Bridal Gowns by Vera Wang.

For Whom the Bells Toll: Here Come the Bridal Gowns!

How does one justify spending the most money ever on a single item of clothing that’s also the most uncomfortable, restricting, immobilizing, unnaturally embellished and easily stainable item . . . that’ll you only wear ONCE? Yet the role of “the dress” seems to matter more in fulfilling girlhood wedding fantasies than the menu, flowers and guest list combined. (Lest we not forget the groom, of course!) Friends, family and fans of primetime television gather this time of year with anticipation to see what the bride will wear down the aisle. It isn’t necessary to be a bride to delight in bridal fodder. It’s one of the rare occasions fashion still plays a role in something sacred.

Attempting to create a unique and lasting impression can be daunting faced with a sea of beading, embroidery, lace and ruffles. Notions of facile, movie-like gown shopping are just that: notions. Dresses sometimes hang in what look like body bags, one white gown indistinguishable from the next, rack upon rack, like rows of picket fences.

Wedding dresses hang from racks

Building knowledge beforehand about the subtle trends in bridal wear will enable the fashion savvy bride to map her path towards the right choice for her. In the current economic climate even the fiercest Bridezilla is on a budget, but can still score her dream dress inspired by the same details and shapes as designers’ but from less expensive retailers or exceptional deals on pre-owned or wholesale dresses online at eBay. Couture gowns may not be within reach but the aesthetic concept behind them can be affordable.

Vera Wang champagne gown with bow shoulder strap and bow waist. Photo courtesy of Vera Wang

Vera Wang has long been lauded as the industry standard for designer wedding dresses. For her Spring/ Summer 2009 collection she whips up frothy, deconstructed ball gown skirts, loosely wrapped, layered and pleated bodices in soft sheer fabrics, with the addition of casually assembled bows and mismatching shoulder straps.

This delicately disheveled look breaths an effortless, youthful elegance to wedding dresses which have lately been looking overly starched and unnaturally polished. She experiments with color options ranging from champagne to more daring shades of lime green, grey and black. 

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

For simple dresses the devil is in the small, refined details. Lela Rose softens and enhances a classic sweet heart neckline and gray sash gown by wrapping pleated tulle around the gown’s silhouette from top to bottom: adding texture without embellishing fabric. Pearce II Fionda, for affordable retailer Debenhams, uses similar pleats around the bust to create a Grecian inspired gown. Cho Cheng evolves his strapless gown with the inclusion of a detached bustle train and fold over neckline: stylish tailoring is his alternative to fussy detailing.

Strapless gown with sweetheart neckline in wrapped, layers of pleated tulle and grey waist tie by Lela Rose 

On Pearce II Fionda’s bustier, the tailored twist front with a crystal clip is sufficient to decorate the entire dress and render it anything but "plain". On this is a rare occasion where you’ll be watched from behind, details like the twisted straps and simple bow on the open back of the gown by David’s Bridal are subtle but appreciable details for the bride who prefers simplicity over embellishment. 

Pearce II Fionda

Cho Cheng

Pierce II Fionda

David’s Bridal

Nicolas Felizola’s fitted, floor length, strapless gown with embroidered side panel is fitted with one lace sleeve

Some are drawn to the new, some to the subtle and others to the unexpected. Designers are prepared to take you anywhere, with a premium on unique details. Nicolas Felizola adds a single, unexpected long lace sleeve to his fitted, strapless, lace accented gown. This lace look can be achieved by topping a simple gown with a lace bolero. To counterfeit the original concept cut off a single bolero sleeve and attach it with the help of a talented tailor.

An exotic, bejeweled strap like Pearce II Fionda’s asymmetrical version adds flair to an otherwise plain strapless dress. Erin Fetherston throws her signature bubble skirt in with asymmetrical sheer layers: proving that the suggestion of skin can still be both sexy and wedding appropriate. Making unconventional use of traditional wedding gown elements: toying with lace details, straps and tulle skirts in unexpected ways, makes for a truly unique gown. Sharing the thoughts from your imagination with a good tailor could turn an ordinary dress into your extraordinary creation.

