The Citizen (KZN)

Styles for the aisles

WEDDING DRESSES: A LOOK AT THIS YEAR’S POPULAR CHOICES

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Minis break with tradition and are a more frequent choice for brides now.

Google “wedding dresses” searches have skyrockete­d 681% worldwide over the past 12 months,

Google Trends search data reveals.

A fashion expert reveals their top prediction­s for the most lusted-after dresses for bridesto-be this year – including trending aesthetic “old money” and “mini wedding dresses” as demand hits an all-time high.

The experts studied social media to find which dress styles and wedding aesthetics are most wanted this wedding season.

Fashion experts at Dalston Mill Fabrics reveal their prediction­s for the most sought-after styles for 2024.

1. ETHEREAL

The “ethereal” wedding dress aesthetic is the epitome of exquisitel­y beautiful, delicate style often showcased using soft fabrics such as tulle, satin and silk with intricate detailing of lace or subtle beading.

The style has gained popularity as worldwide searches spiked 700% in January 2024 compared to the previous three months.

The ethereal wedding aesthetic is reminiscen­t of the long-standing “boho” bridal trend, which has been a popular style over the years, with over 92 million views on TikTok videos tagging #BohoWeddin­gDress and fashion icons like Kate Moss donning the style. Moss wore a vintage-inspired John Galliano boho gown for her nuptials in 2011.

The experts noted: “The new trend presents silhouette­s and fabrics like those of a more establishe­d bohemian look. But ethereal dresses are more refined but with a playful air – making them a unique choice for a bride wanting to stand out.”

2. OLD MONEY

Another trend which has dominated style in general is the “old money aesthetic”, which exudes quiet luxury and timeless elegance – and its popularity in bridal style is no different.

“Old money wedding dresses” saw a 999% spike in global searches as the new year began when compared to the last three months of 2023, and Old Money Wedding Dress has gained a staggering 67.7 million views on TikTok.

A variety of popular styles can encapsulat­e this aesthetic which are likely to be donned by many 2024 brides. Elegant Wedding Dress has a huge 12.4 million TikTok views and a further 6 800 Instagram posts tagging the style.

Similarly, “timeless wedding dresses” have seen a 57% interest increase on Pinterest over the past three months and “minimalist wedding dresses” have seen a 942% global Google search surge over the same period.

The experts said: “To adopt the old money aesthetic in your bridal style, stick to simpler silhouette­s with clean lines and minimal detailing. The simple elegance of this style will enhance your natural beauty.”

3. MODERN MINI

An interestin­g trend for the modern bride in 2024 is a mini wedding dress. Internet searches for “mini wedding dress” have hit an all-time high worldwide – seeing a 264% global surge in interest at the start of 2024. This style breaks tradition but offers a stylish twist on classic gowns, and its popularity appears to be growing, with MiniWeddin­gDress seeing a TikTok view count of 8.6 million and counting.

Brides hoping to showcase a Modern Wedding Dress (about 5 500 posts on Instagram) may opt for a mini wedding dress – and the style makes for a A-list choice too.

Kourtney Kardashian wore a Dolce & Gabbana structured mini during her ceremony in May 2022. More recently, Sofia Richie Grainge selected a sophistica­ted Chanel mini as her final choice from her nuptial weekend.

4. PRINCESS BALLGOWN

For those brides who are seeking a traditiona­l style for their wedding dress, princess-style ballgowns will be the most popular choice this year.

This showstoppi­ng style is quintessen­tially bridal and what most think of when they picture a typical wedding dress – so it’s no wonder Ball gown Wedding Dress has gained an impressive 104.2 million views on TikTok and a further 5 500 tags on Instagram posts.

Taking inspiratio­n from royalty, this style fits perfectly in the “princess” bridal aesthetic, which has dominated social media, gaining 78.8 million TikTok views on videos featuring Princess Wedding Dress.

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