A few years ago, short bridal gowns were only seen at beach weddings or on a quick dash down the aisle in Las Vegas but bridal designers like Oscar de la Renta and Priscilla of Boston have recently pushed the informal look to the top of bridal fashion. Even Vogue has just featured a '50s style short dress in their latest wedding shoot feature.
There are many great reasons to keep your wedding dress short and sweet, not just because the ceremony is on a sun-kissed beach in Florida.
Why Wear a Short Length Wedding Dress?
- Short dresses are practical and comfortable to wear and won’t threaten to trip a bride up as she walks down the aisle.
- They are usually cheaper than a traditional gown due to simplicity of styling and less fabric used.
- Informal gowns are perfect for a last minute wedding as they can be bought off the peg, especially colored wedding dresses.
- They are the preferred choice for weddings in hot climates or on a beach when the weight of a long dress is simply too much to bear.
- It is far easier to dance in a short prom-style dress than a more traditional meringue-style gown plus the dress can double as a party frock after the wedding.
- Short wedding dresses mean the bride can show off her legs and her smart shoes, especially if they are from Manolo Blahnik!
Which Short Wedding Dress Length?
- Tea length dresses fall below the knee and are flattering to most shapes and sizes as they don’t show too much leg. They are ideal for the beach, garden or summer wedding using floaty fabrics or a swing-style skirt for a fashionable '50s look.
- Knee length dresses demand better legs but look very sexy on the right body shape.
- Above the knee wedding dresses or even the micro-mini are best left to women with ultra-long shapely legs or those who simply have bags of confidence!
Buying Short Wedding Dresses
The beauty about an informal wedding is that a casually styled dress need not cost a fortune.
- Look at bridesmaid dresses in pale colors which cost a fraction of the price of a traditional gown.
- If going for a colored wedding dress, perhaps due to a second marriage or just to be different, shop around in prom-dress shops to save money and have a wider choice.
- Look for so-called designer “diffusion” ranges in department stores. Debenhams, for example, in the UK offers affordable cocktail and prom-dresses that double perfectly as an informal bridal gown and cost as little as £100.
- Scour internet wedding and prom-dress sites for bargain little white dresses.
- If planning to use a dressmaker, be sure to check the fabric price per meter and negotiate on the price as a short dress will cost far less in fabric and simplicity of make.
Modern Brides Choose Short Wedding Dresses
For practicality, comfort and the latest fashion style, consider a short bridal gown for your big day. Dancing the night away will be easy in a neat little white dress or simply go for color to be totally different.
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Helen Smeaton - Helen Smeaton runs a cycling and hiking business and is also a freelance writer and web designer. Read her profile for more information
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