There is quite a trend lately back toward the off the shoulder wedding gown. These dresses usually have a bodice cut straight across the bust just like a 1950s prom dress. This style looks great in ivory or cream colors as it sharpens the sharp line of the cut of this style of dress. The waist is usually cinched and the skirt is usually fairly A line or cut on the bias in some way.
You even see versions of this prom style dress in off beat colors that remind you a night out in New York society such as mustard or fuschia. The snow-white version is very unusual looking with an almost Disney like flair to it. The back is sometimes finished with a nice fat bow in the back or a bustle of fabric flowers that also serves to hold a train. Sometimes you will see that fairy tale princess touch where ribbons hold up a filmy overskirt in bunches at about the level of the mid calf.
So where does this 1950s influence come from this past year? It is probably the influence of musicals like High School Musical and the movie Hairspray.
For the softest most contemporary look get this dress in a silk with a soft imprinted pattern or even a taffeta. To avoid having this style look too much like a prom dress then you should avoid wearing in light pink, lipstick red, mint or light blue colors. Also the more expensive the fabric and the less shiny it is, the less this style will look like it was meant for the prom.
According to an article in the Post Journal of Jamestown the trend now is to have two wedding dresses instead of just one. Celebrities who have already done this in 2007 include Avril Lavigne and Melania Trump. Both wore one designer’s look for the wedding and a different actual wedding gown for the reception. In Trump’s case for example it was Vera Wang and Christian Door.
You could say this is for the bride who just can’t decide on what look is best for her. For instance you may torn between looking like a Renaissance bride with long flowing hair and an empire waist gown and a sixties bride in a white mini with a hair band and go go boots. Now you can do both wedding dress looks and simply wear one during the ceremony and another at your reception…
This is a good option for the bride who has chosen an uncomfortable formal looking dress. Do you remember the ridiculous heavy drapes and ten pound head crown worn by Celine Dion at her wedding? Now there is a woman who could have used a more comfortable dress for her reception.
Wearing a second wedding dress to your reception is also a good idea if you find yourself wearing your grandmother’s antique dress and you don’t want to damage it by spilling cake or tea on it.
Of course this idea is prohibitive for those on a budget and who just can’t afford two wedding dresses. However if this trend continues it might just start being possible to actually rent a costume wedding dress for your ceremony and then wearing your second choice of design for the party.