Looking for a wedding dress and don’t know where to start? It’s all about finding the best wedding dress style for your body shape. A little look at the trends direct from the Bridal Week catwalk can provide the perfect inspiration.
Top Wedding Dress Trends for 2020
Next year’s bridal fashion verdicts are officially in: prepare to be dazzled by the new line-up of shapes, hemlines, embellishments, layers, colours and accessories. The Wedding Ideas fashion desk has brought together a hotlist of the key wedding dress trends fresh off the catwalks in one handy round-up to help style-conscious brides-to-be in your quest for The One. From feathery feels to Studio 54 glamour and frothy tulle ruffles to tailored suits, read on for next season’s most covetable big-day looks.
80s Nostalgia
This big (sleeved) trend sees 80s volume making a huge comeback, but banish those visions of meringue-style dresses that plague your family photo albums. Theia showed us how to do nostalgia right with a modern take on the retro trend at New York Bridal Week 2020.
Corset Wedding Dress Styles
The underwear as outerwear trend which first propelled into the fashion pages at the start of this decade is making a comeback as we head into 2020. This time it’s commanding the stage at the bridal shows and we’re loving the corseted trend seen at Hayley Paige, Lihi Hod and and Ines Di Santo in New York.
Ever since the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out onto the steps of Westminster Abbey in that stunning Sarah Burton dress back in 2011, long sleeve wedding dresses have continued to grace bridal collections and prove popular with brides around the world.
From high-octane Victoriana, to sleek and simple sheer sleeves, the trend is executing its staying power, thanks to new styles, fabrics and cuts for 2020.
DISCO
Think jumpsuits, fringing and bohemian ease, the 1970s are officially back!
Dig out that mirrorball and unleash your inner Bianca Jagger: for spring 2020, Studio 54-inspired chic is the way to go if your bridal vibe is boho. This free-spirited trend could be seen in the wild fringing at Oscar de la Renta, Charlie Brear and Virgos Lounge, flare-legged jumpsuits at Viktor & Rolf Mariage and Reem Acra and the sequinned maximalism at Naeem Khan and Galvan. Subtler ways to channel the party decade? Drape an embellished kimono over a simple slip, à la Theia.
Pair this fabulous Charlie Brear beaded fringe gown with some chunky metallic heels and feathered earrings to complete the free-spirited and totally elegant 70s look. Groovy baby!
This chic lurex dress by Viktor & Rolfe Mariage features a beautiful drape and neck sash and gorgeous 70s style luxe sleeves, complimented by a sexy split at the front and a flirtatious opening at the back.
Check out some more 70s style wedding dresses here
Bridal Capes
From full-length lace cover-ups to structured silk jackets, hold something back for the big reveal.
This silk peplum Warhol coat proves that Halfpenny London truly understands the modern bride. Sleek, beautiful and utterly individual this silk jacket fuses vintage inspo with Brit cool for a totally chic cover up.
Check out some more cool cape options here
Modest Wedding Dress Trends
Keep necklines high and hemlines low with the modern take on the Victoriana wedding dress style
Following on from 2019’s RTW prairie-chic trend (see The Vampire’s Wife and Rixo), bridal labels such as Zuhair Murad, Katya Katya and Eisen Stein have taken the covered-up look one step further, with ruffled Victorian-era necklines, long, fitted sleeves, and even longer, flowing skirts. For extra sartorial points, serve up this demure period-inspired look with sheer layers and lashings of peekaboo lace.
Though high-necked and floor-length, this graceful Eisen Stein number is figure-hugging, sheer and with lashings of lace and chiffon, is a sexy, modern take on the Victoriana trend.
This extraordinary gown from Phuong My fuses the Victorian trend with a classic ball-gown full tulle skirt. The lace bodice with its high neck and long-sleeves is well-fitted, contemporary and sexy and the heavy, flowing skirt is completely princess-worthy. We’ve got serious dress envy.
Here are some more Victoriana style gowns
RELATED: Eager for more princess-worthy gowns? The Jude Jowilson bridal collection for 2020 features some gorgeous classic ball-gown style dresses.
