Thanks to the New York Bridal Fashion Week held in mid-October, brides-to-be are immersed in fresh wedding gown ideas. Cropped tops, Hippie style and two-piece gowns are just some of the latest ideas from designer brands. Here are a few examples from my favorite designer brands’ Spring/ Summer 2015 collections:
(Images: Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Bliss by Monique Lhuillier, Alfred Angelo, Claire Pettibone, Lusan Mandongus, Theia, Ivy & Aster, Vivienne Westwood)
1. Oscar de la Renta
The late American designer specialized in eveningwear with regal, voluminous trains that make heads turn on red carpets.
The late American designer specialized in eveningwear with regal, voluminous trains that make heads turn on red carpets.
2. Vera Wang
No one doubts Vera Wang’s magical powers. Her dreamy, three-dimensional gowns with iconic fluffy skirts look good on almost every figure and continue to be a benchmark for wedding attire.
No one doubts Vera Wang’s magical powers. Her dreamy, three-dimensional gowns with iconic fluffy skirts look good on almost every figure and continue to be a benchmark for wedding attire.
3. Carolina Herrera
The American designer offers a wide range of versatile silhouettes from season to season. Her designs are modern-looking and often come with an element of surprise.
The American designer offers a wide range of versatile silhouettes from season to season. Her designs are modern-looking and often come with an element of surprise.
4. Bliss by Monique Lhuillier
More often than not, Monique Lhuillier’s wedding gowns are sweet and romantic, flattering brides in terms of style and silhouette. Ivory and soft pinks are often featured in the designer’s creations.
More often than not, Monique Lhuillier’s wedding gowns are sweet and romantic, flattering brides in terms of style and silhouette. Ivory and soft pinks are often featured in the designer’s creations.
5. Alfred Angelo
Every little girl has a Disney princess fantasy. At the New York Bridal Show, Alfred Angelo debuted the latest addition to his Disney Fairy Tale Bridal Collection: a glittering gown inspired by Elsa from Frozen.
Every little girl has a Disney princess fantasy. At the New York Bridal Show, Alfred Angelo debuted the latest addition to his Disney Fairy Tale Bridal Collection: a glittering gown inspired by Elsa from Frozen.
6. Claire Pettibone
Pettibone’s designs are not for everyone. They feature vintage laces, figure-hugging fabrics and an empire waistline – I personally doubt if I could pull off her designs! However if you’re dreaming of a Gatsby-inspired wedding, Claire Pettibone is the designer of choice.
Pettibone’s designs are not for everyone. They feature vintage laces, figure-hugging fabrics and an empire waistline – I personally doubt if I could pull off her designs! However if you’re dreaming of a Gatsby-inspired wedding, Claire Pettibone is the designer of choice.
7. Lusan Mandongus
The Hong Kong-based Lusan Mandongus is a union of designers offering retro-inspired wedding dresses. Expect trumpet skirts, Chantilly lace and sleeved designs.
The Hong Kong-based Lusan Mandongus is a union of designers offering retro-inspired wedding dresses. Expect trumpet skirts, Chantilly lace and sleeved designs.
8. Theia
Theia is spearheaded by an Irish designer. Its designs are beautiful but non-edgy, suiting the needs of most brides.
Theia is spearheaded by an Irish designer. Its designs are beautiful but non-edgy, suiting the needs of most brides.
9. Ivy & Aster
Ivy & Aster boasts a sweet and youthful style. I particularly love its short dresses.
Ivy & Aster boasts a sweet and youthful style. I particularly love its short dresses.
10. Vivienne Westwood
Westwood’s seemingly messed-up drapes and chic style is what edgy brides crave.
Westwood’s seemingly messed-up drapes and chic style is what edgy brides crave.
2014’s Celeb Brides:
1. Amal Alamuddin (left) was married to George Clooney in an off-shoulder gown by the late Oscar de la Renta (right). (Image: E online)
2, 3. Ashley Tisdale wore a sheath dress and later a cap-sleeve A-line gown by Monique Lhuillier on her big day. (Images: Instagram)
4, 5. Poppy Delevingne wore a capped Chanel gown at her London wedding and a boho Pucci gown at her Morocco wedding party. (Images: E online/ Instagram)
6. Angelina Jolie in a stunning Versace gown featuring doodles by her six children. (Image: Houston Family Magazine)
4, 5. Poppy Delevingne wore a capped Chanel gown at her London wedding and a boho Pucci gown at her Morocco wedding party. (Images: E online/ Instagram)
6. Angelina Jolie in a stunning Versace gown featuring doodles by her six children. (Image: Houston Family Magazine)
7. Kim Kardashian in a vintage Givenchy Haute Couture mermaid gown. (Image: Instagram)
8. Olivia Palermo wore a Carolina Herrera ensemble comprising a cashmere top and a slit skirt. (Image: Glamour)
8. Olivia Palermo wore a Carolina Herrera ensemble comprising a cashmere top and a slit skirt. (Image: Glamour)
Photogenic as these gowns may seem, there are also many other factors to consider apart from your style preference. Budget, season, location, wedding format, body shape – all these will affect your final choice. To help you get the most suitable gown at YesStyle, here are my suggestions according to different body shapes:
1. Petite
Opt for sheath or trumpet dresses instead of frothy ball gowns to avoid being overwhelmed by volume. An empire waistline elongates your body, making it a good choice too. Choose light beading and tulle over dramatic drapery.
