Looking for a wedding dress and don’t know where to start? It’s all about finding the best wedding dress style for your body shape. From ball gown and boho wedding dresses to fishtail wedding dresses, here’s your ultimate guide and everything you need to know about wedding dress styles…
Wedding Dress Styles: Your Ultimate Guide
Top Trends for 2020
Next year’s bridal fashion verdicts are officially in: prepare to be dazzled by the new line-up of shapes, hemlines, embellishments, layers, colours and accessories. The Wedding Ideas fashion desk has brought together a hotlist of the key trends fresh off the catwalks in one handy round-up to help style-conscious brides-to-be in your quest for The One. From feathery feels to Studio 54 glamour and frothy tulle ruffles to tailored suits, read on for next season’s most covetable big-day looks…
DISCO: Jumpsuits, fringing and bohemian ease, the 1970s are officially back!
Dig out that mirrorball and unleash your inner Bianca Jagger: for spring 2020, Studio 54-inspired chic is the way to go if your bridal vibe is boho. This free-spirited trend could be seen in the wild fringing at Oscar de la Renta, Charlie Brear and Virgos Lounge, flare-legged jumpsuits at Viktor & Rolf Mariage and Reem Acra and the sequinned maximalism at Naeem Khan and Galvan. Subtler ways to channel the party decade? Drape an embellished kimono over a simple slip, à la Theia.
Pair this fabulous Charlie Brear beaded fringe gown with some chunky metallic heels and feathered earrings to complete the free-spirited and totally elegant 70s look. Groovy baby!
This chic lurex dress by Viktor & Rolfe Mariage features a beautiful drape and neck sash and gorgeous 70s style luxe sleeves, complimented by a sexy split at the front and a flirtatious opening at the back.
MODEST: Keep necklines high and hemlines low with the modern take on Victoriana
Following on from 2019’s RTW prairie-chic trend (see The Vampire’s Wife and Rixo), bridal labels such as Zuhair Murad, Katya Katya and Eisen Stein have taken the covered-up look one step further, with ruffled Victorian-era necklines, long, fitted sleeves, and even longer, flowing skirts. For extra sartorial points, serve up this demure period-inspired look with sheer layers and lashings of peekaboo lace.
Though high-necked and floor-length, this graceful Eisen Stein number is figure-hugging, sheer and with lashings of lace and chiffon, is a sexy, modern take on the Victoriana trend.
Micro-trend: Tailored Trousers
Co-ords or clash? You decide. We heart this subversively chic look.
These gorgeous Ralph and Russo tailored troos will take you from wedding day, to dancing the night away in the most elegant and modern way possible.
Feathered Gowns: Even a simple flourish of this touchy-feely texture adds dram to a bridal entrance
Whether you’ve got the chutzpah to rock a full-on, marabou-look midi (see Oscar de la Renta) or prefer to keep the fluffy stuff as a simple cuff trim (Berta) or hemline highlight (Pronovias), there’s no denying that the big-day feathers movement is going nowhere. As the soft-touch embellishments reinforce their place in high-end bridal fashion for next season, they’re becoming more versatile: find them to everything from shoulder straps to mini skirts.
Float down the aisle in this fabulous feathered fantasy by Oscar de la Renta. If you’re looking for extravagance and elegance combined, a fluffy look is definitely the way to go.
Ball Gown Wedding Dresses
The most traditional of the wedding dresses, the ball gown provides the ultimate classic bridal look and a choice shape for brides with a straight body shape – a fuller skirt will give the illusion of wider hips if you have an athletic frame. With layers of fabric descending in a beautiful bell shape and brought together with a tight bodice, this is ‘the’ style for brides picturing the traditional fairytale wedding!
Reem Acra‘s signature blend of tradition and trend is perfectly demonstrated in these two show-stopping dresses. The full magnificent full skirts paired with the delicate tight-bodices of these ballgown dresses are truly a fairytale dream come true.
RELATED: Eager for more princess-worthy gowns? The Jude Jowilson bridal collection for 2020 features some gorgeously classic ball-gown style dresses.
Boho Wedding Dresses
Loose, relaxed, and covered in lace, bohemian style dresses are the new go to style for a lot of summer weddings or weddings overseas. Perfect for creating an effortless, laid back, and free spirited look, bridal names are adapting a new found approach to designing – think white dresses with a touch of bridal!
Totally flattering and easy to wear, these Grace Loves Lace dresses are the ultimate in boho chic. Elegant and yet still free and easy, and with a hint of high fashion they are the perfect blend for a laid-back, ultra-stylish bridal look Would wear again!
RELATED: Want more Boho? The Grace Loves Lace Capsule collection will definitely satisfy your relaxed bridal style!
Coloured/Tinted Dresses
A new trend on the block coloured dresses are proving far more popular than we anticipated, offering modern brides the chance to express their individuality for a ultra special occasion without taking away from the most flattering styles. Colour tints in champagne, dusky blue, blush, and even red have graced catwalks of some of the most prestigious bridal designers for collection of 2017/18. You might find this selection a refreshing change from the impracticality of white!
This beautiful pink blush number from David’s Bridal offers a refreshing take on a classic ballgown bridal dress. The traditional shape and delicate colour are elegant with just a little bit of extra sass. Perfect for a bride looking for something out of the ordinary.
Column Wedding Dresses
The column fit follows your body’s natural shape, soft fitting and minimalistic for a more casual approach to the bridal look. This type of dress is perfect for petite brides who don’t want to drown in too many bulky layers – you still want your figure to look defined. These styles are often a little more understated but still bang on trend in line with more relaxed boho styles.
This gorgeous True Bride is refined, classic and yet oh so modern, as well as being flattering on curves without being OTT.
Related: Can’t decide what style to go for? Take a look at our handy guide to choosing the right dress for your shape…
Fishtail Wedding Dresses
Fit and flare dresses are a real winner for pear shape silhouettes or the hour glass figure! Something fitted all the way down to just above your knees will hug your curves and highlight the smallest part of your body – your waist. Otherwise known as the mermaid or fishtail dress because of the dramatic whimsical fanned skirt, choose from a wealth of necklines to complement your bust and frame.
Embroidered Wedding Dresses
If you find yourself longing for a strapless style or something ultra sexy and a little more daring – illusion dresses have really taken a turn towards this trend in the last few years. Fashion-forward illusional necklines and backs combine with shear yet sophisticated fabrics, layers and overlays. This is where embellishments really come into their own!
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