Date: Fri 05-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

brides-wedding-gown-styles

Full Text:

BRIDES: What's New, What's Coming Back, And What Brides Are Really Wearing

This Season

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Nothing is more personal than a bride's choice of a wedding gown, a dress

which expresses her vision of romantic fantasy. Designers are responding with

a greater range of choices than ever before available.

Melanie Mattegat, the co-owner of Julia Allen Bridals in Newtown, says brides

in this area are looking for gowns made in more elegant fabrics with beading

that is a little softer. "Simpler styles, finer fabrics, nicer laces -- the

old saying `less is more' fits well here," she said.

Designers at companies that produce gowns sold in Newtown agree. Priscilla

Campbell, a designer for House of Bianchi, located just outside Boston, said

styles are now basically in the middle of a trend toward "simple, simple,

simple."

"There will always be brides that want traditional gowns, with sleeves, but

the trend now is toward sleeveless," she said. "We are working with elegant

fabrics in beautiful cuts with small elegant details instead of lots of

`stuff.' Different kinds of very elegant silks. Soft fabrics are bigger --

chiffons and crepes."

Ms Campbell said she does see signs that the pendulum is beginning to swing in

the opposite direction, however.

"Touches of color are being added," she explained. "You used to see perhaps a

little pink in the embroidery but now it is a little more daring -- lavender,

silver. There are even entire gowns in almost platinum color satin instead of

white or ivory.

"I've even seen, on gowns in European magazines, touches of color like red in

the embroidery. I don't think we're ready for that yet," she said. "I think

the American look is different.

"There still will be that girl who wants to dress in yards of tulle and be a

princess but we do more gowns in A-line or [high] princess waist [styles].

Trains tend to be small, from chapel-length to a sweep of a few inches."

Headpieces also are smaller, closer to the head.

"The newest train is toward the tiara with pearls, rhinestones, even gold

metal -- small and understated. Some of the bridal magazines show the tiaras

without veils, but we are still making veils because the brides are still

wearing them," Ms Campbell said

Bridal consultants say brides are more romantic than ever and are guided by

their own vision of romance rather than by tradition. Designers are making

sure they have all the bases covered. On the runways last fall, many designers

offered sleek, body-hugging gowns; others were pushing for the comeback of

romantic styles with corset-style bodices and miles of tulle.

Viewers also noticed a return of lace and not only for subtle accents. Lace

often was a gown's counterpoint. Of course, someone had to combine everything:

Helen Morley unveiled a lace sheath. The fabric said classic, but the dress'

design was very modern.

Not only have many designers dispensed with sleeves, they are featuring

strapless styles, a look that shows off one of the best parts of a woman's

body, and off-the-shoulder bodices are also making a reappearance. Some gowns

feature strapless boned bodices, bathing-suit style tops with tiny wide-set

straps, as well as thank-top looks with narrow straps. Others have wide, open

necklines with wide-set, thin jeweled straps.

For a quick look at what is touted as "more than 8,000 gowns," check the

Internet at www.theknot.com. To narrow the search, the user is asked to

specify a price range, neckline style, gown style (A-line, bouffant), and, if

known, a particular designer. There also are a lot of other websites including

www.4wedding.com and www.4bride.com that feature information on bridal gowns.

Unless a bride is planning to buy a ready-to-wear dress or a sample gown, she

needs to allow nine to 12 months for her order to be completed. Whatever

choice is made, it's a good idea to "sleep" on the decision, at least

overnight, before placing any order. Usually a deposit is required; most

stores have very strict cancellation and refund policies.

When a gown is ordered, be sure the order includes all of the following

information: the size, the price, the manufacturer, the style and model

number, any custom features, and the promised delivery date.