10 Wrong Answers To Common Women's Wedding Dresses Questions Do You Know Which Ones?

Trends in Women's Wedding Dresses

The wedding dress is a symbol of purity, marriage, and love. It also relates to identity as women gain and regain their identities through the dress selection process.

From One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush to former Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci, check out how designers have transformed the bridal gown over the decades.

The 1950s

After the war, women turned at Hollywood models for inspiration on their wedding gowns. Instead of consulting their local dressmaker they went to high-fashion bridal salons and department stores to find their dream gown. This also led to bridal shows that let brides-to-be to view the latest trends before deciding on their purchase.

The dresses were typically full and voluminous. They were rounded in shape and lots of lace detailing and an elegant bodice that slid into the full skirt. This style was often coupled with a peplum waistline and [Redirect-302] brides chose to wear the wide belt that they could tie in their waists. Many brides wore a bird cage veil to complete the look.

Lace was a wildly popular fabric in the 1950s. It was seen everywhere from gloves to veils, to gowns. Sweetheart necklines with sleeves were popular for those who wanted to look more feminine. Some covered the top of their collarbones with sheer fabric to appear modest. The floral options were also very diverse. Elizabeth Taylor chose yellow daffodils, while Jackie Kennedy selected white and pink orchids with gardenia. These flowers were typically tied with a small white bow.

The 1960s

In the 1960s, there wasn't an overarching fashion trend and, as a result dresses were more flexible than ever. Some brides opted for tight gowns, inspired by models such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton. Other women opted for various styles, from crocheted lace to velvet minis to chiffon adorned with prints that were psychedelic. Some were long, while some were below the knee and are called micro-minis.

There was no standard style for wedding dresses However, there were some key moments that would shape the look of bridal gowns for the years to come. For instance princess Diana absolutely nailed the "more is more" style when she was married in 1981 with a massive taffeta dress with a slouchy shoulder and an lace V-neck. Her dress was a legend and was a major influence on brides across the globe.

In the same time the rock superstar Lulu made her debut in a white mini dress that had an over-sized hood that quickly became a trendsetter. In the decade of the '90s the ready-to-wear clothing industry exploded and many brides opted for the finest fabrics that their families could afford for their wedding day. They were able to pair these dresses with sleek, slicked-back hair and silver accessories, making them the ultimate bridal style.

The 1970s

The '70s brought the age of hippie chic wedding gowns. This included flowing designs, loose silhouettes, and relaxed designs to show individuality. Many brides also chose to wear dresses that were not white during this decade to show their individuality and breaking from the traditional bridal sartorial norms.

It was the first time in the history of weddings that brides wore a color other than white mini dress bridal for wedding ceremonies. Queen Victoria introduced this idea. Ladies wore their most elegant gowns for the wedding regardless of regardless of whether it was blue or pink.

The designers of the Seventies incorporated the hippy look into fashion, with an emphasis on hand-made materials and details. The use of embroidery, crochet, patchwork and other techniques were a hit. Repurposed craft fair fabrics with embroidery were also in style. In the 1970s the midi dress became more popular as a kind of wedding dress. The dresses were a mix of casual comfort and formal elegance, as seen in this silk creation by Zandra Rhodes.

The lace-up body was another prominent trend. This style was designed to draw attention towards the bust area, since it created a more sensual and attractive appearance. It was also reminiscent Victorian styles as seen on the custom David Emmanuel gown worn by Marian Rivera at her 1981 wedding to actor Dingdong Dante.

The '80s

When Queen Victoria was married to Prince Albert in 1840, the bridal style was transformed. The white dress was thought of as an indication of wealth and a show of consumption before that time, since it was difficult to keep formal attire white after use (Baird 142). Victoria's wedding was the first time that a gown became a standard for brides who were not royals. She chose white in order to emphasize the intricate lacework of her gown. It was also a practical decision. She wanted to demonstrate to her guests that she was a smart and responsible young woman who could be trusted with the role of queen, wife and mother.

The 1930s saw a return to simplicity as brides sought out dresses that were both practical and fashionable. Due to the constraints of budgets and rationing, many brides wore wedding dresses. Silk dresses with high necklines, long sleeves and a high neckline were fashionable for those who could afford them. For those who couldn't, brides would make use of rayon to create the same style.

In the 70s the brides shifted away from their extravagant ball gowns to more slim, column-style gowns. Some brides chose gowns that had puffy sleeves. The hemlines of skirts decreased, and a number of women wore veils that were replaced with sophisticated hats.

The 90s

The 1990s brought a new style of minimalism. Brides wanted a simpler gown that let their natural beauty and radiance shine through. In this era gowns were unadorned and simple, yet still exuded elegant thanks to their elegant designs.

The decade also saw the return to formality following the wartime austerity which included gowns with cathedral trains and puff sleeves. Princess Diana's wedding dresses bridal gowns dress of 1981 that included the lace and a 24-foot train was a major source of inspiration.

Sleeves were long and frothy and necklines were high. The hippy era also saw a revival of strapless dresses, and intricate details such as embroidery and beads made a comeback. For hair, teased bouffants and pixie cuts inspired by British model Twiggy were popular as were heavy black eyeliner and pink frizzling lips.

Ultimately, the '90s brought with them a sense of nostalgia, which helped to create the classic wedding dress that we know and love today. These gowns are timeless and well-loved because they provide a look that's both traditional and completely modern. Shop Lulus' collection of '90s silhouette wedding dresses with sleeves gowns to find your perfect look!

The '00s

In the '00s, brides opted for dresses that were sculpted and accentuated their curves. Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen dress, with its lace bodice, padded hips and 25-foot train as well as a stunning skirt of tulle, with puff sleeves, is still popular today.

As the decade progressed increasing numbers of women began to abandon white and go for a range of hues for their big day. The non-white gowns were all the rage even if it was only a pop colour in their wedding shoes or floral head crown. More and more couples chose to have smaller weddings that featured fewer extravagant extras.

Designers continue to incorporate this beautiful design element into their designs. Other features that were popular in this decade were bows, ranging from small cute ones to enormous stunning embellished ones, which most brides like to add to their appearance. Another trend is the additions of trains and capes. They are typically removable and can completely change the look and feel.

The 21st Century

The 21st century marked a new era for wedding dresses that aren't traditional. The brides of today don't shy away from bold choices. From entrepreneur Olivia Palermo's Carolina Herrera lace dress to reality TV star Whitney Port’s floral tulle gown - they're not afraid of being different.

Unlike the '80s where Dior's cinched waists and princess-line gowns made an enormous impact, the 90s saw a more laid-back bridal look. Designer Vera Wang started her first bridal boutique with a collection of strapless, figure-hugging dresses which were perfect for the modern bride. They were also paired beautifully with slicked-back up-dos.

In the 1940s, silk production was limited due to wartime rationing. Brides were dressed in Sunday clothes or re-created versions of their spouse's suits. This was in keeping with the "make-do and repair" mentality at the time. As silk was replaced by rayon, brides began to wear patterned and colored fabrics, especially red, as it symbolized romance and love.

Recently A-listers have blurred the lines between catwalk couture and bridal options with designers such as Alexander Wang and Virgil Abloh creating custom wedding dresses that nod to traditional white but are decidedly more contemporary. With the changing laws around same-sex marriage and an increasing understanding of feminism, today's bride is free to choose whatever she wants on her big day.