The Evolution of Mermaid Wedding Dresses

Not long ago a fashion design student specializing in bridal design in London asked me my opinion on the latest trends in bridal fashion. Besides it being nice to be asked, I realized something: I have a pretty unique perspective on what's cutting edge right now. Why? Brides come to me to have a dress custom made when they can't find it anywhere else.

Why do these "gaps" exist between what's coming off the bridal runway and what brides are really looking for? It's due to the timing of the launches. As an example, The Spring 2010 gowns coming out now were actually designed about six months ago, maybe more. The process is time consuming for many reasons: in fact I see another post coming on this topic!

Back to what's hot right now! Brides are getting more daring and want to show off their figures like never before. At the same time, they imagine their wedding dress to have a full or somewhat full skirt. This probably goes back to the iconic "shape" of a wedding dress that we have all had imprinted in our minds since childhood! Enter the redesigned "Mermaid" wedding dress. (Also called "Fit and Flare" and Trumpet.) The Mermaid wedding dress of years past was similar to its namesake in that it was figure-hugging all the way down to the knee, with a sudden "flare" of fabric. The Mermaid of the moment is hip-hugging as well, but the skirt flares at the upper or mid thigh instead. In fact, the line is being blurred between traditional A-line wedding dresses and the "New" mermaid style. This is happening for two reasons: 1) the skirt "flare" can be a more subtle draping of fabric 2) the "flare" can be quite high up on the hip.

Is this the cut for you? The traditional Mermaid cut is quite unforgiving and tends to make brides' rear ends look bigger than they are... Most of us don't need that, so the good news is that the newer styles are much more universally flattering. Moving the "flare" higher up on the hip is especially helpful. This draws less attention to the buttocks and balances out the silhouette in a much more pleasing way. Great news for you fashionista brides out there!

Thinking of an Ivory Wedding Dress? This is for You!

How do you know an ivory wedding dress is the right color for you? Can it be more than a "middle of the road" between pure white and champagne tones? Totally. To answer the first question, think of how pearls look against your skin. Have you always liked the effect? Don't think of the style of pearls which might be too conservative for you: rather, think of the tone itself. Chances are you'll be saying a resounding "yes" if you have olive or creamy skin. Also in the resounding "yes" category are dark-skinned women: especially those with rich brown tones. In this case you may want to consider a rich ivory color, or a gold wedding dress. (See an example in the post below.) Creamy skin also looks nice in ivory, especially a paler shade.

If you have very fair skin you'll probably want to avoid ivory in favor of white. This way your dress will be lighter than your skin tone which is the goal.

There are many shades of ivory with varying levels of color, and varying levels of yellow. If you're shopping for a dress in person, the best way to judge the color is against your skin, and preferably in daylight. If this is not possible in the store, ask for a fabric sample that you can take home. Shopping online? Take the time to request a fabric sample. It's well worth the minor cost if you're serious about the wedding dress in question. Not only for the color, but to judge the texture, shine and overall fabric quality. Use the coupon code FREEFABRIC at our store Custom Couture Bridal for free bridal fabric samples. Enjoy!

Considering a Custom Made Wedding Dress?

If you're considering a custom made wedding dress, here's what to consider first:

• Do you know what will look good on you? If not, consider checking out this guide to wedding dresses that flatter your figure.
• Do you know the terminology? This will help you to communicate with your service provider effectively in their language.
• Are you tempted to copy a designer style? Consider customizing the style rather than making a copy. Reputable designers won't make a replica anyway. Think of your gown as part of your legacy. Do you want took back at your special day and think about how you stole a designer's intellectual property? I'm sure you would you rather think about how you created a totally unique dress that expresses your style and individuality.
• Are you in the process of losing weight? If so, consider a lace-up or corset type closure.
• Think about adding a touch of color. That is part of the beauty of a custom made dress: you are in control! You can use the color to match your bridesmaids, mother, or hubby to be in some way.
• Think about the formality of your wedding. You want the dress to be in synch with the setting, the time of day, the season, etc.
• Make sure the fabric you choose matches the design of the dress. Not all dresses can be made in all fabrics. A good designer should be able to advise you. Looking for lots of movement and flow: chiffon is for you. Thinking traditional and more formal? A satin weave whether made of silk or a poly blend is perfect. Need a light, cool fabric? A taffeta weave is your friend!
  

The Convertible Wedding Dress!

It's funny how little wedding dresses have changed in the last twenty years when you think of how much the rest of fashion has changed. Other types of clothing have changed with changing needs: we have women's suits designed to go from office to evening, there are jeans for almost every possible occasion. Well, time for some innovation in the wedding dress department!

Brides want a dress that will be beautiful AND practical. Elegant yet sexy. Something that gets the point across as to who is the blushing bride, but will also have her new hubby thanking his lucky stars as he catches a glimpse over at her on the dance floor thinking, "My new wife looks HOT!"

Without further ado, I announce the latest creation from Custom Couture Bridal: the convertible wedding dress.


By unzipping the hidden zipper, Voila! You are ready to re-emerge as the ever so styling dance floor diva that you are. You can even wear this dress again in it's short form without having to "sacrifice" the original wedding dress. And, this can be very a very budget-friendly alternative to buying two wedding dresses...!

The Classic Choice: A White Wedding Dress

White wedding dresses are rife with symbolism: purity, virginity, what have you. Clearly today these symbols are less relevant in our society, nevertheless the white dress persists! Why? Is it that brides tend to glow in white? Is it that guests assume the bride will wear white therefore no other woman will wear it, rendering the bride a visible beacon amongst her guests? Maybe it's because many weddings tend to be in the summer and white looks so nice outdoors in the sunlight. Below is a classic white wedding dress complete with romantic pickups and a bubble hem.



Whatever the reason, the vast majority of wedding dresses are still in shades of white and ivory. Some more intrepid brides have chosen other colors, such as a gold or champagne wedding dress (pictured below) or even pink!



Whatever your choice, make sure you don't compromise your fabric for the color you want. The fabric of your dress is incredibly important and needs to "stand on it's own". Don't be afraid to ask for a fabric sample just to be really sure this is what you want. This goes for a white dress too! Happy shopping!