Tailored Trousers
Co-ords or clash? You decide. We heart this subversively chic look.
These gorgeous Ralph and Russo tailored troos will take you from wedding day, to dancing the night away in the most elegant and modern way possible.
Click here for some more trousers made for dancing in:
Shorter wedding dresses are growing in popularity as more and more brides-to-be choose to step away from tradition. From tea-length wedding dresses and ballerina styles to 50s throwbacks and daring mini-dresses. Check out our edit of the best short wedding dresses here.
Feathered Gowns
Even a simple flourish of this touchy-feely texture adds opulence to classic bridal styles.
Whether you’ve got the chutzpah to rock a full-on, marabou-look midi (see Oscar de la Renta) or prefer to keep the fluffy stuff as a simple cuff trim (Berta) or hemline highlight (Pronovias), there’s no denying that the big-day feathers movement is going nowhere. As the soft-touch embellishments reinforce their place in high-end bridal fashion for next season, they’re becoming more versatile: find them to everything from shoulder straps to mini skirts.
Float down the aisle in this fabulous feathered fantasy by Oscar de la Renta. If you’re looking for extravagance and elegance combined, a fluffy look is definitely the way to go.
If you choose the feathered way you can’t do it half-heartedly. Zuhair Murad display this triumphantly in this incredible feathered-ball gown from their 2020 collection. There’s no such thing as too many feathers!
For more fabulously fluffy gowns, check out our gallery:
Lace Wedding Dresses
Go dotty for this spotty new lace trend, ideal for low-key overlays and barely-there sleeves
Romantic, whimsical and effortlessly elegant this Eione top and Ephyra skirt combo from Christos Costerellos is a simple and sophisticated option for non-traditional brides.
Check out some more spotty lace options here
Love the two-piece trend? Here are some more options for super stylish bridal separates.
Layering
For ultimate romance and impact, infinite layers of tulle is still the way to go
For serious princess feels, next year’s brides really need to pump up the volume. But what makes 2020’s riff on the ruffle different? It’s all in the texture: tulle is the essential ingredient for spring’s maximalist brides. Whether it’s A-line parachute tiers (as seen at Carolina Herrera and Demetrios), fanned fishtail pleats (perfected at Pronovias) or ballgown skirts of concertined crinkles (runway hits for Atelier Pronovias and Suzanne Neville respectively), the result is sheer perfection.
This immaculate gown by Carolina Herrera has a freshness to it that can only really be achieved by that many ruffles and such a fabulously full skirt. Joyful, graceful and pure, this dress is a true bridal masterpiece.
Provonias’ Serena gown is what mermaid dreams are made of. The ravishingly romantic ruffled fishtail skirt seems to go on forever and the sleek, figure-hugging bodice is sumptuously sexy.
For more ruffle dresses, have a look at our gallery:
Related: Keen to celebrate those beautiful curves? These are the best plus size wedding dresses of 2019.
Micro-trend: Scalloped necklines
An antidote to last year’s Meghan-inspired boat-neck trend, this subtle decolletage cut flatters feminine curves beautifully.
Suzanne Neville does it again with this scalloped-neckline Heaven gown. Pure bridal beauty, the pretty cut of the neck gorgeously compliments the feminine curves that are shown off in this effortlessly elegant silk gown.
Keen for more scalloped necklines? Check out our gallery of options here:
Wedding Dress Styles: Your Ultimate Guide
From ball gown and boho wedding dresses to fishtail wedding dresses, here’s your ultimate guide and everything you need to know about wedding dress styles.
Ball Gown Wedding Dresses
The most traditional of the wedding dresses, the ball gown provides the ultimate classic bridal look and a choice shape for brides with a straight body shape – a fuller skirt will give the illusion of wider hips if you have an athletic frame. With layers of fabric descending in a beautiful bell shape and brought together with a tight bodice, this is ‘the’ style for brides picturing the traditional fairytale wedding!
You are guaranteed to make an unforgettable entrance in this timelessly classic haute-couture inspired Demetrios gown from their SS2020 collection. Luxurious, opulent and dazzling this glamorous dress is everything a bridal gown should be.
