New York Bridal Fashion Week – Top 2024 wedding dress trends
New York Bridal Fashion Week
Floral appliqués
While florals are often associated with spring, almost every fall collection used the motif in new ways. The use of appliqués to create unique 3D floral moments was a standout trend. From Alexandra Grecco’s sweet rosettes at the bustlines of dresses to Monique Lhuillier’s textural white and light green petals along a stunning column dress to Milla Nova’s gender-neutral capes and jackets, these designs show that flowers are blooming in the wedding season ahead.
Bows
Balletcore’s influence has led to the rise of petite ribbons and dramatic looped fabric in bridal fashion this year. The bow, which was previously used as an accessory, has now become an integral part of the structure of many gowns for fall 2024. Elie Saab went all-in on the trend, with a collection that incorporated bejeweled bows into bodices and sculpted bow-like bustlines. In the coming year, expect many brides to embrace the sweetness of this motif.
Structural shapes
Designers have been channeling their inner maximalist since the rise of the ’90s slip-style silhouette. Grand ball gown skirts, voluminous fabric explosions of tulle and lace, and interesting applications of boning to create artistic shapes dominate this season’s dress selection. Designer Esé Azénabor’s collection stood out for its distinctively beautiful designs that pushed the boundaries of bridal fashion into the avant-garde.
Dramatic overskirts
Designers have been looking for ways to provide options that allow brides to get more bang for their buck because many couples today opt for second (and third) looks at their weddings. An overskirt allows you to easily remove layers of fabric and reveal a more fitted silhouette if you only want a dramatic shape for a portion of your wedding. Several designers, including Enaura, have embraced this trend by pairing sleek column dresses with gorgeous overskirts with full trains to create an elegant shape contrast. Reem Acra and Monique Lhuillier also saw the rise of hemlines, with sexy minis made formal with overskirts for a ceremony to after-party transition.
Bold colour
Don’t always expect to see the bride dressed in white next year. This season, color was prevalent at presentations. Pastel pinks and blues added dreamy, whimsical touches to Ines Di Santo and Honor collections, while Galia Lahav and Nadia Manjarrez offered black designs for the gothic marrier. Many mini looks throughout the collections included a splash of color for couples who want to break with tradition after the ceremony.
Unique veils
Brides looking for on-trend accessories in 2024 should look into the collection of veils. Intricate embroidery, eye-catching appliqués, and vintage-inspired lace trim abound to bring drama to a ceremony ensemble. Other trends, such as the bold shapes seen in Halfpenny London’s all-over tulle design and the florals seen in Alexandra Grecco’s veils, can be incorporated using this whimsical accessory.
Pants
Many designers this season have created beautiful designs to reflect the fact that not all brides wear dresses. A unique jumpsuit with a billowing overskirt at Viktor & Rolf and a sexy, lingerie-inspired short set that made waves at the Rime Arodaky runway show were two standouts. Many designers also included pants as an option to replace a full skirt beneath stylish bustiers for a more comfortable change later in the evening.