January 2006

Your Day, Your Way

No matter their age, brides need a stylish look that demands the attention they deserve.

by Loukia Borrell

When Camilla Parker Bowles married Prince Charles, she suddenly went from Perpetually Plain Parker Bowles to Camilla The Chic. All it took was wearing wedding day outfits that garnered rave reviews from the press and public. Her attire—an oyster silk, basket-weave coat and a chiffon dress for the civil ceremony and a porcelain blue silk dress for the prayer and dedication service—took her from frumpy to fabulous.

The bigger picture, however, is that the Duchess of Cornwall showed the world how brides of any age can look spectacular and memorable. “I just think a girl should go with her heart,” says Karen Eagle, owner of Karen Eagle bridal boutique in Virginia Beach. “We rarely have situations where people are completely off base.”

Though no one should be limited in their bridal attire choices, here are some suggestions and trends sure to flatter and make you look fierce, no matter your age.

20 AND TRENDY

Brides in their 20s are very fashion forward, says Kathleen Murray, weddings editor for The Knot. These brides are most likely to try a gown that is daring and sexy, such as plunging necklines and form-fitting designs. They also are very willing to try innovative designers like Monique Lhuillier, who designed Britney Spears’ wedding dress. While it is good to stay ahead of the curve, Murray says brides also need to stay in good taste. “Just watch the fine line, if you are going to be in a church, especially. You want to dress appropriately for your setting,” she says.

Maya Warburton, president of Tiffanys by Maya bridal boutique in Norfolk, says the biggest mistake made by 20-something brides is “that they choose a silhouette that is too mature for them or not the best figure-flattering style.” She suggests brides-to-be try on dresses and ask themselves, “Is this too much dress for my body?” Don’t let a dress overshadow your natural beauty, she says. At Tiffanys, Warburton sees younger brides going for strapless gowns and those that lace up the back, for a corseted look. “Brides in their 20s can really push the envelope in terms of selecting a gown that may be a bit non-traditional and that is infused with color, short or asymmetrical hemlines or distinctive ornamentation,” Warburton says.

SOPHISTICATED 30

Brides in their 30s play the dressing game a little safer, Murray says, and go with sophisticated, polished looks. Murray uses words like “classic, beautiful and simple” to describe these brides. Women know the trends, but they tend to downplay them, she says. Carolina Herrera and Richard Tyler are two designers popular with this age group.

Strapless gowns, big skirts, fitted bodices and trumpet or fluted skirts are all popular with these brides. “It is a matter of tastefulness and something that works with your figure,” Eagle says. Many women in their 30s are just getting around to marrying, after spending their 20s establishing careers. Eagle says they still want to feel like princesses. “Half of my brides are in that age range,” she says.

40 WITH FLAIR

If a bride is in her 40s, Murray says, she either is going to be more daring because she is mature and confident or vintage a la Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn. White is still fine because “these days it just symbolizes weddings and celebrations,” though skin tone really is more important than age in determining what color to wear. Older brides often opt for a dress with color, like champagne, gold, blush or pale blue. “Light gold has been hot lately,” says Kathryn Wagner, bridal consultant for All The Rage Bridal in Virginia Beach.

Another must for the older bride is to purchase a gown or dress that can be worn again to a dinner party or formal affair. For those who still want a fairytale wedding, veils and trains are acceptable, but Wagner warns against going overboard. “We try to guide them to the style that best suits their shape,” she says. One way to keep a wedding dress with all the trimmings from looking too youthful is to shorten or remove the train, she says.