In the past, brides devoted a lot of thought to their gown’s neckline – should I go sweetheart? Strapless? High-necked? The cut of a gown neckline very much announces the bride’s personal style, from classic to romantic to trendy to retro, and it’s said by designers that the neckline creates a frame for the bride’s face. And that is very much true. But now, inspired by the lovely wedding gowns gliding down the bridal fashion runways, brides’ attention has shifted to shoulder design as well….for the very same reasons of personal style and a frame to the face. But we can add that shoulder design on a dress also leads into the lovely trends of long sleeves, or extends down along the bride’s ribcage to soften the look of a plunging back.
It all starts with the shoulder design on a wedding gown. It grabs the spotlight.
Right now, shoulder flair is a top trend, and lace is a big reason why all eyes are on shoulder design right now. Several major designers have given interviews saying how much they love sleeves right now – long, short and three-quarter length – and that strapless dresses may very well be bumped from brides’ dream dress wishlists since the array of shoulder accenting adds so much sensuality and refinement to a wedding gown. ‘Sophisticated coverage’ is the buzzword phrase for sleeves in wedding gown trends for 2013 and 2014, and sleeves start at a pretty shoulder.
Here are some of the leading trends in wedding gown shoulder accenting and design:
It all starts with the shoulder design on a wedding gown. It grabs the spotlight.
Right now, shoulder flair is a top trend, and lace is a big reason why all eyes are on shoulder design right now. Several major designers have given interviews saying how much they love sleeves right now – long, short and three-quarter length – and that strapless dresses may very well be bumped from brides’ dream dress wishlists since the array of shoulder accenting adds so much sensuality and refinement to a wedding gown. ‘Sophisticated coverage’ is the buzzword phrase for sleeves in wedding gown trends for 2013 and 2014, and sleeves start at a pretty shoulder.
Here are some of the leading trends in wedding gown shoulder accenting and design:
• Delicately-beaded lace cap sleeves, as part of the Gatsby-inspired trend of art décor-inspired beading effect. An array of these at Justin Alexander revealed dazzling hand-sewn artistry that revitalizes the ornate beading styles of the 1920s to 1930s era.
• Bead-embellished illusion netting creating the shoulder effect, in traditional wider strap design, worn off the shoulder, or in a flutter sleeve incarnation. At Justin Alexander, for instance, a flutter cap sleeve with simple illusion bateau neckline is marking the trend of a classic bodice and neckline with a touch of accenting at the shoulders.
• Lace cap sleeves, constructed not in the round bubble of past seasons’ designs but in a shoulder form-skimming construction.
• Lace flutter sleeves
• Lace flutter sleeves
• Illusion netting-based shoulder fabric, embellished with a wide array of simple to complex beading.
• Illusion netting-based shoulder fabric, embellished with a wide array of different lace effects, from traditional Alencon-type laces to more artistic, couture laces in larger patterns, with a satin trim at the hem. Claire Pettibone does this look to perfection, with sheer fabrics accented with unique and artistic lace embellishments. Her lace is so pretty, it’s often showcased without the illusion layer, a splay of eye-catching shape and intricacy against the bride’s skin.
• Illusion netting-based shoulder fabric, embellished with a wide array of different lace effects, from traditional Alencon-type laces to more artistic, couture laces in larger patterns, with a satin trim at the hem. Claire Pettibone does this look to perfection, with sheer fabrics accented with unique and artistic lace embellishments. Her lace is so pretty, it’s often showcased without the illusion layer, a splay of eye-catching shape and intricacy against the bride’s skin.
• Off the shoulder pleated fabric lace extension.
• Fluttery gossamer fabric in layers at the shoulder, as seen at Karen Willis and other bridal fashion designers, for wispy, ethereal movement as the bride walks; with or without a jeweled top-of-shoulder accent
• A perfectly-placed simple seam at the start of a long, fabric sleeve (like the Bella Swan wedding dress in Twilight, named to several ‘best movie wedding dress’ lists.) The simple elegance of no embellishments, just the length of the arm being balletic and sophisticated, is a standout trend that again lets the bride’s face and hair capture the spotlight.
And then there’s the one-shouldered look, which is one of the primary trends for gown designs in 2013 and 2014. In a variety of styles, from Grecian pleated to smooth and sophisticated, fabric, lace, illusion netting, with sparkle, without sparkle, the one-shouldered look is au courant and seen in many designers’ collections for this fall and next spring. The shoulder design is most often strappy on the one shoulder, without a cap sleeve, baring the top of the arm to counter the covered-up majority of the bride’s chest, and that one shoulder strap provides the lift and support that a strapless gown lacks. In both long and short dress styles.
Finally, we have the jacket worn over the dress, with long or short sleeves, most often in lace. At Justin Alexander, a Queen Anne cap sleeve tulle and lace jacket captures great attention right now for the bride who wishes to cover up her shoulders for her house of worship’s rules, but then wants to remove the jacket to reveal bare arms, shoulders, a plunging back, perhaps a daring front V, or other styles the house of worship does not favor. A jacket adds a second shoulder look to the bride’s ensemble, perhaps giving her the opportunity for a more voluminous shoulder cap, plus a lay-flat, sparkling, jeweled shoulder accent underneath.
Finally, we have the jacket worn over the dress, with long or short sleeves, most often in lace. At Justin Alexander, a Queen Anne cap sleeve tulle and lace jacket captures great attention right now for the bride who wishes to cover up her shoulders for her house of worship’s rules, but then wants to remove the jacket to reveal bare arms, shoulders, a plunging back, perhaps a daring front V, or other styles the house of worship does not favor. A jacket adds a second shoulder look to the bride’s ensemble, perhaps giving her the opportunity for a more voluminous shoulder cap, plus a lay-flat, sparkling, jeweled shoulder accent underneath.
About the Author: Sharon Naylor is the bestselling author of over 35 wedding books for brides, bridesmaids and the mothers of the bride and groom. Her titles have spent time in the #1 book, e-book and wishlist spots on Amazon and BN.com for their categories.
