Shots Photography

The Wedding Dress Revealed

Fashion Trends and Popular Styles and Colors

The Wedding Dress – How did it all begin?

Did you ever wonder how the tradition of wearing a wedding dress came about? Wedding dresses have been worn by brides young and old alike for centuries. In modern times almost anything passes for a wedding dress however, in times of old, traditional wedding dresses were flowing gowns usually white in color.

White is usually accepted as the "traditional" color of gowns, and many designer wedding gowns are still fashioned in this color, representing the "purity" and "innocence" of the bride to be. Many women opt for other colors, including blue, pink, cream, yellow and more.

Wedding dresses have changed with time much as everything in the world has. In times of old most women selected a gown based on her financial status. Women who were at an economic disadvantage usually did not have the luxury of selecting an extraordinary gown that would be worn only once. Rather, most selected something more "plain" that could be worn for church services and other occasions after their blessed day.

Wedding gowns of varying styles and colors were popular among the elite, and by and large represented the unique style and personality of the bride to be, as well as modern trends at the time.

Popular Colors

An old poem states about the color of a wedding dress that "Married in white, you will have chosen all right." This is not to say that all brides historically have chosen white for their wedding gown. In fact, many brides chose colors including blue, pearl and even black. Many brides believed that if they wore blue their husbands would remain true to them (also a famous line in the wedding poem). Pink was even a popular wedding gown color for a time, though its darker variant, red was often considered taboo because it was associated with "scarlet women".

Many women who did not have a large budget to spend on a wedding dress in times of old opted for fashions that could be worn any day, rather than solely on their wedding day. For their wedding day, they would dress up their gown with accessories and flowers, even bows that could be removed after the festivities.

Wedding Gown Fashion

In the United States for a short spell the color white fell out of favor, but around the time of the Industrial Revolution, when the department store made it possible for a bride with any budget to purchase the gown of her dreams, white once again became the fashion. The style worn by women has changed through time.

Wedding dresses fashioned during the Roaring twenties were very different from those that came about in the thirties. In the twenties, women sought out gowns that de-emphasized their shape, in line with the style of the flappers that was trendy at the time.

During the 30's most women emphasized their shape and wore gowns that highlighted their waists and bosoms. Perhaps the most interesting period of time for the wedding gown was during the 1980s, when big puffy sleeves and extravagant skirts were worn by a majority of women. These gowns, while well suited for trim and petite women, often were not the most flattering choice for the average size woman. Despite this, gowns did not trim down again until the mid to late 1990s.

Wedding Gown Fashion Today

As mentioned at the start, almost anything passes for a wedding dress today. More and more women are buying a wedding dress online, because of the wide variety and selection of unique and custom made gowns available.

Informal wedding dresses, designer wedding dresses and even discount wedding dresses can all be found online thanks to modern technology. More popular than even designer wedding dresses are discount bridal gowns online. Most brides to be can purchase extravagant looking, custom made gowns for a fraction of the cost they would find them in a department store.

Another benefit of buying a wedding dress online is convenience. With so many things to plan for a wedding (location, cake, reception, flowers, invitations, rehearsal dinner etc.etc) most women appreciate having a handy resource for buying their wedding dress. Most women also find a wider selection of sizes and custom features available when they shop online vs. when they shop in a traditional store.

Trends

Trends have changed when it comes to modern wedding attire. No longer do all brides seek out a traditional white gown for their special occasion. In fact, there is a huge selection of vintage and informal wedding dresses available, many of which don't even look like official wedding gowns.

Most dresses today focus on the unique personality of the bride rather than socially accepted "norms" when it comes to buying a wedding dress. In general many brides are looking for wedding gowns that are narrower than they have been in times of old, and those that offer clean silhouettes. These types of dresses usually lengthen the body and provide a slimming effect. Some more popular trends include the following:

• A-line dresses that are long and slimming
• Sheaths with trains built into the silhouette, so that it trails behind the bride
• Bias-cut wedding gowns that follow the natural curves of the body, ending in a small flare at the bottom
• Raised waistline ball-gown styles
• Square necklines that provide a fresh open look
• Off the shoulder dresses providing a full neckline
• Sleeveless or cap sleeve gowns which are especially popular for summer brides
• Empire waists which elongate the figure and shift the focus upward

Trends are also apparent with regard to fabrics. Satin and silk gowns have long been popular, though sheer fabrics are also becoming more trendy, including chiffon and organzas. Embroidery is also replacing lace for many modern gowns, and some brides are opting to accent their dresses with pearls and other quality beads.

No matter what style gown you choose, the most important thing is that you select one that makes you look good, feel good and happy on the most important day of your life. You're sure to find a superb selection when shopping online.

About The Author:
Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as wedding gowns and dresses, wedding dress shopping, and designer wedding dresses.

