GREAT LENGTHS

St. Pucchi

Do you know the difference between tea-length and ballerina length? Short or mini? Here are some images to inspire you along to finding your perfect hemline. . . .

FLOOR-LENGTH

Sassi Holford
Most common length for bridal gowns, this hemline is graceful and elegant; typically not touching the floor in front but 1-3" above for ease with walking.

BALLERINA

Amy-Jo Tatum
Photo by Stephanie Williams Photography

Ballerina-length skirts fall just above the ankle and are wide and full just like the skirts seen in the corps de ballet.

TEA-LENGTH

Candy Anthony

Falls mid-calf and can be either full and volumonous or fitted. Mostly worn at the informal or semi -formal wedding.

KNEE-LENGTH

Peter Langner

This style of skirt finishes just below or above the knee. A very flattering length, it's perfect for cocktail and the less formal civil-style wedding.

MINI

Jenny Packham

A whimsical and playful , this skirt sports a certain radical chic first worn in the 1960s. Perfect for a cocktail wedding or a bride with great legs.

ASYMMETRICAL

click to enlarge

Irregular hemline falling diagonally. Can start as a mini and go to the floor as in the above image. Tres chic this year along with asymmetrical necklines.

GRADUATED

Max Chaoul

Hemline is short in front and generally extended into a train in back.

FLORA

Sposabella
How 1950s. Once-upon-a-time brides typically wore some version of Juliet or Camelot caps like the ones above and below. All these headpieces are special in that they adorn clusters of flowers. Flowers--whether real or silk-- really add texture, romance and sometimes color to your overall look.

Sposabella Sposabella
Above and below remind me of the 60s-70s decade. Above, the flowers pick up the texture of the cut velvet gown. Below, this hair lei makes for a different kind of grand entrance.
Sposabella

DECADES

For me 20th Century fashion is the chicest and most flattering of all time. These gowns were all inspired by Christian Dior who revolutionized fashion in 1947 with his “New Look”, a 180 turn out of the gray days of fashion following WWII. Once restrictions lifted on fabric post war, Dior had the freedom to introduce the hourglass silhouette, showing off a cinched waist atop skirts flowing in yards of silks and layers of crinoline. Recently this defined waist has made a come back and brides are loving it. . . .

 

Credits

Gowns and Head pieces by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Make up by Pretty Girl

Photos by Bride Chic

CELEBRATING THE A-LINE

Lirette Photography

The hourglass wasn’t Christian Dior’s only reinvention. His A-line hit big in 1955 and stayed with us. An A-line cut is a more modified form of hourglass, bringing with it refinement and understatement. Fitted through the bodice, the A-line can have a slight to moderate flair in the skirt. Dubbed by fashionistas as “The Deb Dress” it’s been one of the most popular silhouettes for the reason it flatters just about every figure type.

Variations of the A-line

Classic-Can be slightly flared to full, you see it everywhere; mostly with a strapless bodice in medium to heavy fibers. Below is a cotton version with a Sabrina neckline.  Stunning.

Princess-Fitted bodice flowing into a skirt that has two parallel vertical seams running up front and back; can have a slight to full flare in the skirt. Very flattering. Especially great for petites or any woman wanting to add height. Heavier brides benefit too from the vertical seams drawing the eye, up, up, up.

Modified-Header photos and below are modified versions of the A-Line.  Slightly flared, both keep within the framework of an hourglass silhouette . . . .

All gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

POUF

Dominic Colacchio Photography

Can you tell I've been a tad bit obsessed with poufs lately?  Created out of tulle or netting, poufs are a great alternative to the longer, more traditional veil.  And let's face it, not all brides feel comfortable going classic these days.  Poufs are uber-chic as well as practical.  They pair up nicely with just about any dress and there's none of that dragging yards of tulle around come reception time.  Finally, they have the ooooooooh la la factor! Whimsy and the element of surprise when you make a grand entrance . . .

Photo by Bill Smoot

All poufs and gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

SUZANNAH: PARIS MEETS NEW YORK BY A BRITISH DESIGNER . . .

Inspired by retro chic, British designer Suzannah has fused Parisian style with a twist of  NYC thrown into the mix.  All these pieces incorporate exquisite tailoring in top drawer fabrics.  The great thing about this line is Suzannah is open to customizing dresses to fit as well as making changes to the original design (that is if you are in the UK). My eye was originally drawn to her line because of her expertly done applications on fabric as well as the imagination she has for drawing the best out of the past. For evoking a real vintage note, I give this designer an A plus for sure . . .