How to Transform a Bridal Dress From Ceremony to Reception
The price of a wedding dress can range from just a few hundred dollars up to tens of thousands, depending on the designer and the material. Additional options like beading or embroidery can add to the cost.
Bridal gowns follow fashion trends but also reflect changing attitudes toward weddings and marriage. This season, consider Erdem's romantic floral motifs for timeless appeal, or a streamlined silhouette in Christopher John Rogers' embellished Lace design exclusive to NET A-PORTER.
Bodice
A bodice is a piece clothing that covers the upper part of the body. It is usually worn with skirts or other outer garments. It can be made of different types of fabrics, and it may have sleeves or detachable sleeves. It is often embellished with embroidery, lace beads, beading and other elements to give texture and visual appeal.
The term "bodice" comes from the Latin word for body. The word originally meant a rigid and boned top layer worn over soft outer garments such as mantuas and jackets. As fashion changed it was possible to draw a distinction between the "pair of bodies" (boned and stiffened clothes for the upper body) and the loose, unboned garments for the outer layer.
In the 17th century, the term "bodice" which was the outer garment, was considered an individual piece, and not a part of a dress. In this instance the skirt was distinct from the bodice. It was attached using hooks and eye. Eventually, the term was shortened to simply bodice.
In the modern era the term "bodice" has an broader meaning and can be used to describe an item of clothing that is a tight and fitted. It can be worn with skirts or pants, or even as a separate article of clothing. In any situation, the fabric is usually flexible and comfortable for the wearer.
Draped bodice designs are popular with bridal designers and brands because they create a romantic and ethereal aesthetic for the bride's wedding gown. Fashion houses with a high-end style like Vera Wang, Marchesa and Monique Lhuillier use draped bodice designs in their collections. However, this style of construction is also favored by contemporary ready-to-wear labels like Diane von Furstenberg and Alice + Olivia that cater to a wider consumer base.
You can wear a sleeveless bodice or a short-sleeved one with trousers or a skirt. It can also be worn with a shrug or boleros to provide warmth and cover to the torso region. A beaded or embellished dress can add a touch of glamour and shine to any outfit.
Skirt
The skirt of a gown is generally composed of tulle, a lightweight, flowing fabric. The most classic bridal fabric it has the appearance of netting, but can be ruched and shaped for shape. It's available in a range of weights and degrees of stiffness. It's best when coupled with simple silhouettes.
Other sheer, gauzy fabrics like organza, chiffon, and lace add a fairytale-like quality to any wedding dress. They look stunning when coupled with beading or lace that adds even more dimension to the skirt. For a more formal appearance opt for Mikado silk. This fabric is textured and has a slight sheen and is perfect for formal styles and all-year-round dresses.
Brocade and damask are two other bridal fabrics that have raised designs. They bring drama to any look. These more structured textiles are better suited for wedding dresses that are formal, such as A-line or mermaid gowns.
The shape of a gown's skirt is also crucial. The "A-line" silhouette closely follows the body in the bodice and waist, then flares outwards from the knees for a slimming effect. This shape is perfect for women with a smaller frame. It's similar to a mermaid silhouette but has a less dramatic and sculptural look.
Tiered skirts are another popular choice for brides. The number of tiers and their size determines the volume of the skirt. Small pleats that are tightly pressed create a delicate, floaty appearance while larger, more widely spaced pleats produce more of a dramatic and expansive effect. The pleats can be curvy or straight and can run horizontally or in diagonal directions. The width of tiers could have a big impact on how full the dress appears. It is important to think about this when planning your wedding.
A bubble-shaped skirt, also referred to as a mermaid style that is wide at the hips and gradually narrows toward the bottom hem. This rounded silhouette, which is available in above-the-knee and floor-length versions, adds a fun accent to any wedding dress.
Train
The train is the long piece of fabric that flows behind the bride while she walks down the aisle. It is an important feature because it helps create the illusion of length and movement in the gown. Wedding dress trains are available in a variety of lengths today from the tiniest court train to the long chapel and cathedral trains. The length of the train can be used to emphasize the design of the dress or to emphasize the bride's height.
Historically, the length of the skirt of a wedding dress was a reflection of its societal class. Women of higher classes wore longer dresses, while women of lower class wore shorter dresses. However, with the rise of industrialization and mass production in the 20th century, wedding gowns were no longer about displaying an individual's social standing, and more about creating a stunning bridal moment for the couple. In turn, bridal dresses began to become more affordable for middle-class brides.
In the 21st century the popularity of reality television shows such as Say Yes to the Dress and Don't Tell the Bride have increased our fascination with weddings and the intricate details involved in the design of the perfect wedding dress. The bridalwear industry has boomed and more brides are looking for the perfect wedding dress.
The wedding dress is a reflection of the fashions of the past however there are a few constants for every bride. The color, for example, never strays too far from champagne, oyster or ivory and the wedding gowns and lace are generally elegant and delicate.
The wedding dress worn by Queen Victoria in 1840, a white dress with embroidered orange blossoms it and an extended train set the standard for modern wedding gowns. She wanted to ensure her guests knew that she took her job as queen seriously and was a woman of impeccable taste and good judgment.
Bustle
The bustle is the last step to transform your gown from ceremony into reception. The bustle is a set of hooks, buttons, or ribbons that are sewn to the back of your skirt to shorten your train and make it more manageable to move around after the ceremony. A bridal dress's train is often long, and this bustle will help you avoid damaging the fabric by keeping it off the floor and out of harm's way.
There are a variety of ways that a wedding dress could be bustled, and it's crucial to choose which one is best for you prior to you go to your first fitting. The American bustle is the simplest and most popular style. It is comprised of one or more points of bustle along the waistline of your gown. The train is then raised and attached to these points. This creates a romantic and elegant cascading effect. This is an excellent option for brides who have intricate details or lace on their gown.
Another popular option for bustles is the French bustle, which has an identical, but less delicate appearance. In this fashion the seamstress adds colored ribbons or numbers to each of the bustle points of your gown. When wedding dresses long sleeve to bustle, each hook is easily matched with its pair and the train folds itself under itself instead of over. This is a good choice for brides who want to showcase their train, without causing a distraction for guests by looking up at it from a distance.
You can also opt for an elegant look with the Victorian bustle. This style is ideal for ball gowns and its dramatic folds make an instant impression. The victorian style is stunning on gowns adorned with lacing.
If you'd like a more casual bustle your seamstress may recommend using a wrist loop. It's a simple band that wraps around the wrist's base and helps keep your dress from slipping down while you dance all night long. This is a practical and easy solution, which doesn't diminish the elegance of your dress.