tulle mermaid dress left little to the imagination!

For the traditionalist, full-skirted dresses abounded. Oscar de la Renta created a stunning ball gown with silver threadwork embroidery over a flowing full-length skirt. Vera Wang wowed with a draped sweetheart bodice and full tulle skirt with lace details worn with boots or men’s- wear oxfords. Carolina Herrera’s understated charm lies in the details of her slim skirts and intricate lace detailing.

The discerning bride will choose a gown that reflects her personality for her wedding day. Whether she chooses a daring gown, a glamorous one with a hint of sexy or a traditional gown, the choice is hers and hers alone. It’s her special day.

Sources: brides.com, theknot.com.