Nicolas Felizola

Pearce II Fionda

Pearce II Fionda

Erin Fetherston

For whom the little voice inside cries “This is my day!” there are jaw-dropping gowns to please any crowd. Miami Fashion Week was ablaze with colorful creations like the dreamy rosette covered skirt on the strapless gown by NSB. Veronica de la Canal’s champagne colored creation with a Victorian lace bustier and feathery roesette covered ball gown skirt is a successful fusion of romance with high fashion. Michael Cinco’s jewel encrusted bodice on an ivory fishtail gown with layered taffeta is befitting of the Little Mermaid – if only she’d had the chance!

Veronica de la Canal gown with lace bustier and rosette covered ball gown skirt with train in champagne

Similar silhouettes with fitted or laced bustiers paired with full and floaty skirts can be found affordably from makers like David’s Bridal. Unusual gowns can also be hunted down on websites like eBay with particularly couture-like offerings on hand. 

NSB

Michael Cinco

David’s Bridal

eBay.com

Venexiana’s heavily embellished, princess-like wedding ensemble

For others the message is simple: I want the fairy-tale! It can be achieved through dazzling embellishments and intrinsic princess-like shapes. Venexiana’s gown trickles with gemstones, sequins and embroidery: in a show of taste that demonstrates the fine line between princess, prom queen and pageant contestant. It takes a good eye to pick a similar but affordable option like the dress by Monsoon.

The visually salient approach is the most straightforward: nothing screams princess like a full, tulle tutu-like ball gown skirt. It’s your day - name your fairy-tale! De-emphasize the Disney by choosing unusual accessories like opera length gloves or a feathered hairpiece for a look that’s more sophisticated yet still dramatic.

Monsoon

John Estrada

David’s Bridal

BHS

Other choices include less weighty options, in the form of sheath gowns with a natural drape. Floor length, figure caressing, smooth silhouettes in light satin have an understated elegance. E.Y. Wada’s empire waist gown with flutter sleeves has an innocent quality reminiscent of the Victorian nightgown. Ralph Lauren’s vision with an asymmetrical shoulder strap combination is befitting of fashion’s cutting edge bride.

E.Y. Wada’s innocent creation with fitted bust, empire waist and flutter sleeves

Vera Wang also creates gowns with a natural drape with details like mismatching sleeves that hint at an effortless elegance. Dresses with a similar drape that can be embellished upon are available at retailers such as J Crew and Marks and Spencer.

Ralph Lauren

Vera Wang

J Crew

Marks and Spencer

Bolero, bodice and coat by Vera Mont

Not every bride is alter bound in the traditional sense. For fuss free nuptials at City Hall infuse glamour into an otherwise pragmatic situation with a fitted dress and matching bolero or long suit jacket. Alternately vintage inspired tunics or white cocktail dresses designed to fit into your celebratory plans afterwards, however big or small, are appropriate and a wiser investment for reuse than the typical wedding gown. You may even dye the dress later to wear to the wedding of whoever catches your bouquet.

Kaleidoscope

Vera Mont

Monsoon

Deb E Barbour

To truly capture the spirit of a destination beach wedding consider a dress that’s more island appropriate from experts like Caribbean designers Deb E Barbour, Kimya Glasgow and NSB. There’s no need to go full-on Pamela Anderson in bikini alone, but a lighter dress that prevents a look that’s sweat stained and fatigued is preferable. Rather than dragging a train across a lawn or beach, a toe length hem with a naturally flowing or fishtail shape will catch the breeze nicely as you sink your toes into the sand.

Bandeau bust fish tail dress by Deb E Barbour

A tropical theme permits more exotic and daring shapes such as deeply cut necklines and even the bandeau, bikini-like shape on the dress by Deb E Barbour. More casual cuts go hand in hand with lighter, organic fabrics such as cotton and linen. Traditional details like sash waists are given an organic twist like the natural fiber cummerbund on the dress by Kimya Glasgow. Recognizing a tropical climate as an opportunity rather than limitation will make dress shopping more satisfying.

Kimya Glasgow

NSB

Kimya Glasgow

If the saying goes that “True beauty comes from within”, then the perfect gown is one that reverberates deep inside. Believe that within the jungle of choices there’s a gown calling your name. A dress that reflects the woman that is the bride has no bearing on labels or trends as much as it does her feelings on possibly one of the most felicitous days of her life. The perfect bride is a happy one.

You can submit a question to Miko through the "Ask The Expert" section or contact her directly at  miko@herstoknow.com.