5 Bridal Trends Making Our Hearts Flutter This Season
Written By Iris Goldsztajn
For many brides, the first priority for their wedding look (or looks!) is timeless elegance, but for the fashion forward, the real fun lies in marrying that season’s trends with their own classic style. This season, bridal fashion is once again delivering its usual heady mix of romantic details, sharp tailoring and functional elements, and we’re relishing every last moment.
Traditional brides are sure to fall for this year’s take on floral embellishments and corsetry, while the bold may opt for an abundance of sheer fabric or a fashionable dropped waist. We take a look at these, and this year’s other most breathtaking bridal trends.
Sheer Fabrics
Sheer fabrics are everywhere this wedding season, with stunning lacy gowns designed to playfully show some skin — think the ubiquitous red-carpet naked dress, but imbued with bridal grace. While the all-over sheer look seen in the Whisper gown may not be for everyone, you can also choose to show off just a hint of skin with flirtatious sheer elements like in the Evangeline and the Lilith. And those who adore the sheer trend but prefer more coverage can also have it all, with gowns such as the Mariposa and its removable sheer topper. The effect is very Princess Catherine, just a touch more daring.
3D Florals
Flowers are synonymous with weddings of course, but this year the symbol of love is breaking free from bridal bouquets and landing straight onto the most contemporary wedding gowns. 3D florals are omnipresent in the latest bridal collections, with embroideries and embellishments lending an elevated feel to what might otherwise be more streamlined looks. Lace is always a bridal staple, but the gowns we’re seeing now are taking great joy in rethinking the dreamy fabric, crafting embroidered flowers layered with glitter and beads — see the Hermosa and the Mariposa. Elsewhere, the dreamy Venezia and seductive Lilith feature scene-stealing glittered floral embellishments.
Corsetry
Blame Bridgerton or the princess movies of our younger years if you must, but corsetry is one of the most coveted elements in bridal fashion this season. Thanks to their snug fit, corseted busts allow for bridal gowns to play with necklines and sleeveless styles, as seen in Galia Lahav’s lacy Midnight gown and sculptural Dynasty. Meanwhile, the Petal features delicate floral off-the-shoulder straps, and the Venezia comes with fairytale-worthy off-the-shoulder illusion sleeves.
Basque Waists
When Zoë Kravitz walked down the aisle in a dropped-waist gown circa 2019, the look was deeply divisive. More than five years on, we now know for certain that Zoë was simply ahead of her time. Dropped waists are everywhere in fashion this season, and the bridal world is no exception. Our favorite looks highlighting the trend use the dropped waistline to bring in sharp contrasts, whether in fabric or in silhouette. The Leonora pairs a skin-tight sheer lacy bust with a dramatic silk taffeta skirt; the Dynasty’s structured corset bust gives way to a flowing silk skirt; and the Belladonna’s close-fitting corset opens out into a full skirt worthy of a princess — or a movie star.
Transformational Elements
Modern brides don’t want to deal with wardrobe mishaps, discomfort or restricted movements — and nor should they have to. Today, wedding gowns are increasingly offering transformational elements like matching jackets, overskirts, and detachable sleeves. These are designed not only so the bride can actually enjoy her wedding day, but also to allow her to create several wedding looks, all from just one gown. We can’t get enough of removable jackets and boleros and toppers like in our Mariposa and Majestic, nor of removable trains like in our Magnifique. And if it’s a detachable sleeve you’re after, may we suggest the Lilith, the Primavera or the Dynasty?