It’s your big day. You want to look calm, happy, gorgeous and unforgettable.
Finding the wedding dress of your dreams is one thing, but finding a dress you love AND a dress that fits, flatters and makes you look like a star is not a job for the faint of heart.
Read on for our Trend Tips and a glimpse of some of the best bridal dresses of the season.
Whether your style is traditional and sweet or modern and (dare we say?) slightly sexy, it’s all right here in this special edition of our weekly fashion and beauty update.
Take a bowThe bow is back in a big way, and its feminine flair is a lovely way to add style to your wedding ensemble. Bow details are an integral part of many romantic bridal gowns. In tiny form, they add a delicate touch that can have a big impact when repeated in multiples. (There are even gowns with hundreds of bows running down the back and train of the dress, which can be quite stunning.) In medium sizes, they can be found working overtime, whether sweeping up layers and tiers with aplomb or adorning a hemline. Bows also assume center-stage status as single, oversized statements at the bodice, waist or hip, often in a contrasting color or fabric.
Trend Tip:Think you should steer away from bows because you want to look chic, rather than sweet or romantic? Don’t jump to a conclusion — an oversized, floppy bow in silk satin will add a touch of glamour to a very streamlined dress, so try one on before you make a final decision.
Trend Tip: When choosing a sheer capelet, wrap or shawl, whether it’s part of the dress or a separate piece, go for the most expensive fabric you can afford. You will definitely be able to see (and feel) the difference!
Trend Tip: When wearing something so slinky and spare, your undergarments must be absolutely perfect. You want to avoid lines, of course, but also make sure that you are covered up underneath — no see-through opportunities when glimpsed under bright lights or (heaven forbid) captured on film!
Trend Tip: Make sure you can live with your color choice for decades to come. You don’t want to look back at your wedding photos or video and ask yourself, “What was I thinking?” The same applies to your choices in bridesmaid dresses and colors.
Trend Tip: When your back is on display, make sure your skin is in tip-top condition! If you have any issues, you best bet is to visit a dermatologist well ahead of time to clear up any problems, and to invest in a skin-care program that you’ll use every day for several months ahead of your wedding date. If you’re going to bare all, then create the most gorgeous skin possible.
Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more, you can visit her Web site, , which highlights style trends in America.
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