Watch Out: How Women's Wedding Dresses Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It

Trends in Women's Wedding Dresses

The wedding dress is an emblem of marriage, love and pure. It also relates to identity as women acquire and reclaim identities by choosing their wedding dress.

Check out how designers have interpreted bridal gowns throughout the decades from Sophia Bush of One Tree Hill to Riccardo Tisci, who was the former Givenchy creative Director.

The '50s

Following the war, women looked to Hollywood icons for ideas about their wedding gowns. Rather than consulting their local dressmaker, they shopped for the perfect gown in high fashion bridal salons and department stores. Bridal shows were also created to allow brides to be to view the latest designs before making their purchases.

The dresses were typically big and voluminous. The dresses had a rounded silhouette with lots of lace, and a fitted bodice flowing into the full length skirt. The style was often paired up with a peplum-style waistline. Brides opted for an open belt as a way to cinch their waists. Many brides wore a birdcage veil to complete their appearance.

Lace was very popular in the '50s, and could be found on everything from gloves gowns to. For those who wanted an elegant look, a sweetheart neckline with sleeves was a popular choice. Some even had the top of their neckline covered with sheer fabric to conceal their necks. The floral options were quite diverse. Elizabeth Taylor opted for yellow daffodils and tulips, while Jackie Kennedy chose white and pink orchids, paired with gardenia. The majority of the time, these flowers were tied in a small white satin bow.

The 1960s

In the '60s, there wasn't an overarching style in fashion and, consequently, dresses were more flexible than ever. Some brides chose tight gowns, inspired by models such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton. Some women chose different styles, ranging from chiffon with psychedelic designs to velvet minis. Some were long while others sat just below the knees, also known as micro-minis.

There was no single bridal dress style However, there were some crucial moments that would define the bridal gown's style for decades to come. For example princess Diana was a master of the "more is more" look when she was married in 1981 wearing massive taffeta dresses with a poufy shoulder and a lace V-neck. The dress she wore was the stuff of legends and was a major influence on brides everywhere.

In the same decade, rock singer Lulu made her debut in a white mini dress that had an exaggerated hood that instantly became a fashion icon. This was the decade when the ready-to-wear clothing industry took off and brides wore the best quality materials that their families' money could buy for their wedding day. These dresses were paired with silver accessories and slicked back hair to create the perfect bridal appearance.

The 1970s

The '70s brought the era of hippie chic wedding gowns. These included flowing designs with loose silhouettes and a relaxed style that were a statement of individuality. In NICEOO , a lot of brides opted to wear gowns that were not white as a way to break from the traditional bridal norms.

It was the first time in history that brides wore a color other than white for the wedding ceremony. Queen Victoria introduced this idea. Women wore their best gowns for the wedding regardless of whether it was pink or blue.

Seventies designers incorporated the hippy style into high fashion with a focus on handmade materials and the finer details. Crochet, embroidery, patchwork and other techniques were in fashion. Repurposed craft fair fabric with embroidery were also in style. The midi dress became popular as a wedding dress in the '70s. These dresses combined casual comfort and formal elegance as shown in the silk creations of Zandra Rhodes.

Another noteworthy trend was the lacing-up bodice. This feature was often used to emphasize the area around the bust, as it gave a more attractive and sensual appearance. It was also reminiscent of Victorian styles, as shown on the custom David Emmanuel dress worn by Marian Rivera for her wedding to actor Dingdong Dante in 1981.

The 1980s

When Queen Victoria was married to Prince Albert in 1840, the bridal style changed completely. Wearing white was seen as a sign of wealth and a glaring display of consumerism prior to that, as it was hard to keep formal clothes white after wearing it (Baird 142). It wasn't until the wedding of Victoria that the dress became the norm for brides who weren't royal. The bride chose white to show off the intricate lacework on her gown but it was also a practical choice. She wanted to show her subjects that she was a shrewd and responsible young woman who could be trusted to perform the role of a queen mother and wife.

The 1930s saw a return to simplicity, as brides sought dresses that were practical as well as fashionable. Due to budgetary and rationing restrictions, brides often wore the dress they already owned on their wedding day. Silk dresses with high necklines with long sleeves, a high neckline were in style for those who could afford them. For those who couldn't, the brides would employ rayon to create a similar style.

In the 1970s, brides opted for column-style gowns rather than their big ball gowns. The sleeves grew longer, and some brides chose gowns with puffy elbows. The hemlines of skirts were reduced and many women changed their veils for sophisticated hats.

The 90s

The 1990s brought a new sense of minimalism, embraced by brides seeking an uncluttered gown that allowed their natural beauty and radiance to shine through. In this time, gowns were simple and unadorned but still elegant due to their elegant designs.

The decade witnessed an increase in formality following the austerity of wartime, with gowns sporting cathedral trains and puffed sleeves. Princess Diana's 1981 wedding dress, which included lacing and a train that was 24 feet long, was a major inspiration.

Sleeves were long, fluffy, and necklines were high. The hippy period also saw a revival of strapless dresses, as intricate details like embroidery and beading have made a comeback. Hairstyles included pixies and teased bouffants, inspired by British model Twiggy and heavy black eyeliner pink frosted lipstick and teased hairstyles.

The '90s ushered in an era of nostalgia, which created the timeless wedding dresses we are accustomed to today. These gowns are timeless and well-loved because they have a style that's both traditional and completely modern. Lulus collection offers a variety of wedding dresses that feature '90s-inspired silhouettes. Find the perfect dress today!

The 2000s

In the '00s, brides went for dresses that fitted and accentuated their curves. One of the most influential influences came from Kate Middleton and her Alexander McQueen gown that had an lace bodice that was padded hips and a 25-foot train and a stunning tulle skirt with huge puff sleeves that remain popular today.

As the decade went on as the decade progressed, more and more brides began to abandon white and opt for a variety of hues for their big day. Even if it was just an accent of colour in their bridal shoes or a floral hair crown, non-white gowns became all the rage as more and more couples started opting for smaller weddings that had less extravagant decorations.

One of the major trends of the decade was the use of illusion fabric to create a sheer effect in wedding dresses. This trend is still in use as designers incorporate this stunning element to their designs. Bows were also a common feature during this decade, ranging from small, cute bows to huge, embellished ones. Many brides still enjoy the addition of bows to their appearance. Another trend is the addition of capes and trains. They are typically removable and can completely change the appearance and feel.

The 21st Century

The 21st century has brought into a new era of nontraditional wedding dresses. From the likes of businesswoman Olivia Palermo going full-Carrie Bradshaw with her Carolina Herrera lace skirt to reality TV star Whitney Port's custom floral tulle dress, brides of today are not afraid to go bold.

In contrast to the '80s, where Dior's cinched waists and princess-line gowns had an impact, the 90s were a time of more relaxed wedding dress. Designer Vera Wang started her first bridal boutique with strapless, figure-hugging dresses that were perfect for the ultimate modern bride. They also looked great with slicked-back hairstyles.

In the 1940s, production of silk was restricted by restrictions during wartime. Brides were dressed in Sunday clothes or altered versions of their husband's suits. This was in keeping with the "make-do and mend" attitude of the time. Since silk was replaced by rayon, brides started to wear patterned fabrics and colours, especially red, which represented romance and love.

In recent times, A-listers have blurred the lines between wedding gowns and catwalk couture with designers such as Alexander Wang and Virgil Abloh designing wedding dresses that evoke traditional white but are decidedly more modern. With laws changing to allow gay marriages and a growing awareness of the concept of feminism, the bride today can pick anything she likes for her wedding.

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Pub: 21 Nov 2023 06:55 UTC
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