A Wedding Special
The couple’s wedding day is once-in-a-lifetime, sacred and celebratory. The bride is always the center of attention. She is clothed by the code of feminine simplicity, swathed in the aesthetics of romanticism and highlighted by the allure of ethereal masterpieces in sheer billowing white. The bride is the epitome of immaculate perfection. Though this maybe the ideal concept, there are others who go beyond tradition.
Through the decades, bridal fashion has evolved from the dainty fairy-tale like look into a wide range of offerings. Proof of this are endless designer shops and the ever-growing industry that showcase a plethora of creations in timely fashion. The celebrated white will always be a forever piece but modern times showcase a spectrum of hues. Metallics, a range of pastels, modern neutrals and red have become options.
Modern brides in recent decades have already experimented on new silhouettes and proportions. From figure-flattering hourglass style to couture ball gown excessiveness, the concept of shape has gone beyond the boundaries of tradition. Lengths have risen up, up and away to display the beauty of towering legs that for some brides matter. The passing of the decades made hemlines headlines when they rose to the occasion and raised brows high enough to reach the heavens.
Not so long ago, showing some skin was once considered daring, modern and sometimes taboo. Today, the look of sexy is no longer limited to whistle-bait silhouettes as women dare to bare. Skin is in as modern weddings present brides that display beautiful backs, regal swan necks and hanger-like shoulders and elegant collar bones.
Power is sexy. In this age of women empowerment and gender equality, wearing pants on her wedding day has become more and more acceptable. What started in the era of Coco Chanel when she fashioned and popularized trousers for women, then immortalized by YSL’s “Le Smoking” in 1966 as an alternative to the LBD (little black dress, which Chanel reportedly invented in 1926), has now become a thing for women with powerful personalities, women who fashion the look of menswear and are not interested in ultra-feminine, fluffy frothy gowns or simply women living in the now. These ladies are practical dressers, who are on the go and would favor a pair of trousers, pantsuits and jumpsuits in a heartbeat — a modern style statement for the bride who wants to stand out.
Under the discerning eye of contemporary fashion, there is no rule to embellishments, embroidery, luxe fabrications and all the details that matter. The pendulum of style swings to the extremes from “less is more” to “more is more” and more.
And since we are on the topic of more, modern brides are buying more than just a gown for the occasion. Nowadays, some brides purchase a minimum of two gowns (for the church wedding and reception) to a maximum of four gowns, which includes gown for prenup and another extra for
reception. The rise of prenup photo shoots as part of the occasion have expanded and created a huge lucrative business opportunity for designers, wedding photographers, bridal fashion stylist, makeup artists, hairstylist, coordinators and expanded the wedding industry.
The clamor for less traditional wedding gowns has surpassed being a trend and has become a choice. The bride-to-be today is lucky with the current wardrobe full of looks to choose from compared to decades earlier. The constant evolution of fashion, the changing times and this age of style individuality have given rise to the multitude bridal wear alternatives.
With respect to both past and present creations, similarities and differences in appeal, modern or classic doesn’t make a piece better than the other. What’s important is the bride’s choice and what will celebrate her in this very special occasion.
A gown or ensemble, whatever it may be, is aisle-worthy as long as it’s a reflection of one’s sensibility, persona, sense of style and fashion. What makes the bride modern? Freedom — having the freedom of choice to be as true and real as can be.