Request Newsletter | Bridal Online Website | Return To Main Page

Marriage & Wedding Information


The Wedding Dress Revealed


Fashion Trends and Popular Styles and Colors

The Wedding Dress - How did it all begin?

Did you ever wonder how the tradition of wearing a wedding dress came about? Wedding dresses have been worn by brides young and old alike for centuries. In modern times almost anything passes for a wedding dress however, in times of old, traditional wedding dresses were flowing gowns usually white in color.

White is usually accepted as the "traditional" color of gowns, and many designer wedding gowns are still fashioned in this color, representing the "purity" and "innocence" of the bride to be. Many women opt for other colors, including blue, pink, cream, yellow and more.

Wedding dresses have changed with time much as everything in the world has. In times of old most women selected a gown based on her financial status. Women who were at an economic disadvantage usually did not have the luxury of selecting an extraordinary gown that would be worn only once. Rather, most selected something more "plain" that could be worn for church services and other occasions after their blessed day.

Wedding gowns of varying styles and colors were popular among the elite, and by and large represented the unique style and personality of the bride to be, as well as modern trends at the time.

Popular Colors

An old poem states about the color of a wedding dress that "Married in white, you will have chosen all right." This is not to say that all brides historically have chosen white for their wedding gown. In fact, many brides chose colors including blue, pearl and even black. Many brides believed that if they wore blue their husbands would remain true to them (also a famous line in the wedding poem). Pink was even a popular wedding gown color for a time, though its darker variant, red was often considered taboo because it was associated with "scarlet women".

Many women who did not have a large budget to spend on a wedding dress in times of old opted for fashions that could be worn any day, rather than solely on their wedding day. For their wedding day, they would dress up their gown with accessories and flowers, even bows that could be removed after the festivities.

Wedding Gown Fashion

In the United States for a short spell the color white fell out of favor, but around the time of the Industrial Revolution, when the department store made it possible for a bride with any budget to purchase the gown of her dreams, white once again became the fashion. The style worn by women has changed through time.

Wedding dresses fashioned during the Roaring twenties were very different from those that came about in the thirties. In the twenties, women sought out gowns that de-emphasized their shape, in line with the style of the flappers that was trendy at the time.

During the 30's most women emphasized their shape and wore gowns that highlighted their waists and bosoms. Perhaps the most interesting period of time for the wedding gown was during the 1980s, when big puffy sleeves and extravagant skirts were worn by a majority of women. These gowns, while well suited for trim and petite women, often were not the most flattering choice for the average size woman. Despite this, gowns did not trim down again until the mid to late 1990s.

Wedding Gown Fashion Today

As mentioned at the start, almost anything passes for a wedding dress today. More and more women are buying a wedding dress online, because of the wide variety and selection of unique and custom made gowns available.

Informal wedding dresses, designer wedding dresses and even discount wedding dresses can all be found online thanks to modern technology. More popular than even designer wedding dresses are discount bridal gowns online. Most brides to be can purchase extravagant looking, custom made gowns for a fraction of the cost they would find them in a department store.

Another benefit of buying a wedding dress online is convenience. With so many things to plan for a wedding (location, cake, reception, flowers, invitations, rehearsal dinner etc.etc) most women appreciate having a handy resource for buying their wedding dress. Most women also find a wider selection of sizes and custom features available when they shop online vs. when they shop in a traditional store.

Trends

Trends have changed when it comes to modern wedding attire. No longer do all brides seek out a traditional white gown for their special occasion. In fact, there is a huge selection of vintage and informal wedding dresses available, many of which don't even look like official wedding gowns.

Most dresses today focus on the unique personality of the bride rather than socially accepted "norms" when it comes to buying a wedding dress. In general many brides are looking for wedding gowns that are narrower than they have been in times of old, and those that offer clean silhouettes. These types of dresses usually lengthen the body and provide a slimming effect. Some more popular trends include the following:

  • A-line dresses that are long and slimming
  • Sheaths with trains built into the silhouette, so that it trails behind the bride
  • Bias-cut wedding gowns that follow the natural curves of the body, ending in a small flare at the bottom
  • Raised waistline ball-gown styles
  • Square necklines that provide a fresh open look
  • Off the shoulder dresses providing a full neckline
  • Sleeveless or cap sleeve gowns which are especially popular for summer brides
  • Empire waists which elongate the figure and shift the focus upward

Trends are also apparent with regard to fabrics. Satin and silk gowns have long been popular, though sheer fabrics are also becoming more trendy, including chiffon and organzas. Embroidery is also replacing lace for many modern gowns, and some brides are opting to accent their dresses with pearls and other quality beads.

