Why Recent Trends In Bridal Gowns Are Good For The Frum Bride
Only a few years ago, finding a wedding gown that was not strapless was nearly impossible. Virtually every wedding gown in mainstream stores had a neckline that ended way below the neck. These type of gowns still make up the majority of the bridal store rack, but recently, gowns with higher necklines have grown in popularity.
You may say: “well, I never cared about what’s popular anyways.” Not so fast. Fashion trends affect us all. Whether we like it or not, they define, or at the very least strongly influence, our perception of beauty. Just think, what looked good in the 80s or 90s, looks incredibly awkward now
(Here’s an 80’s wedding dress flashback to refresh your memory).
Oh, those puffed shoulders!
In the era of the strapless wedding gown, tznius wedding dresses often looked top-heavy and somehow less elegant. It was significantly more difficult for a frum bride to alter a non-tznius dress without significantly decreasing its appeal. Recent trends in wedding gowns, however, make building up a non-tznius dress a lot easier. Not only because higher necklines such as the jewel, the bateau, the v-neck are coming in, but also because the fabrics are changing as well. More of the wedding dress is made from tulle and lace. Using these fabrics, designers are adding more airiness and lightness to their wedding gowns. 3-d appliqués and feather adornments over the tulle that are in style further accentuate the airiness of the fabric.
Gown by Israeli Designer Chana Marelus
The lighter fabrics work better with gowns that cover arms and shoulders and make them more pleasing to the eye. Tznius gowns look as elegant and as stylish as the non-tznius ones. Many dresses that are sold in regular bridal stores are easily made tznius by adding sleeves without any additional adjustments. On the downside, large princess ball gowns, which our kallahs like so much, are less common as a result, but that’s a trend we’re prepared to accept. A-lines, sheath, and mermaid (the latter ranking lower on the tznius spectrum) silhouettes are more common.
Perla gown by BHLDN – $1,800
Mary by Illume Gowns
Beaded Lace Gown by Oleg Cassini – $1,250
Gown by Chana Marelus
Trends will surely swing back, but for now let us appreciate the additional options available to the frum bride.
