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Bridal
Fashion: A Traditional Guide
Something old,
something new, something borrowed and something blue; that's the rhyme
that's taught to brides as a guide for what to wear on their big day. As
traditions go, this is a good one, and it can be a lot of fun too, but
there are many things that you can do give your look a wonderfully
timeless quality.
When it comes to jewelry, there are many options that you can take
advantage of. If you have a white gown, platinum, pearls and silver will
offset it magnificently. It should be noted however, that some people
consider pearls unlucky when worn on a wedding day, due to their
resemblance to tears. With a cream or ivory gown, gold will look quite
lovely at your throat and your ears, as will citrine and amber. If your
wedding gown is low cut and leaves your neck and shoulders bare, you
should consider long drop earrings. These give you an elegant touch that
will offset your skin and hair well.
In times past, a girl's wedding might be the first time she wore her
hair up, rather than in the braids that she was used to. You should
speak with your hairdresser about what will look best, but there is
something classically elegant about a bride with her hair swept up.
Whether you decide to go with a simple chignon or something more
elaborate, try to make sure that the style complements the dress. For
something more fanciful, think about buying jeweled barrettes or hair
ornaments. These can be quite striking and they can do double duty and
hold on your veil, if you chose to wear one. Look for ornaments that
will show up against your hair, yet be subdued enough that they won't
grab too much attention in the wedding pictures.
One of the first things that you can think about in terms of traditional
bridal attire is the color of the dress. If this is your first wedding,
tradition recommends pure white. What if you don't like the way you look
in white though? Not to fear, there are many other options available to
you. You can find wedding gowns in many different colors, but if you
want to adhere to tradition, keep the colors very very pale. A very
pale, frosty blue can give you an ethereal, otherworldly look, while a
gown in the softest rose will have you blushing with pleasure. If you
want a more dramatic look, think about a traditionally-cut wedding gown
in a darker shade; the contrast between the color and the cut can be
quite striking. Don't overlook the possibility of a cream-colored dress
either; many women look their best in this soft shade.
When you're planning your own wedding, remember that you will look best
in the thing that you like the most. Have a few clear ideas of what your
dress will be like, whether you are interested in a sleekly modern white
sheath or a full-out, traditional Victorian-style gown with corset and
bustle. If you can plan within your budget, there's no reason you
shouldn't have the gown you've been dreaming of. Be very firm with both
your wedding party and the people who run the store where you will
purchase your gown. If you are trying to put together a wedding, you
have enough on your mind without having to find off friendly and not so
friendly debate among the people who should be trying to help you.
Brides with a fuller figure might wish to take a look at the Victorian
gowns mentioned above. If someone mentions a corset, don't think of a
contraption that will give you a 20 inch waist! Think instead of a
lightly boned top that will give your torso clean lines and lead
gracefully to the full gown below. This style is beautifully dressy and
complements a traditional wedding well. If you have a slimmer figure,
think about a dress that will emphasize that. What are your favorite
body parts? Dress to emphasize them; after all, it is your day!
When you are thinking about your wedding, you will be hearing from many
different people and places about what you should do and wear. Tradition
is a great guide to what people have done in the past for their perfect
weddings, but remember that this is your perfect wedding! Whether you
decide to follow tradition completely or just use it as a template, your
wedding should still be all about you! |
