Out with the old and in with the new! Say goodbye to the classically simple wedding gowns that have been gracing the altars for the past year. The new trend for 2011 indicates that retro chic is making a comeback. Designer wedding dresses have taken the classic silhouettes and bumped them up a notch with complex decorative lace, beading, flowers, and hand embroidery. The newest batch of brides-to-be is poised to make a splash this spring in some of the boldest dresses we’ve seen in decades. If you missed the last round of runway shows with bridal designs from major fashion houses like Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta, you can indulge your inner fashionista and get the highlights here:
Playing with Proportions
Any bride can have an hourglass figure fit for the silver screen thanks to the 2011 belted wedding dresses. That’s right, designers are accessorizing their gowns this season with jeweled belts that cinch at the waist and are detachable, giving you the option to edit the dress to suit your own style. For those of you with a short torso, ditch the satin belt for a wedding dress designed with an elongated bodice. The lengthening illusion will slim and stretch your silhouette. Popular elongated styles include the mermaid and dropped-waist designs, as seen in the Alvina Valenta runway show.
Va Va Volume!
Be the center of attention in a show-stopping way on your wedding day with a full and textured skirt. The 2011 wedding dress trends include voluminous skirts that add a dynamic element to the gown as you glide down the aisle. Pleats and ruffles are joined by bows and flowers in 3-dimensional tiered masterpieces to ensure that your bridal gown is truly a work of art. The floral embellishments are particularly popular this season, and can be seen not only in skirts, but also sashes, bodices, straps, and seam detailing.
Modern Necklines are a Must
Another signature of the 2011 wedding dresses is their use of unique necklines. The plunging V-neck is back in style for wedding gowns in just about any fabric. Jenny Packham used the V-neck in the spring 2011 collection to create an almost angelic wedding dress in a beautiful cream chiffon. If instead you’re feeling a bit non-traditional, experiment with the asymmetrical single-shoulder bridal gowns. This year is seeing very few of the strapless gowns that have been popular in the past, but brides can still boast a beautiful décolletage with these bold new necklines.
A Novel Color Palette
The 2011 wedding gowns have ventured beyond white and ivory to embrace a few romantically feminine colors. Opt for dresses designed entirely from dyed fabrics, or stick to white gowns with hand detailing in unexpected tones. Muted shades include rose, coral, lilac, and blush, with hues to complement any complexion.
Overall, wedding gowns this season can be described as playfully refined. Women lucky enough to tie the knot in 2011 can enjoy the freedom of these bold and dramatic wedding dresses guaranteed to make any bride feel like one of a kind.
About Sarah Zammit
