7 Unique Style Tips to add to Your Classic Wedding Dress
There’s a reason why classic wedding dresses are still one of the most popular choices for brides. These timeless designs retain their charm and character through the years, and it’s really hard to go wrong with a traditional shape. The A-line dress, for example, is a wedding dress for all body types, but sometimes, we all want a little more. We want classic and timeless while still bringing in aspects of our own personality and making the dress feel truly ‘ours’.
So here are 7 simple yet unique details that can add a bit of ‘you’ to your classic wedding dress.
Pockets
Pockets are fast becoming one of the must-have wedding dress trends, and the real beauty of this trend is that it doesn’t take away from the classic look of the dress. Instead, it simply adds unique detail that’s not only beautiful but also practical. These pockets may well be on the small side, but they can be made plenty big enough to hold a special trinket such as an heirloom, or even a lipstick for quick and easy touch-ups during the day. Best of all, pockets are pretty easy for the right tailor, so adding this type of detailing can be quite a cost-effective way to jazz up your dress. However, it’s important to do a little research and find a tailor you’ll love. Ask to see some examples of their work before making a decision.
Seams
What a tailor can do for women extends way beyond simple pockets. Another minor alteration you may want to consider is having seams added to your dress. Once again, this sort of detail doesn’t detract from the classic style but does add just a touch of ornamentation that can be as understated or as bold as you like. Creating seams in the same colour as the dress itself adds a modest adornment that’s different, but not too ‘out there’. However, if you really wanted to add detailing that was a little more eye-catching, you could ask your tailor to create the seam in a contrasting colour stitching. It’s a common misconception that seams are only needed when altering the fit… why not make them a statement?
A Belt
If you’re not too keen on altering your dress (which you may not wish to do if the dress has been handed down from your mother or grandmother), there are other ways to add unique detail to a classic gown. A belt is one of them. We all know just how effective a good belt can be for adding style to any outfit, and it can do exactly the same for a wedding dress. Try out some different style of belt, everything from simple to bedazzled, from plain white to bold colours, from skinny to chunky, and find what works for your dress. And a great belt can do more than just add detail; it can also help to pull your waist in and highlight your figure, helping your dress to fit better and giving you lots of confidence on the big day.
Statement Bow
A good belt can add detailing to the front of your classic wedding dress, but if you’d rather add a bit more ‘wow’ to the back of your dress then a statement bow can be equally as good. For dresses that are embellished at the front but lack any sort of ornamentation at the rear, a bow is simple yet effective, and can successfully transform traditional dresses into something with a bit more flair. Bows can be as small, or as big as you want, so it’s important to have a play around with different lengths and thicknesses of ribbon (and even the colour of the ribbon) to find a style that suits you. A bow can be tied around your waist on the day, or you can secure the bow to the back of your dress using stitching or even pins.
Pops of Colour
Modern, coloured wedding dresses are becoming more and more popular, but you can still benefit from this vibrant and eye-catching trend while wearing a classic white, off-white, or ivory dress. How? By adding colourful detailing to your dress. And there are lots of ways to do this. We’ve already discussed adding a colourful belt, bow, and seam stitching to your dress, but there are plenty of other options, too. A coloured lace overlay can work well, as can coloured hems. And if you find that your dress does need to be altered, it’s worth speaking to your tailor about the possibility of adding a coloured panel into your dress. If you can’t decide on a colour, you can try picking your wedding colours with colour psychology.
Swap out a few things
Believe it or not, you may not need to actually do much to your classic wedding dress to give it a bit of unique style. In fact, your wedding dress may already have everything it needs to shine, although it may need a little helping hand to achieve its goals. If your wedding dress has a button or lace-up fastening, for example, consider swapping out the original buttons or ribbons for options that are a little more creative. By adding sparkly buttons or contrasting ribbon, you can add more of your own personality to your dress without actually making any alterations. Some swaps require a little more work, but if you’re willing to make alterations, you could swap thin straps for capped sleeves, or remove them entirely!
Add Embellishments
Finally, there are lots of different embellishments that you can add to your dress that don’t touch on the existing classic style but simply add a bit more detailing to your gown. Border trims and fringes can be pretty easy to add onto the bottom of your dress, and you may also wish to consider adding beading or sequins to jazz up some areas of the gown that are perhaps lacking in features. Another great option is lace appliques, which you can get in all sorts of colours, shapes, sizes, and patterns. These appliques can quickly and easily be applied to your dress, wherever you like them, allowing you to take control over the style of your dress. It’s a great alternative to lace overlays which can be a bit too much for some brides.
Your Dress, Your Way
One of the most important things to remember when choosing a wedding dress is that what you see isn’t always what you get! Some brides may love the fit and the feel of a dress, but be put off by the simplicity or lack of detailing. But this is something that can easily be changed. A classic dress is a bit like a blank canvas; it’s a fantastic base for creating a dress that’s really you, and which makes you feel great.
Sponsored post: Tony Kantzavelos is the owner of Love Your Tailor Toronto. Specializing in clothing alterations and tailoring since 1986. He loves customizing his relatives’ clothes and enjoys sharing his knowledge with anyone interested.
