Seeking a fashion-forward yet super-wearable bridal look? Be inspired by these fresh-from-the-runway trends
If you don't have a clue what kind of dress you'd like to wear down the aisle, the runway can offer up inspiration aplenty. To give you a helping hand, we've scouted the latest bridal collections for some of this season's most wearable trends and spoken with some local bridal experts to get their take. Here are our favourite five looks.1. Sidestep white Who says you have to go for white just because you're a bride? Designers are always tweaking tones and experimenting with new shades but the latest collections were even bolder than usual. Vera Wang didn't even show one white dress this season! Instead her frothy, otherworldly gowns came in yellow, red, beige and lilac.
But don't worry - you don't have to go that extreme to embrace this trend. "I love the natural hue of a blush pink dress or the warmth of a champagne number. This is so much more flattering on most skin tones than a stark white, and enables the bride to have a more individual look," says Amanda of Amanda K Bridal Boutique (
amandakbridal.co.uk). "We have been stocking colour for some time now with our most popular being ivory," she adds.
If you're feeling brave you could take things a step further and try on a bolder colour à la Vera Wang. Brighter pinks make for a sweet style or why not try baby blue for a cool look? Alternatively, you can stick with a classic white dress and add pops of colour elsewhere - think statement shoes, a vibrant flower crown or colourful jewels.
Jenny Packham, The Bridal House of Cornwall
Willowby by Watters, The Bridal Room St Ives
Temperley London
Chantel Lauren, The Bridal Room St Ives
Wendy Makin, The Bridal Studio
2. Don a capeBored by veils? Why not try a cape instead? They have all the drama and extravagance of a veil with a fresh, modern edge - what's not to love? We were particularly enamoured with the full-length sheer and sequin numbers at Elie Saab. "We saw so many capes at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week and some were so glamorous and beaded on the shoulders. I personally love a decadent cape," says Amanda.
Temperley London
Jenny Packham, The Bridal House of Cornwall
Theia
3. Keep it simple
The latest Royal Wedding is bound to inspire brides up and down the country and the main fashion takeaway from Meghan's look? Simplicity reigns! "A simple, beautiful dress when accessorised can create more of an impact," says Tiffany of The Bridal Room St Ives (
thebridalroomstives.co.uk).
Meghan clearly subscribes to this idea as she teamed her bespoke white silk Givenchy wedding dress with a decadent 15ft embroidered veil and a diamond tiara borrowed from the Queen. Finished with a pair of diamond studs and a sparkly bracelet, the end look was the perfect balance between chic and classic. For royal vibes on your big day do like Meghan and opt for a simple, classic gown accessorised to perfection.
Catherine Deane, The Bridal House of Cornwall
Jenny Packham, The Bridal House of Cornwall
Sassi Holford, The Bridal Room St Ives
Jesus Peiro, The Bridal Room St Ives
Rosa Clara, The Bridal House of Cornwall
4. Ditch the dress Maybe you'd rather not wear a dress at all. It's a bold move, but one which is gaining popularity with brides seeking a more modern look. "I'm loving separates and the ability to mix and match to create a bespoke look," says Tiffany. And on the runway? It's all about the jumpsuits. "I love a fashion-forward jumpsuit for its comfort factor, and it can look sophisticated, especially if teamed with a large floppy hat as worn by Amal Clooney for her wedding to George," says Amanda.
Designers have flirted with this look in the past, but this season the style really took off. We love the sleek off-the-shoulder designs at Theia - particularly this gorgeous floral lace number - while Catherine Deane's stunning Jessica body suit looks equally wow-worthy teamed with a chic pair of trousers as a full tulle skirt.
Catherine Deane, The Bridal House of Cornwall
Theia
Theia
Theia
5. Embrace texture Texture is an easy element you can use to alter the entire look of your dress. "Whether it's spots, stripes or a beautiful fabric - adding texture is a real modern twist on a wedding dress," says Tiffany.
We love the cascade of sequins on this exquisite gown by Jenny Packham, while this fabulous frock by Luna Novias offers up texture aplenty in pairing spots and floral lace. This brightly embroidered dress at Temperley London would be the perfect choice for a modern boho bride and if you're after a modern take on florals, we couldn't get enough of the stunning 3D petal details at Viktor & Rolf. The upshot? Have some fun with texture when you go wedding dress shopping!
Jenny Packham, The Bridal House of Cornwall
Luna Novias, The Bridal Studio
Jenny Packham, The Bridal House of Cornwall
Jesus Peiro, The Bridal Room St Ives
Sassi Holford, The Bridal Room St Ives
words Abby Driver
Copyright Wed magazine 2018