2015 Wedding Dress Trends: Lace, Sleeves and Colors Ranging from Ivory to Pewter
It’s that time of year again: Wedding Season! Many women became engaged over the holidays and are beginning the search for probably the most important dress they will ever buy: Their wedding gown.
I have written many articles on wedding gowns over the years. For some basic information on choosing a wedding gown, check out this column.
For tips on finding a wedding gown on a tight budget, you might want to read this.
Now for the current trends. One of the biggest trends this year is still lace. From the tulle ball gown with lace bodice to an all-over romantic or vintage look, all the designers are showing lace again. Laces, like prints or colors, are a very personal preference. You may not like the lace on your mother’s wedding gown but you may love the newer laces; and vice-versa.
Laces come in all sorts of patterns, weights, colors and constructions. Some of them have an old-fashioned floral look to them with roses, daisies and vines. The contemporary laces will have more of a geometric pattern to them. Some are plain, some are beaded. My point is that because you may not like one lace, don’t discount the look all together.
A very popular feature on wedding gowns this season is the lace and illusion back. There are still some corseted gowns being shown, but the sheer back with lace appliqués is by far the most popular this year. Keep in mind that if you are a busty gal, you will want to be able to wear a well-built foundation so make sure your underduds fit under the lines of the gown.
Sleeves are back! You’re going to see less strapless dresses than ones with sleeves this year. Remember that in terms of alterations, it is more practical to add sleeves than to remove sleeves, so be sure you start out with a strapless neckline if that is your preference. Otherwise, you will see cap sleeves, 3/4 length sleeves and even long ones.
The most trendy silhouettes are still the trumpet and the ball gown. The vintage and Grecian looks are still out there, too, so there is always something for everyone. Many of the designers are still showing lots of short and tea length dresses for the more casual weddings, too.
In terms of color, there is a wide variety of ivory, metallic, pewter, blush and two-tone being shown. I’m not seeing as much black and red as last year and Vera Wang -- last year’s “queen of black” -- is only showing white dresses this year.
Now for a word of caution: Please actually go to a bridal salon and try on gowns. Even if you are planning to buy on the Internet, you don’t know what you will look like in that dress until you see it on you.
A wedding gown is the most expensive garment that most women will buy in their lifetime. Why take a chance on getting something that you have not tried on, touched, inspected the construction of, and possibly won’t be able to return?
All that said, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Now, happy wedding-dress shopping!
