Sleek, strapless gowns dominate bridal designs
It’s “The Dress.” It’s the visual center of a wedding, outshone only by the bride and groom themselves.
Depending on the choice or mood of its wearer, it can be frothy or sleek, have period details or feature avant-garde funkiness. But dominant looks this season are bare-armed styles with fitted bodices and spaghetti straps.
Most period pieces seem to come from 18th- and 19th-century styles, but a draped ivory jersey strapless dress from Kleinfeld Couture goes back even further, recalling ancient Greece. It’s a gently flowing column caught with satin bands under the bosom and at the knees decorated with silk roses.
A French fantasy is an asymmetrical strapless silver dress covered with multiple white mesh gazar squares, also from Kleinfeld Couture. The design makes it seem like the bride is literally floating down the aisle.
A slim, confident bride will look sensational in Amsale’s silk crepe column dress, cut deeply at the back with a cowl and suspended with long spaghetti straps. There’s a beaded and embroidered insert framed by the cowl, and a sweep train trails the full-length skirt.
Another gown from Amsale that has back interest features a bateau neckline on a sleeveless bodice and a deep V-cut backline. The waist is circled with a ribbon of hand-embroidered scrollwork with seed pearls, crystals and French knotting. Soft pleating in the back of this otherwise smooth dress frames a chapel train.
Some brides still prefer the romantic full skirt, like the strapless matte satin with lace trim in a contrasting color from David’s Bridal. This dress has a softly pleated full skirt with a chapel train and comes with a matching shawl. Choose from a variety of color combinations, such as ivory with rum pink embroidery.
The bride with a full figure hasn’t been forgotten. There’s a gently proportioned A-line gown with beaded lace overlay and chapel train, also from David’s Bridal. The dress features spaghetti straps and modest scooping at the neckline and back. A matching headpiece and veil are available.
