Bridal Gown Fashion Trends for 2012  
     By Liz Bordessa, Just-Alterations.com

 

Every Bride wants to find a Wedding Gown that is uniquely her. The 2012 Wedding Gown trends allow
Brides to customize their gowns by adding personal colors and embellishments that reflect her
individualized style. Brides should not feel restricted by traditional styles of the past. The following
reviews the top trends that Wedding Gown designer have fashioned into their 2012 collections.

 

Color Accents:

Modern Brides have embraced the trend to add color to their gowns. Soft pale pinks, nudes, and
charcoal were seen in collections by Vera Wang, Oscar De La Renta, and Kevan Hall.  Many lines
are also using dark or complimentary accent colors in bows and sashes that create a slenderizing look
for the bride’s waistline. Other designers are using sepia colored tulle and lace to create a romantic
vintage feel to their dresses.  Brides can also create a unique look by personalizing
the embellishments on their gowns to match their wedding color palette.

 

Feathers, Flowers, and Lace:

Designers are adorning many of the gowns in the 2012 collection with feathers as light details on the
bodice or as full skirts. Flowers made from soft silk chiffon, organza, and satins are also still highly favored. 
Small fabric rosettes at the neckline create a romantic affect, while larger softly structure flowers are being
placed at the waistline and shoulder for a more dramatic affect. Lace also creates a very romantic charm to
a wedding gown and has been used often this year to create Vintage and Bohemian looks.

 

Shorter Hemlines:

Tea length and mini skirt length dresses hit the runway with panache. This style allows the designer to create
a whimsical flirty skirt that softy floats in the wind for a beach front ceremony and twirls on the dance floor at
the reception. These flirty modern lengths lend to different skirt styles such as full feathers and structural
fabric manipulations.

 

Asymmetrical Necklines:

Michele Obama helped bring the one shoulder fashion trend to the forefront and designers like BHLDN and
Anna Maier included this trend in their 2012 collection. The draping from the shoulder to the waistline
elongates the bodice and gives a slenderizing appearance. 

 

Sleek Silhouette:

Mermaid silhouettes and strong waistbands are a definite retro style from the 50’s and brides love that these
gowns show off the hard work they have done at their Pilates classes. These gowns emphasis the bride’s
shapely and hourglass figure. Subtle ruching and draping with soft fabrics can create a figure hugging
affect that personifies this style, while more structured fabrics can be designed to create an corset like
tailored look. 

 

Tiers and Ruffles:

Tiers make a wedding dress fun to dance and spin around in circles in, not to mention that they add some
character. Lovely as this trend might be, do note that tiers are not for every body type. Tiers help add shape
to skirts and create a wider silhouette. Tall lanky brides and brides with athletic figures will look great in a
tiered wedding dress with lots of layers, but these will only widen the silhouette of full-figured brides.
Petite brides are also advised to stay away from this trend, especially if the tiers are located near the hem
of the skirt. Tiers make horizontal lines that cut the long, unbroken silhouette that should give the illusion
of height.

 

Don’t forget the Back:

Designers have been focusing a lot of attention to the view from behind this year, and rightfully so since
most of your guests will be looking at it for the whole ceremony.  Using dramatic cuts, asymmetrical straps,
and traditional lace and bead embellishments designers such as Elizabeth Filmore and Nicole Miller are
creating sexy yet elegant views.