Wedding Dresses with Long Sleeves--Hooray!

I am extremely excited about the newest trend in wedding gowns. Sleeves are back in style. Two of the most talked-about weddings of 2011, one real and one fictional, featured breathtaking gowns with long sleeves. After many seasons of strapless gowns and cleavage, the demure bride is back. These modern, long-sleeved dresses are not old-fashioned; rather, they are timeless in their beauty.

A covered-up dress style means no worries about "wardrobe malfunctions" that might occur with a strapless gown. A gown with sleeves is modest and elegant; demure, not flagrantly sexy. In a world of brides gone wild, Kate Middleton and Bella Swan show restraint: more natural hair, simple veils and tasteful jewelry.

Twilight fans awaited the appearance of Bella's dress for years. When the Carolina Herrera creation was finally revealed in the latest movie of The Twilight Saga, it proved to be worth the wait. Herrera worked with series author Stephenie Meyer to be sure the dress was true to the description in the book. The satin dress was fitted close to the body with a skirt that opened at the hem "…like an inverted calla lily." (Meyer, 2008, p. 57) and had long, fitted sleeves. The front detailing is done only with seams; the lavish lace is reserved for the back of the gown. Alfred Angelo is now selling a replica dress for brides who admired this gown and have the physique to pull off a fitted sheath silhouette.

There was much speculation about how this thoroughly modern woman would dress for one of the most traditional events in Great Britain—a royal wedding. Her dress was elegant in the style of Grace Kelly, yet it looked perfect for this twenty-first century woman. The lace bodice and long lace sleeves fit like a glove. This Sarah Burton design for Alexander McQueen featured a full skirt, but the use of pleats instead of gathers controlled the fullness. Rather than the miles-long train worn by the mother of the groom decades earlier, Kate chose a more modest train. Whatever Kate Middleton wears, she exudes a quiet, classic charm and dignity—and style!

More coverage means more fitting. It is critically important to work with a consultant or dressmaker who will honestly steer you to the right size dress and stick with you while that dress is custom fit to your body. Don't think you can only wear these gowns if you are as tiny as Kate Middleton or Kristen Stewart; larger sizes are just as lovely, so long as the fit is perfect.

Sources:

http://www.breakingdawnmovie.org/category/breaking-dawn-trailer/ accessed January 26, 2012.

Meyer, S. (2008). Breaking Dawn. New York: Little, Brown & Co.

US Magazine http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/news/kate-middleton-see-her-wedding-dress-2011294 accessed January 26, 2012.