From simple, timeless looks and plain fabrics, to chic, colourful styles with luxe embellishments, this year’s weddings are sure to be full of fashion inspiration and ideas. To get a better understanding of the latest trends and must-have looks this wedding season, we reached out to some of the top dressmakers in the industry to get their expert insights and predictions.
1. Simple styles + extra detailing
The simple look is in this year – from the style to the fabric. “We’re seeing lots of simple designs made from luxurious mikado, satin or crepe,” comments Jo Maloney from A Bridal Story. “Less is more is definitely going to be a key bridal trend.” Elizabeth from Elizabeth Kate Bridal is also noticing more “plain wedding dresses and plain fabrics such as mikado and satin.”
At the same time, bridal fashion is featuring plenty of luxe accessories and detailing. Fross from Fross Wedding Collections Ltd is seeing a trend towards simple gowns accessorised. “For example, lots of our brides love to add bows to their satin gowns.” According to our dressmakers, the most popular fashion element this year is bows, followed by pearls, then feathers, and finally beads. Zera Rowell from Aime Moi Encore says they are “seeing a demand for simpler designs where extra details can be featured such as big bows and lots of pearls, flowers and head pieces. Flower appliques and colour are also very popular!”
2. Colour, colour, colour
Wedding dresses with colour are also en vogue. Over half of the dressmakers we spoke to are seeing wedding dresses in alternative colours to the traditional bridal white. Kate Ashwell from Heartfelt Vintage says they are ‘seeing a huge uplift in the number of requests for colourful dresses’. Donna from DM Bridal Accessories also emphasises seeing ‘dresses with colour’.
As for bridesmaids’ dresses, the most popular colours this year are champagne, earthy tones, and greens (both emerald and sage). Dusty rose, blush pink, dusty blue and navy blue are also trending, particularly as we move into the season of late winter/early spring.
3. Statement dresses + luxe embellishments
At the other end from simple styles, many of our dressmakers are seeing dramatic statement dresses. Jo Maloney from A Bridal Story comments that “big and bold designs are also trending with dramatic skirts, necklines and sleeve’, while Margo Brittain from Margo Chamberlain Millinery is seeing “puff sleeves, long trains, maximalist styles, and large flower corsages.”
Princess skirts, long or floating trains, long veils, even capes, are in high demand. Kate Ashwell from Heartfelt Vintage attributes this to the popularity of Netflix’s Bridgerton: “The Bridgerton-inspired trends keep on coming!” Jekaterina Domnych from Gold Needle Ltd speaks of an “abundance of uber-chic inspo in the 2023 wedding dress trends, from dramatic ball gowns to colorful wedding gowns to luxe embellishments like bows, feathers, ruffles, gloves, capes, scooped and strapless necklines, high-low hemline ball gowns with over-the-top tiered skirts, decadent fabrics and beads, lingerie-inspired slip wedding dresses.” She also adds that “in 2023 we’ll be seeing more statement veils with 3D elements, sparkles, flowers, prints and pops of colour. Fashion is stepping away from plain tulle and making the veil its own masterpiece and something that is able to express the bride’s style and personality.”
4. Long gloves/long sleeves
Continuing the Bridgerton theme, the trend towards long, elegant gloves is making a comeback in 2023: our dressmakers unanimously report long gloves, from long tulle gloves to long opera gloves. Amy Money from Amy Money Millinery also comments on the trend of long sleeves, and even detachable sleeves for greater versatility and flexibility throughout the day.
5. Splits/slits
“Split dresses are very on trend”, Zoey Jayaweera from The White Room of Minchinhampton reports. Duduzile Sibanda from Couture & Tiaras Bridal agrees: “We are selling a lot of dresses with a slit.” Split wedding dresses are gaining in popularity over the years because they offer a modern and elegant look, while also being comfortable to dance and move around in. Not to mention that a slit can show off a pair of beautiful shoes!
6. Detachable skirts/multi dresses
Many of our dressmakers are seeing a demand for detachable skirts or separate overskirts, as brides increasingly look for versatility and flexibility when it comes to choosing their wedding dress. Fross from Fross Wedding Collections Ltd notes seeing “brides wanting two gowns, daytime and evening looks, or gowns with detachable skirts to create two looks in one!”
For bridesmaids, multi dresses (a.k.a. convertible dresses or infinity dresses) are all the rage. These dresses can be worn in different ways, so bridesmaids can choose the most flattering style for their body type and taste. They can also be worn again and again long after the wedding, making them both practical and cost-effective. Jekaterina Domnych from Gold Needle Ltd lists a range of flexible styles for bridesmaids: “mismatching bridesmaids dresses, cowl neck bridesmaids dresses, velvet bridesmaids dresses, convertible bridesmaids dresses.”
7. More individuality/non-traditional dress
More and more brides are opting to break the mould and wear a non-traditional wedding dress that more truly reflects their own personal style and preferences. Lisa Carrington from Lisa Carrington Couture summarises this trend: “More and more brides are turning to individuality – bespoke instead of mass-produced. I feel trends heading more to personal tastes and not what everyone else is doing, so possibly more quirky and adventurous details will come through.” Nathalie Neuilly from Dressarte Paris agrees: “[There is] great interest towards non-traditional wedding outfits and colours (like black and green in particular)”.
8. Sustainable options
Sustainability is increasingly become a key concern for today’s couples, according to many of our dressmakers. Eve Mannion from Love It Again Bridal has observed that “more couples are becoming eco-conscious about their wedding choices”. Wendy Hook from Vintage Adornments agrees that the eco fashion trend continues to grow with more and more brides opting for sustainable choices when it comes to choosing a dress: “There’s a real move towards more sustainable choices for both cost and environmental reasons. Vintage and nostalgic themes are also having a real influence after the years of the pandemic and then the fuel and economic crises – couples are keen to harken back to happier times and evoke that in their wedding styling.” Popular sustainable options include choosing a dress made from organic, natural or recycled materials; renting a wedding dress; or opting for a vintage or second-hand dress.
Whether you’re a bride-to-be, a bridesmaid, or simply a fashion-savvy wedding guest, these styles, colours and fabrics are sure to make a statement at any wedding this year. You’ve now got all the inspiration and ideas you need to start putting together your own unique look!
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