So, wedding season is officially upon us. If you’re a bride-to-be, you’ll probably want to get the low-down on all of the latest wedding dress styles and some fabulous tips from industry experts. We sat down with London-based designer, Rita Colson, founder of a bespoke bridal couture business, to talk bridal dresses. But here’s the thing, Rita doesn’t believe in trends…
“My general advice is that it’s always good to stay away from trends when it comes to weddings. You don’t want to look back 10 years from now and look confined to a particular period.
You want to be timeless and stylish so the best thing to do is keep things simple. And I don’t mean you have to be traditional, you can still be modern and chic, without the 2018 stamp.”
Having been in the fashion industry for a long while, about 10 years, Rita said she finds that sometimes a bride can lose her style personality to tradition when it comes to choosing the dress. “Often, brides have amazing personal style but when it comes to the dress, it can turn out always the same and always traditional. You can really go to town with the dress for the most special day of your life. If you don’t like lace, tulle or taffeta, there’s always an alternative and I always work with less traditional fabric textures. There are so many other flattering fabrics out there!”
Bringing together Rita’s two great passions; bespoke and couture, means she really gets to grips with what real brides actually want regardless of fleeting trends. There are three main things to ensure your wedding dress has to be no matter what style you choose. It must be: Elegant, classic and well-formed.
Here are five wedding dress styles that, instead of being trend-led, are elegant, classic and well-formed.
Off the shoulder
Every woman has body insecurities that they don’t want to show on their wedding and a common one for many is the arms. Don’t let that stop you from wearing an off the shoulder gown though.
Rita’s Tip: Wear with a lace bolero or a small jacket that will allow you to wear the off the shoulder style with a chic accessory.
Long lace sleeves
Since Kate Middleton’s wedding, long sleeve lace has really come back into fashion. It’s a classic style that is flattering on everyone. You can still see skin but it’s still demure.
Rita’s Tip: Go for a sheer fabric when it comes to long sleeves or even go for a pleat over the tops of the arms. Wearing something that will make you feel your best is key.
Trouser and jumpsuits
This trend started off with Solange when she got married. Although its daring and a step away from the norm, like Solange, it’s very stylish and classic.
Rita’s Tip: Gone are the days where you have to wear a dress – you don’t have to wear a dress. It’s the cut that makes it classic so make sure it’s tailored for your shape and figure.
Corset body
If you’re a big vintage fan and like that strong silhouette design, a corset body is a great choice that will really show off your figure.
Rita’s Tip: Great dress design is recognizable no matter what the era or the trend. Having a corset body and a straight skirt will break up the dress so it’s not all one big mass which can sometimes be unflattering when there’s a lot going on. It’s chic because of the embroidery but its not overdone.
Two-piece separates
Two outfits in one is a fabulous way to get your day to night bridal look without spending double the money.
Rita’s Tip: For the wedding and the reception, you can replace the top with something else. Something a little more casual or a different material. Not every bride wants to wear three dresses and your second outfit doesn’t have to be a dress.
To find out more about Rita Colson and her pieces, visit the website
