Our Fashion Director's 11 Favorite Wedding Dresses for Fall 2017

BRIDES Fashion Director Elle Strauss gave Fashionista a little glimpse into her favorite wedding dresses from the most Bridal Runways. Here, her 11 picks from the season as told to Fashionista.

Fall 2017 bridal coverage wouldn’t be complete without a top list of the best dresses, right? But considering the sheer number of dreamy dresses (and pants!) we’ve seen all week, that’s a pretty ambitious task. So, we decided to divide and conquer and share responsibilities for a best-of list with BRIDES Fashion Director Elle Strauss. After an intense strategy session phone call with the fashion veteran, we distilled all the shows and presentations down to 11 of our favorite dresses (sorry, no pants this time).

Scroll down for our picks, and don’t forget to check out the biggest trends for the next bridal season, too.

I have always loved tulle, even before my time at Brides. If I were to get married again, I would be swathed in tulle. I love the fact that [the dress] is so clean, but it’s still very, very pretty and has that princess element. And the way that Vera designed it — it’s very sensual. It just felt very modern, but with its finger in the classic tulle wedding dress aesthetic. I also just love how [Vera Wang] styled it. She used very, very loose braids and statement earrings. The whole thing just looks fresh, modern and fashion fashion forward. — Elle Strauss

What I love about Monique [Lhuillier] is she rarely does pure white. She always [designs] a soft palette and when this dress came out, it was just breathtaking. I also like long sleeves. This is all I’ve been hearing during bridal week — more and more brides want long sleeves. I mean, this is just perfection. I feel like this one also speaks to every girl. With the illusion sleeve, you still have that hint of sexiness and it still makes a statement, but doesn’t wear you. I personally always like a little color to it as well. I love it. It’s an instant winner. — Elle Strauss

Reem Acra had a really strong show this season. It was so, so, so, so pretty. I had a hard time choosing which one, to be honest. And tulle, again! I hate to be one note, but I just love it. The cap sleeve felt a little different — very feminine and so delicate. I was just so impressed by this collection. — Elle Strauss

This one of the nicest [off-the-shoulder dresses that] I’ve seen. I love the way [the skirt] juts out right about her knee. Again, with the tulle, they worked that in there beautifully. It’s an update on the off-the-shoulder — before I felt people had done it quite clean, quite simple — whereas Marchesa is quite known for its intricacy and I feel like this has just been done to perfection. Again, it was a hard choice, I won’t lie. [The design is] something that says them, but then with something different as well. — Elle Strauss

It’s very English. [Her wedding is in a] garden and immediately her cake is a Victoria sponge cake. (Laughs) I just think that it just has that undone look. [Like] you didn’t try so hard, but ultimately you kind of really did. It’s like that secret; a very nice way of saying effortless. I aspire to wear all that tulle and everything, but ultimately this is what I would end up wearing, you know? — Elle Strauss

Picking a favorite from Viktor & Rolf’s debut (and museum-worthy) bridal collection might have been the hardest task of bridal week. While Elle loves the minimalist one-shoulder cape gown, I’m drawn to the 3D floral embellished dresses, especially this one. It’s structured and straightforward in shape, but so intricate and elaborate with the contrasting tiers of Japanese crepe and crystal flowers, beading and embroidery. Plus, the bottom layer unzips to transform the gown into a minidress — and I’m such a sucker for functionality. — Fawnia Soo Hoo

This dress by Israeli-born, South America-raised and Paris-based Yaniv Persy just makes me want to get married again (to the same person, of course). I love how the designer reinterpreted traditional elements of lace, flouncy ruffles and even pearls into a fresh and modern look with ribbon trim, subtle peekaboo effect and layers of cascading swirls. SO PRETTY. — Fawnia Soo Hoo

I admit, I do have an affinity for Elizabeth Fillmore because she made my wedding dress, but I really did a double take when I saw this rose and butterfly embroidered silk crepe slip gown in her showroom. I almost feel like a photo doesn’t do it justice (although I tried, too, via Instagram. I mean, look at the back!). The dress is so straightforward, but statement making at the same time. — Fawnia Soo Hoo

So, I ran into Lovely Bride founder Lanie List during bridal week and she told me that I must check out Odylyne the Ceremony’s Romeo and Juliet-themed “Star Crossed Lovers” collection. This light and easy ruffle gown is just so fun and refreshingly different from what I saw all week. (Apparently, ruffles = my tulle.) It’s almost preppy — with the adorable flouncy collar — but soft and romantic at the same time. (P.S.: Also into the lace Victorian neckline gown photobombing in the back.) — Fawnia Soo Hoo

Confession: I was never really into the long sleeve wedding dress until this season (Kate Middleton blasphemy, I know). This Naeem Khan gown is a perfect example of how (semi) covered up arms look just as sultry and modern as a bicep-baring slip or halter dress. And the embroidery… — Fawnia Soo Hoo

Photo: Rodin Banica / Indigitalimages.com
It’s not easy to do simple; it’s actually a lot harder because you can’t disguise anything, and really her fit was just perfection. And then to add in that little texture and these beautiful little headbands. The finale dress really captured the essence of her collection. — Elle Strauss

I agree. The texture was such a clever way to add playfulness to such a beautifully clean and classic silhouette. Plus, headbands really are the new tiara. — Fawnia Soo Hoo

This article originally appeared on Fashionista.