Wedding dresses—and the women who wear them—aren’t what they used to be. Some brides opt for short, mid-calf length dresses and don a worn pair of Converses instead of strappy heels. Others ditch white and opt for dramatic, bold colors. Some forgo dresses all together and choose a pant suit or jeans. But many still dream of luxurious gowns with details that reflect their personalities and taste, and fashion designers are responding to the demand with new twists on old faithfuls.
“For many women, it’s the most grand, fabulous piece of clothing she’ll get to wear in her life,” says Michelle Depoali, owner of Reno bridal salon Swoon. “Real designers are dedicating collections to bridal designs. So women have more ‘high fashion’ options to choose from rather than just a standard dress.”
Even so, she says brides are looking for dresses that offer comfort and customizability. “Many brides are tired of the simple strapless look, but it’s easy to add sleeves or splashes of color. Cap sleeves that create a square neckline are really flattering.”
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According to Depoali, some designs that push the envelope are too much for brides who prefer a simpler patterns and colors, but provide ideas for how to spice up traditional ensembles. Fashion designer Vera Wang featured black dresses in her spring 2012 bridal collection. While Depoali says no one has ever requested a full-on black dress, the idea isn’t far-fetched.
“For most women, all black or red dresses are too much, but they may add a black lace overlay onto a bodice, or wear hot pink heels underneath,” she says.
Subtle colors, like blush or light greens and blues, are a safer option for some brides who want to branch out without taking away the impact of wearing an iconic light-colored dress. According to Depoali, brides who like the boldness of black or bright colors choose to incorporate dramatic and unique accessories into their ensemble through details. Off-the-rack dresses can be customized and tailored to suit different styles. For instance, a brown or black sash can be added to the waist of an off-white or light pink dress, or the bottom of a long-sleeved lace gown can be hemmed to the knee.
Wedding photography, too, has changed the way brides choose a dress. Professional, modern cameras better pick up the patterns, textures and miniscule details, which allow women to seek out a dress with interesting features that can be seen in person on the big day and in a wedding album in five years.
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“Wedding photography really has changed in the past 20 years,” said Depoali. “Women want details that they normally wouldn’t have looked for.”
Depoali says that many women who have visited her store are looking for vintage and old Hollywood style dresses, and are seeking blush-colored dresses and bird-cage veils. She has also gotten many requests for classic, regal gowns after the highly publicized marriage of Prince Harry and Kate Middleton.
“Our society has this obsession with weddings, and it spills over with celebrity culture,” she says.
Brides are also looking for ways to get more use out of their wedding dresses. Many dresses can be shortened or dyed to be worn again as cocktail dresses.
“When they invest in a dress, they want to have an opportunity to wear it again,” Depoali says. “Finding something comfortable and stylish that suits their personality is a priority.”