Opt for sheath or trumpet dresses instead of frothy ball gowns to avoid being overwhelmed by volume. An empire waistline elongates your body, making it a good choice too. Choose light beading and tulle over dramatic drapery.
2. Plus-Size
Try to cover your arms with fluted sleeves, full-length lace sleeves or off-shoulder designs, which happen to be on trend now. A basque waistline or a black waist sash can slim the waist.
Try to cover your arms with fluted sleeves, full-length lace sleeves or off-shoulder designs, which happen to be on trend now. A basque waistline or a black waist sash can slim the waist.
3. Busty
If you wish to downplay your bust, an illusion neckline, halter neckline or mandarin collar will be helpful. Try to balance your busty frame with a peplum waistline, a long train or a bow at the back.
If you wish to downplay your bust, an illusion neckline, halter neckline or mandarin collar will be helpful. Try to balance your busty frame with a peplum waistline, a long train or a bow at the back.
4. Tall and Lean
How I envy you! You can pull off most demanding dresses including mermaids, sheaths and high-lows. Opt for half-mermaids featuring a dropped waist and a long train if you wish to look grand.
How I envy you! You can pull off most demanding dresses including mermaids, sheaths and high-lows. Opt for half-mermaids featuring a dropped waist and a long train if you wish to look grand.
K-Drama Fashion | Shin Se Kyung’s Style from “The Girl Who Sees Smells”
Currently airing on SBS in Korea, the TV drama The Girl Who Sees Smells stars Shin Se Kyung as heroine Oh Cho Rim who gains the ability to see scents after waking up from a coma. She uses her unique ability to help police officer Choi Moo Ga, played by Park Yoo Chun, investigate cases. Besides having an eye for scents, Cho Rim also has an eye for fashion, because she wears the most adorable clothes in the series.
Here are some ways to get Oh Cho Rim’s casual yet chic look!
It’s All in the Jacket
Cho Rim mostly keeps things casual in simple tops paired with jeans or skinny pants, but the overall effect is far from plain thanks to all her cute blazers and jackets in distinct prints, patterns and colors. Even with your usual pair of jeans, you can experiment with different styles and looks just by adding the right outerwear. Go urban and edgy with a camouflage jacket, or sweet and put-together with a fitted blazer in season-essential florals.
Cho Rim mostly keeps things casual in simple tops paired with jeans or skinny pants, but the overall effect is far from plain thanks to all her cute blazers and jackets in distinct prints, patterns and colors. Even with your usual pair of jeans, you can experiment with different styles and looks just by adding the right outerwear. Go urban and edgy with a camouflage jacket, or sweet and put-together with a fitted blazer in season-essential florals.
I’ve Got Sunshine
Though Cho Rim has gone through some terrible experiences, she maintains a positive personality that’s reflected in the sunny yellow pieces that are sprinkled throughout her wardrobe. We can all use a bit of sunshine in our lives, and yellow is a wonderful picker-upper for the spring collection. Embrace the color in a long, eye-catching coat like the one Cho Rim wears in Episode 3, or a creamy chartreuse dress like the one Moo Ga gives to Cho Rim in Episode 9. If you’re not ready for that much yellow, add a dash of sunshine with a solid-colored top in a butter yellow or even neon yellow shade.
Though Cho Rim has gone through some terrible experiences, she maintains a positive personality that’s reflected in the sunny yellow pieces that are sprinkled throughout her wardrobe. We can all use a bit of sunshine in our lives, and yellow is a wonderful picker-upper for the spring collection. Embrace the color in a long, eye-catching coat like the one Cho Rim wears in Episode 3, or a creamy chartreuse dress like the one Moo Ga gives to Cho Rim in Episode 9. If you’re not ready for that much yellow, add a dash of sunshine with a solid-colored top in a butter yellow or even neon yellow shade.
Little White Dress
Every girl needs a little black dress, but a little white dress may be even better for the spring and summer. Just look at how pretty and angelic Shin Se Kyung looks in the drama’s promotional stills. The possibilities are endless when you’re working with a white canvas. You can keep it cool and sporty in a loose-fitting number with colorful sneakers, or channel your inner princess in a light and feminine dress with lace and crochet details, like the one Cho Rim wears in Episode 13.
Every girl needs a little black dress, but a little white dress may be even better for the spring and summer. Just look at how pretty and angelic Shin Se Kyung looks in the drama’s promotional stills. The possibilities are endless when you’re working with a white canvas. You can keep it cool and sporty in a loose-fitting number with colorful sneakers, or channel your inner princess in a light and feminine dress with lace and crochet details, like the one Cho Rim wears in Episode 13.
The Gray Eye
Cho Rim has one gray eye – a trait she acquired along with her special ability – and you can too with a colored lens. Having two eyes of different colors won’t help you see smells, but it will attract some attention and curiosity, and maybe even creep some people out! If you feel self-conscious, take a page from Cho Rim’s book and throw on a pair of oversized black sunglasses.
Cho Rim has one gray eye – a trait she acquired along with her special ability – and you can too with a colored lens. Having two eyes of different colors won’t help you see smells, but it will attract some attention and curiosity, and maybe even creep some people out! If you feel self-conscious, take a page from Cho Rim’s book and throw on a pair of oversized black sunglasses.
