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Right In White
Pippa mania may be subsiding. But, by virtue of what she wore as the maid of honor at Catherine Middleton’s wedding, the famous royal sister may be jump starting a new trend in white bridesmaid dresses. Her slinky, cowl-neck gown in ivory by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen has inspired knock-offs (the A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz version hits Lord & Taylor stores in July) and has bridal designers and retailers planning ahead for white versions of their bridesmaid designs.
“We just finished [designing] our spring 2012 collection and each one has a few ivory dresses in it,” says Vivian Dessy Diamond, owner and creative director of The Dessy Group, a New York-based manufacturer of bridesmaid gowns under such labels as Lela Rose Bridesmaid and Alfred Sung. “We’re also giving stores the option of carrying dress samples in white.”
All white weddings aren’t new (Diamond herself had a white affair), but it takes a confident bride to outfit her wedding party in a color similar to hers, lest she be overshadowed. (Note that since the wedding Pippa has been generating as much – if not more – publicity than her big sis.) The timing of the look is right, say wedding experts, since modern-day weddings are less about rules and more about the couple.
“Today’s bride has become more open to broadened color palettes,” says Maria Prince, vice president of sales at Dallas-based Watters, whose bridesmaid gowns include strapless dresses in ivory satin and oyster frost dupioni.
Bridget Brown, founder of Bella Bridesmaid Franchises, which has 41 stores across the U.S., has catered to a number of brides who opt for white weddings, especially those on the beach; one asked her guests to wear white, and another opted to wear blue while her wedding party wore white.
“It provides a soft, subtle clean look,” Brown says. “The emphasis is on the backdrop, not on the bridesmaids.”
Designers are putting their own spin and tone on the look to ensure the dresses don’t mimic a bridal gown. Instead of stark white, they’re embracing colors like vanilla, antique and sahara. Others are accenting the dress. The Dessy Group’s spring 2012 collection will include gowns with black lace trim and colorful sashes.
For more casual weddings, Brown suggests chiffon bridesmaid dresses for a flowy, ethereal look. Crepe dresses, a la Pippa’s, are a better match for formal weddings. Pair the dresses with metallic or nude shoes for a seamless look; white shoes draw attention to the feet.
Prince encourages brides to consider the shapes and sizes of her bridesmaids since white isn’t always the most slimming color. Another option is to pick the color and let the bridesmaids chose their gowns, whether it’s a one-shoulder look or a spaghetti style.
“The key is to make sure it doesn’t look like 12 brides are getting married,” Brown says.
© Brides365
[Image: Watters, Dessy/Lela Rose, Alfred Angelo]