MORE ARTICLES:

How to Make Your Wedding Vows Something You'll Remember Forever
If you're going the increasingly popular route of personalizing your own wedding vows, you're probably looking for some tips to make your vows as special, meaningful, and eloquent as you can. This is something that will take time beforehand so that you can prepare yourself and become completely comfortable with what you're saying.

Into The World Of Style And Photography
Fashion photography is ALWAYS in fashion. Although it is mainly dependent on commerce, fashion photography is now considered as an art. Unlike before where fashion photographers see the craft as a source of income, modern fashion photographers see themselves as artists who can invent and reinvent different photo shoot techniques and style.

Wide World of Cars, LLC Hosts Photography Exhibition to Support Good Samaritan Hospital
Extraordinary artists of Feric Atelier present their work to raise funds for Good Samaritan Hospital's Active International Cardiovascular Institute.

'Speak Truth To Power' Exhibition illustrates the Power of Photography to Inform, Persuade, Enlighten and Enrich the Viewer's Life
The exhibition of more than 50 compelling photographs illustrates the belief that every individual possesses the power to cause positive change - that a photograph really can "change the world".

This Upscale Spa was Voted to the Elite Best Of The Best Spas in New Jersey for a reason: Red Carpet Wedding Beauty Services with our Celebrity Makeup
Jacqueline Pasquale "Red Carpet" Spa has set the "Gold Standard" in Bridal Beauty Services. Our expertise starts with our incredible list of celebrity cliental. Our staff has worked the top red carpet events in the entertainment industry. Our talented artists have the ability to bring the red carpet secrets to the bride

Top 5 Reasons for Hiring a Wedding Planner
One of the most joyous occasions in life is a wedding, a time when two people in love exchange those powerful words, "I Do", which binds them legally as husband and wife. Although an exciting time of life, planning a wedding is also a very stressful time.

Calphalon Cookware: A Great Bridal Shower And Wedding Gift Idea
Calphalon is a brand name registered to the Newell Rubbermaid Corporation. Newell Rubbermaid is a global, publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Product lines include items for offices, cleaning and organization, tools and home. Calphalon is part of the home and family line.

Unique Wedding Invitations
Today's tech savvy couples are plugging in and creating unique wedding invitations on CD/DVD. These customized invitations use music and images, photo montage and video, to tell the couple's story and provide a personal invite to their wedding.

Iowa Poker Amateur Pockets $1 Million in MANSIONPOKER POKER DOME CHALLENGE and Gets Second 'Winning Hand' with Whirlwind Vegas Wedding
Poker amateur Rodel Tuazon from Iowa has emerged $1 Million richer following his winner-takes-all triumph in the MANSIONPOKER POKER DOME CHALLENGE. Tuazon outlasted five tough competitors in the battle for the MANSIONPOKER Poker Dome's first prize, proving himself the best man on the day in the most innovative and sophisticated twist on televised Texas Hold'em yet. Players qualified for the POKER DOME CHALLENGE by playing online at MANSIONPOKER. Through the MANSIONPOKER portal, Members can participate in frequent guaranteed tournaments with some of the most exceptional player value to be found online, plus take advantage of one of the best Deposit Bonuses in the industry for both Poker and Casino -- 100% up to US$1000.

Grand Italian Wedding Traditions
Couples who are of Italian descent may choose to incorporate a variety of Italian traditions into their wedding even if they have never even set foot on Italian soil. This is a fun way to honor your ancestors with a nostalgic glimpse into the past. The religious aspects, dances and food at a wedding may all hold traditional values.

The Basics of Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitations are one of the most important purchases that the bride and groom must make during their wedding planning. These give the guests all of the information they need in order to make plans to attend the wedding. Follow these basics to ensure that all of the proper information is included with the wedding invitations.

Choosing The Right Music For Your Wedding
OverviewI suppose a typical Christian wedding in the UK can be divided into 4 main sections and these are:The ceremonyPre-meal drinksWedding breakfastEvening receptionI suppose about half of the weddings I come across have the ceremony in a church so this means that if they do require me to provide live music; it will be during the drinks before the meal and the wedding breakfast. Everyone's requirements are different so don't be afraid to discuss any special requirements with whoever your hiring.

Digital Photography Review
The demand for digital cameras is very high. This is the reason many of makers are launching new products annually or every two years. This has given the customer a large number of choices making it convenient for anyone?s budget.

Exciting New Unity Sand & Tribute Kit Now Available For Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies and Special Events
Introducing a new and unique product for the Wedding and Special Event Market - Memory Sands? is a multi color scheme tribute set for Wedding Unity Sand Ceremonies or other distinctive gatherings, complete with Hand Blown Glass Vase, an assortment of vibrant sands, and more. Make a speech, pour the sand, and bring home a lasting keepsake.