Reem Acra‘s signature blend of tradition and trend is perfectly demonstrated in this show-stopping dress. The magnificent full skirt paired with the delicate tight-bodice is truly a fairytale dream come true.
Boho Wedding Dresses
Loose, relaxed, and covered in lace, bohemian style dresses are the new go to style for a lot of summer weddings or weddings overseas. Perfect for creating an effortless, laid back, and free spirited look, bridal names are adapting a new found approach to designing – think white dresses with a touch of bridal!
Totally flattering and easy to wear, these Grace Loves Lace dresses from their new collection are the ultimate in boho chic. Elegant and yet still free and easy, and with a hint of high fashion they are the perfect blend for a laid-back, ultra-stylish bridal look. Would wear again!
RELATED: Want more Boho? The Grace Loves Lace Capsule collection will definitely satisfy your relaxed bridal style!
Coloured/Tinted Dresses
A new trend on the block coloured dresses are proving far more popular than we anticipated, offering modern brides the chance to express their individuality for a ultra special occasion without taking away from the most flattering styles. Colour tints in champagne, dusky blue, blush, and even red have graced catwalks of some of the most prestigious bridal designers. You might find this selection a refreshing change from the impracticality of white!
This beautiful pink blush number from David’s Bridal offers a refreshing take on a classic ballgown bridal dress. The traditional shape and delicate colour are elegant with just a little bit of extra sass. Perfect for a bride looking for something out of the ordinary.
Why not steer clear of pale colours all together and go for something completely out of the ordinary? This midnight blue beauty from Pronovias is full of drama and still highly romantic.
Column Wedding Dresses
The column fit follows your body’s natural shape, soft fitting and minimalistic for a more casual approach to the bridal look. This type of dress is perfect for petite brides who don’t want to drown in too many bulky layers – you still want your figure to look defined. These styles are often a little more understated but still bang on trend in line with more relaxed boho styles.
This Theia Adrienne column gown from the SS20 collection has Greek Goddess vibes, proving that simplicity can often have the most impact. Flattering and flowing this dress lets you wear it and not the other way around.
This gorgeous True Bride gown is refined, classic and yet oh so modern, as well as being flattering on curves without being OTT. Its also bang on the bohemian trend with its romantic lace and pretty train and sleeves.
Related: Can’t decide what style to go for? Take a look at our handy guide to choosing the right dress for your shape…
Fishtail Wedding Dresses
Fit and flare dresses are a real winner for pear shape silhouettes or the hour glass figure! Something fitted all the way down to just above your knees will hug your curves and highlight the smallest part of your body – your waist. Otherwise known as the mermaid or fishtail dress because of the dramatic whimsical fanned skirt, choose from a wealth of necklines to complement your bust and frame.
This elegant Carolina Herrera fishtail gown fits beautifully in all the right places and makes your legs look as though they go on for days. The delicate illusion neckline with the chiffon overlay is fabulously flattering and sexy.
Donna Salado uses beads and chiffon in this wonderfully sophisticated fishtail gown, with pretty buttons down the almost-backless back. The flowing fishtail itself is subtle and gentle but still full of impact.
Embroidered Wedding Dresses
If you find yourself longing for a strapless style or something ultra sexy and a little more daring – illusion dresses have really taken a turn towards this trend in the last few years. Fashion-forward illusional necklines and backs combine with shear yet sophisticated fabrics, layers and overlays. This is where embellishments really come into their own!
Ralph and Russo have combined a classic ball gown with beautiful, romantic flower embroidery, heavenly added textures a chiffon overlay and a sophisticated illusion neckline to create this piece of ultimate bridal beauty. This dress is fit for a queen and we don’t think you’ll ever want to take it off…
This Berta embroidered gown is full of sparkle, pizzaz and illusions. Sultry, sexy and uber glam the daring neckline is full of drama and the double layer skirt adds to the alluring quality of this shimmering fairy-like gown.
Related: Now you know what you’re looking for its time to hit the shops. Here is your step-by-step guide to wedding dress shopping to get you started.
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