Fashion

Brides today know what they want and are letting designers know. It's an exciting time to be checking out wedding fashions.

"Today's brides have already been in their friends' weddings, and attended other weddings. They want to look different from their friends. They want to have their own statement when they walk down the aisle," says Linda Shaps-Shanin, Vice president and General Merchandise Manager of bridal gowns for David's Bridal. Speaking from her New York office, Linda identified several new design trends for fall and winter. From refined to romantic, the differences among these new looks emphasize modern brides' individuality.

Changes
The slim sophisticated mermaid is "really happening," Linda says. "I have five new styles with this trend." Fabrics, too, are changing, she says. Lace has always been important, but now it's becoming an overall fabric, not just in the trim, and David's is premiering several new lace dresses. "Wine Country" is one of them. A pickup lace gown with a colored sash, it speaks to the personalization of gowns, Linda says. "More customers are coordinating gown colors with their bridesmaids dresses, with their linens, with their colors in general, and they're doing it with sash and trim details."

At the other end of the design spectrum, the romantic styles are featuring a feminine ball gown look in tulle fabric. "It's very romantic and dramatic, with the full skirts," Linda says.

Thanks to Hollywood stars' leading the fashion way, major change is occurring with necklines and sleeves. In the spring, strapless gowns accounted for 65% of David's Bridal sales. But now, more brides are requesting other options, Linda says, including halters and cap sleeves.

Alice Wang, owner of the new boutique The Gown, sees a trend to the simple, elegant styles. Caroline De Villo's understated look, with colored sashes and lace and Chia Lieu's stunning sleek and modern lines are two of her favorite examples. She agrees with Linda that brides want their gowns to be unique. "We can customize gowns for them," Alice says.

Cheryl Lyon, owner of Bridal Chic Salon, says her clients are stepping away from strapless in favor of the plunging v-neck style. The mermaid and trumpet body-conscious silhouettes her brides want are silky, "made of fun materials.

"They're getting away from heavy beaded ball gowns," she says. Instead, fabrics are lighter, flowing and soft, such as tulle and light lace. "Lace is back," she says. "It's part of a vintage romance that's soft and feminine." Veils are shorter and plainer, too, she says.

Destination Wedding Wear
A practical decision is accounting for some brides' inclination to lighter fabrics and more classic styling, Linda and Cheryl say. It's destination weddings.

"My number one dress of 144 in the collection is a sexy open-back dress meant for destinations," Linda says. "We're selling thousands of this dress annually."

Because it has no construction underneath, such as slips and petticoats, it's easy to pack, even in a simple garment bag.

It's also less formal for outdoor weddings at tropical destinations, including San Diego. "Destination brides on the beach want something less formal without much embellishment," Cheryl says.

"More brides are getting away from the big church wedding," Linda says. "If you go away, you'll have fewer guests and a more inexpensive event."