Photo: Courtesy of Lydia Hearst via Instagram
When Queen Victoria tied the knot with Prince Albert in 1840, little did she know that the white lace and silk satin dress she wore (an unusual choice at the time) would set fashion precedence for brides for centuries to come. Quickly adapted by the elite of the Victorian era, the white floor-length wedding dress became a status symbol synonymous with expensiveness and exclusivity. Over the years, the white gown has become mainstream, a tradition that brides naturally picture most when dreaming about their big day.
But does that still ring true today? While the white wedding dress remains the number one go-to, alternative styles are on the rise. Carolina Herrera and Lakum showed off chic pantsuits on the runways, BHLDN and Free People feature gorgeous styles of boho wedding dress separates in their latest collections, and colors and florals are making an appearance among many designers, from Heidi Elnora to Ines Di Santo.
These untraditional looks are coming at a time when brides want to personalize everything about their wedding, from their reception space down to the very gown they wear, in order to celebrate their individuality. And designers are certainly recognizing this fact. Here are some of our favorite alternative bridal trends. Which one suits you?
Photo: Courtesy of Ines Di Santo
Florals
Scoot over, plain Jane — florals make a bold, feminine, and flirty statement on any wedding gown. From dreamy watercolor petals to vivacious blooms, flowers have been appearing in all shapes and forms on wedding dresses over the past few years. It’s a whole new spin on the princess look.
Photo: Courtesy of Christian Siriano for Kleinfeld
Colors
Whether it’s a Cinderella blue, blush pink, or bold red, a colored wedding dress speaks to a bride’s unique personality. The best part about this trend is that it’s available in a variety of styles, from soft pastels and bright hues to an ombré effect and colored embroidery on an otherwise white dress — so you can choose just how daring you want to be.
Photo: Courtesy of Lela Rose
Pantsuit
This menswear-inspired trend walked more than one catwalk in recent bridal shows. Often seen as a powersuit, a crisp pair of trousers lends an air of confidence to any bride who steps in them. Typically paired with a chic blazer, collared button-down, or trim vest, this contemporary look speaks to trendsetters.
Photo: Courtesy of Theia
Jumpsuit
The cousin of the pantsuit, the jumpsuit follows the trend of pants but in one piece instead of two. Often a bit more airy and delicate, bridal jumpsuits come in a range of designs and creative silhouettes to fit your personal style — the options are surprisingly plentiful.
Photo: Courtesy of Pnina Tornai for Kleinfeld
Cropped Separates
The trendy boho look that went mainstream has trickled down to the bridal industry in the way of two-piece separates that typically highlight a strip of abs. Perfect for the laid back bride, this style can be equal parts chic, edgy, glamorous, or romantic.
Photo: Courtesy of Ines Di Santo
Waterfall Hemline
Can’t decide between a short dress and a long dress? No problem. Whitney Port really set off the craze for the high-low hemline when she sported the look herself at her 2015 nuptials. If you have legs for miles, this is one way to strut your stuff!
See More: The Top 16 Wedding Dresses from Bridal Fashion Week