Top Wedding Dress Trends for 2009/10

So you’re looking for your wedding dress, possibly the most important dress you’ll every buy, and you want to know about the latest wedding dress trends.

You’re not a slave to fashion, but you catch ‘Gok’ whenever you can and regularly peruse ‘Look’ for the latest styles and bargains on the High Street.

You want a wedding dress you’ll still love in years to come, but that also shows you’re on the ball, the girl with the inside track, the one that knows what’s hot and what’s not. You’re bored with the endless parade of strapless, full dresses, and want something a bit different.

And, most importantly, you want it all at a bargain price!

So where do you start? Well, here’s a guide to this year’s wedding dress trends to get your started:

The short dress

For those of you who don’t like to run with the pack, the short dress may be the answer to your prayers – especially if you’re going for a more relaxed day anyway. There are many of them around this year, often strapless with full skirts. So get those beautiful pins out and show them off – and what better excuse to show off some lovely shoes! And it solves the ‘how do I dance in this??’ dilemma.

The one-shoulder dress

Another one for those of you who want something a bit different, the one shoulder dress gives you a modern edge without being too ‘out there’. It screams out ‘style’ and ‘sexy’ at the same time – not always an easy balance to achieve. And it’s perfect for those of you with toned arms and shoulders.

The detailed dress

Bows, beads, ribbons and lace are still big news for this year’s hot dresses – as long as it’s subtle, feminine and elegant. Roses on the hip or shoulder give a very feminine look which means they are an obvious choice for a wedding gown.

The pocket is another popular detail that’s crossed over to bridal wear. Very ‘now’ and practical too – no more need to rely on others for that tissue when the tears flow or lippy when you need a top-up!

The colourful dress

Both soft pastel colours and bright splashes have been seen on the runway this year. Crimson or black will suit the bold bride looking to make a real statement and will set the tone for a lively and upbeat day, whilst the paler shades of lavender or biscuit are very feminine and romantic whilst still standing out from the crowd.

The Grecian column dress

A dress to hide a multitude of sins whilst still allowing you to be a goddess! This soft-falling style means you can hide any ‘issues’ you may have with your hips and tummy whilst showing off a gorgeous bust.

And it opens up exciting possibilities for accessories and hair – tumbling curls, gold bangles, embellished sandals. Let your imagination run wild!

The ruffled or layered dress

Whether organza, lace, chiffon or something more exotic like feathers, ruffles and layers were big news on the catwalk for this year. Depending on the style it can be ultra-romantic or ultra stylish (and in some cases, both). Think waterfalls of lace on the skirt or fun and flirty ruffles around the bodice.

The mermaid dress

Tight fitting to below the hip and then flaring out, the mermaid dress is sexy and feminine for the bride who wants something a bit different to the traditional ball gown shape. It shows off your figure, but can also be very feminine with lace or bead detailing.

So can you have the latest trends on a budget? Of course you can! Look carefully and you’ll find many of these trends have been around before in some guise or other, so hunt through the sites that sell second hand dresses and you’ll find plenty of hidden gems. Or find the best combination of the latest trends for your shape and style and get a good dressmaker to make your very own designer dress. And with the pressure on bridal boutiques to sell, sell, sell in these difficult times, you’ll also find some great prices on samples from the designers themselves.

I hope that gives all you budding Beckhams an idea of where to start in your hunt for your fabulously fashionable frock, but remember – no matter how trendy it may be, the most important quality of any wedding dress is that it makes you look amazing! Happy hunting!

Claire Ingram runs Worn Once With Love, launched in early 2009 to help brides find a heavenly wedding dress at a down to earth price. Worn Once With Love sells second hand and ex sample wedding dresses and bridesmaid, flower girl & prom dresses, but unlike most resellers of once worn dresses Claire vets and buys all the dresses herself so brides can try them on at her studio in Worcestershire. View the dresses at www.wornoncewithlove.co.uk

Last Updated: June 27, 2009