Fashion Week is a wonderland of glitz and glamour for any fashionista out there. Two times a year, in Spring and Fall, the most famous designers, luxury brands, and the highest-paid models come together to showcase their newest couture collections. While New York Fashion Week is the most known, cities like Milan, Paris, and London also serve as hosts for one of the most anticipated events in the fashion industry. Each designer has their niche like menswear or couture but here at Saphire Event Group we only have one week in mind: Bridal Fashion Week. Much like the closet in the movie “Twenty-Seven Dresses,” there is no shortage of gowns decked out in tulle, lace, or silk. These high-fashion bridal gowns come with a pretty hefty price tag so what does that mean for the bride on a budget? Now that Bridal Fashion Week 2023 is over, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular trends that you can use for inspiration when selecting your dream dress.
Texture
One of the clearest trends of the 2023 collections was texture. Some gowns had ruffles, while others had hand-embroidered 3D flowers or tufts of feathers. By incorporating texture in their collections, designers were able to take risks and re-think traditional silhouettes. Texture can do a lot of things right for a dress, like create volume or movement, and it doesn’t have to be done on such a grand scale. Keep in mind the kind of elements you want for your dress, like an A-line cut or lace, and try on gowns that meet your wedding vision but also ones that seem like they’re out of your comfort zone. After all, you never know which dress will be the one that surprises you.
Mini Dresses
Say goodbye to long skirts and make way for a silhouette fairly new to the wedding sphere: minidresses. Traditional wedding dresses are usually floor-length but designers started challenging that norm, suggesting going shorter is modern and fun. This would be a great option for quirkier brides that do not shy away from breaking the status quo or being the center of attention. Short dresses are unexpected, sexy, and will help you ooze confidence as you make your grand reveal. Plus, think how much more comfortable you’ll be dancing without three or more feet of heavy fabric weighing you down.
Sheer Accents
Delicate sheer fabrics were another big style trend we saw repeated throughout the collections at Bridal Fashion Week 2023. Layering peek-a-boo lace or iridescent mesh over a white dress adds another layer to these designs, making them feel whimsical and romantic. While some dresses use sheer accents to add coverage (like a mock neck) others use this style element to add sparkle. There’s something about letting a little skin show through that feels mysterious and intriguing. For those daring enough to show a little more skin, bridal leotards layered underneath a skirt of tulle are a cheeky (wink!) way to showcase the sultrier side of wedding couture.
Pants
The words wedding and dress are synonymous with each other. But where does that leave the people who don’t feel like a gown is a fitting representation of their identity? Letting menswear influence bridal couture is a fairly new trend but incredibly important in today’s society. Suits can be masculine, feminine, or a little bit of both (just like people!) which makes them an extremely versatile option for those planning their wedding. Walking down the aisle in a suit is a power move because it’s not done all that often. Elements like pleats or shoulder pads can add definition and enhance your shape which will help you look polished and put together, and effortlessly chic.
Sleeves
Adding sleeves was an unexpected twist this season. In recent years, dresses that show more skin have become increasingly popular as brides shed traditional marriage ideals like modesty and purity. The idea of sleeves is to cover bare arms, especially if you’re getting married in a church, but designers this year are elevating this style element to mirror poufy Renaissance gowns worn by royalty. The result is a collection of dresses that ooze elegance and aristocracy, making this the perfect choice for brides searching for the “princess look.”
Color
Typically, brides wear white so an easy way to make a statement is to do the opposite. Colors like baby blue (a perfect choice if you still haven’t nailed down your “something blue”) and blush pink were the two most popular hues across these collections. You can see them executed in small ways, like embroidery, or in large ways, like an entire dress made out of grayish-blue tulle. If you’re looking for a way to help your wedding stand out and showcase your unique personality, challenging colors like white and cream might be a good place to start.
Clean Lines
For the brides searching for that timeless and classic look, you’re in luck because modern and sleek silhouettes (with very little frills) are making a comeback. Focusing on clean lines and exceptional tailoring, these dresses were designed to keep the bride at the center of attention, not just her dress. These dresses are not at all distracting and they can serve as the perfect canvas to showcase a bride’s glowing makeup or her intricate hairstyle. Over-the-top details are trendy and may lose traction over time but simple necklines and minimal detailing will never go out of style.
Accessories
Lots of models on the runway at Bridal Fashion Week 2023 were styled with accessories, the most popular being hairpieces and gloves. Adding a crown of flowers or a bedazzled headband is an easy way to tie your whole look together and honor your theme, whether that be cottage-core or Hollywood glam. Some designers had their models styled wearing gloves which is an interesting style element; one that dates back to the idea that brides covered their arms to display their chastity and modesty. Now gloves can be created to match dresses or just as a way to add more intrigue to a simpler gown.
Now that the Spring/Summer Bridal Fashion Week 2023 shows are over, we’re left to wonder what these designers could be working on for the upcoming Fall/Winter season. Even though elements like ruffles and exaggerated shapes are trending right now they might not be a few months from now. Choosing a wedding dress shouldn’t be about copying what’s popular and instead about finding something that lets your beauty shine through where you feel like the most authentic version of yourself.
