After requesting the 325 Baked Alaska desserts (flambe, of course), taper-filled centerpieces with hothouse roses from Holland and English table linens shipped directly from the United Kingdom, today’s bride seeks the elegance-and solace, if you will-of a simple wedding gown.
And simple doesn’t mean boring. The latest wedding gown designs offer clean lines and traditional touches, but these dresses are anything but uninspired remakes of the expected altar-bound frock. Today’s gowns get their savvy yet simple inspiration from the latest trends in ready-to-wear.
“Most brides today are looking for something simple, clean and elegant,” says Rebecca Hitchcock, fashion-office director for Marshall Field stores. “And what they’re finding in bridal designs is a crossover of the predominant trends in the ready-to-wear market.”
Rest assured that this “crossover” has nothing to do with post-grunge wear and everything to do with today’s fashion approach that utilizes clean lines and interesting details. Trendy shapes like the A-line bring a modern edge to bridal silhouettes while cutout details and apron-style profiles add spark to clean and simple shapes. More ready-to-wear details found in bridal include sheer insets, sleek shapes and above-the-knee hemlines
“Bridal designers have definitely `borrowed’ ready-to-wear trends by incorporating details like long, clean lines, simple shapes and soft edges,” Hitchcock adds. “Brides will also be seeing halter-style gowns, interesting cuff treatments and accessories like ribboned chokers or even a beaded headband, which in many cases is replacing the traditional headpiece.”
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P. 16: Jim Hjelm headpiece (about $200) and Chantung silk gown ($2,250), gloves ($15), Carolee earrings (about $100) and Christian Dior necklace (about $195), Hanes hosiery ($5.50) and Dyeables shoes-all at Marshall Field & Co. On groom: Lord West NY formalwear available at formalwear specialists. Salvatore Ferragamo shoes ($235) at Fields.
P. 18, top left: Vera Wang short-to-long dress (about $2,600) and veil (about $600) at Exclusives for the Bride; Monet rhinestone earrings ($28) at Field’s; hosiery (about $40) at the Wolford Boutique; A’mano shoes ($116); and La Regale handbag ($35) at Nordstrom.
P. 18, bottom left: Marisa gown and veil (about $1,500) at Margie’s; earrings ($6); pearl choker ($12); and bracelet ($10) at Claire’s Boutique stores.
P. 18, right: Christian Dior fitted gown with bustle back ($2,400) and matching hair comb available at Exclusives for the Bride and Margie’s; gloves ($15) at Marshall Field & Co.
P. 19: Michele Piccione for Alfred Angelo Dream Maker gown (about $629) at Margie’s (6 locations) and Elise, Naperville; earrings ($8), choker ($12) and bracelet ($7) at Claire’s Boutique stores; Hanes hosiery ($5.50) at Field’s; A’mano shoes ($116) at Nordstrom. On groom: Lord West NY formalwear; Salvatore Ferragamo shoes ($235) at Fields.
P. 22, left: Tomasino gown with 24-karat piped flowers ($2,800) and matching veil ($400) at Fields; earrings ($4) at Claire’s Boutique stores; Liz Claiborne choker ($20) at Field’s.
P. 22, bottom: Hosiery (about $40) at the Wolford Boutique; gloves ($15) at Field’s; Miriam Haskell bracelet ($100) and satin slingback shoes ($70) by Nordstrom Private Collction.
P. 23: Amsale A-line dress ($2,100) at Exclusives for the Bride, Margie’s and Field’s; veil by Alfred Angelo; Carolee earrings (about $38) and gloves ($15) at Field’s; hosiery (about $40) at the Wolford Boutique; shoes by Dyeables.
P. 24, 25: Jessica McClintock long-sleeved ivory gown with pearl detail ($540) at Jessica McClintock Boutique; earrings ($10) at Claire’s Boutique stores; hosiery (about $40) at the Wolford Boutique; Nina shoes ($60) at Field’s. On groom: Lord West NY formalwear; Salvatore Ferragamo shoes ($235) at Fields.
Models: Celine Adduci/David and Lee; David Rotter/David and Lee; Carmen Foster/Aria.
Hair and Makeup: Joyce Taft, David and Lee.
Flowers by Natures Way of Design, Chicago.
Photographed at the Francis J. Dewes Mansion, 503 W. Wrightwood Ave., Chicago.