No matter what style gown you choose, the most important thing is that you select one that makes you look good, feel good and happy on the most important day of your life. You're sure to find a superb selection when shopping online.

About The Author:
Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as wedding gowns and dresses, wedding dress shopping, and designer wedding dresses.


MORE RESOURCES:

Certified Vacations Group, Inc. & CaribbeanWeddings.Com Announce ...
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
Under terms of the partnership, Certified Vacations will launch a new CaribbeanWeddings.com brand offering complete travel and destination wedding planning ...


Gay Rights Protest Planned For Gov. Crist's Wedding
Tampa Tribune, FL - 1 hour ago
Charlie Crist's wedding to Carole Rome this month. The group Impact-Florida has called on its members to gather in pink T-shirts outside First United ...
Group Plans To Protest Crist's Wedding CBS 4
Gay rights group to protest at Crist's wedding WWSB ABC 7
Gay Rights Group To Protest At Crist's Wedding Central Florida News 13|
Tampabay.com - Palm Beach Post
all 24 news articles


Discounts, New Client Specials at Lather Hair Salon Grand Opening
MarketWatch - 6 hours ago
RALEIGH, NC, Dec 01, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Lather Hair Salon, a premiere full service salon specializing in on-location wedding designs and total ...


San Jose's landmark glass rotunda draws all kinds of crowds
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 10 hours ago
By John Woolfolk The rotunda at San Jose's City Hall, which is often rented out for weddings and other private events, is readied for a wedding reception ...


Chicago Sun-Times

Wedding day marks couples' first kiss
ABC15.com (KNXV-TV), AZ - 5 hours ago
When Melody LaLuz and Claudaniel Fabien stood and faced each other on the altar over the weekend, the blushing bride and new groom shared more than wedding ...
Now you may kiss the bride Chicago Sun-Times
Jockstrip: The world as we know it. United Press International
Chicago couple wait for first kiss at the altar The Associated Press
Chicago Tribune - Chicago Sun-Times
all 283 news articles


Finding a Great Wedding Photographer
American Chronicle, CA - 4 hours ago
Surely you have heard this expression before and it is never more true than at a wedding. The pictures are the permanent record of the celebration that is ...


E! Online

No wedding bells for Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr
Examiner.com - 8 hours ago
by Jennifer Lewis, Los Angeles Celebrity Examiner On Sunday, the Australian newspaper The Sunday Telegraph reported that the two had got engaged and were ...
Orlando Bloom & Miranda Kerr not engaged RTE.ie
Report: Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr set to marry ChattahBox
Orlando Bloom: I’m not engaged to Miranda Kerr Now Magazine Online
Los Angeles Times - Boston Herald
all 98 news articles


BBC News

Wedding wings of love for couple
BBC News, UK - Nov 30, 2008
A couple in Greater Manchester had a wedding with a difference when the rings were flown in by a special guest. Fudge the barn owl flew onto the arm of ...
Owl makes the wedding day Manchester Evening News
all 2 news articles


Wedding Paper Divas Offers Chance to Win Free Wedding Invitations ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 13 hours ago
Wedding Paper Divas (www.weddingpaperdivas.com), a leading online retailer of premium, customizable wedding stationery, announced today the launch of its ...


Now Magazine Online

Naomi’s rep denies wedding to Russian billionaire
Screen Weekly, India - 13 hours ago
Claims of the model planning a small, low-key wedding, with just close friends and family surfaced especially after she asked them to keep themselves free ...
Naomi Campbell dismisses Russian wedding reports Catwalk Queen
NAOMI CAMPBELL - CAMPBELL 'NOT PLANNING RUSSIAN WEDDING' Contactmusic.com
Naomi's PDA of leaves crowd gagging Times of India
Now Magazine Online - Mirror.co.uk
all 25 news articles

Wedding - Google News

home | site map

Site Map | Site Map | Links

© 2006