with demand for alternative bridal dresses on the rise, what are the options for the contemporary irish bride? don’t be afraid to eschew the dictates of tradition (and non-tradition, too) …
Bridal fashion is perhaps seen as the ultimate statement in personal style. That one moment to choose a dress that ultimately makes a much broader statement about you – your aesthetic, your reference points, your place in the world. It’s a sartorial choice laden with so much subtext, it could require a translator. No pressure. None at all. Thankfully, the tide seems to be turning towards something more organic.
Right now the appetite is for individualism. Dresses that defy the traditional wedding look but – also – turn the idea of an alternative bridal dress on its head, too. Not only are we eschewing big name designers (with bigger price tags), we’re also waking up to the fact that you don’t need a dress to be a ‘cool’ one from an approved set of mid-range brands doing bridal offshoots, either. There’s a confidence in calling any kind of dress your wedding dress, whether it’s white or black; minimal or blanketed in abstract pattern; contemporary or vintage; designer, high street or something you rummaged at a flea market: its status lies in what it means to you. “We all know about great and affordable bridal ranges,” says Síomha Connolly, Digital Editor at THE GLOSS, who is planning her own nuptials. “What’s important now is feeling free to choose a dress from any brand, whether they have a bridal collection or not,” she says.
Main image: Instagram @oscardelarenta.
Above and main image: Actress Naomi Watts wore a water lily guipure dress from the Oscar de la Renta pre-fall 2023 collection for her New York City nuptials.
There is, happily, a sustainable thread to this story. Think about it: the less traditional the wedding dress, the more opportunities there are to wear it again. As THE GLOSS editor Sarah McDonnell observes, buy the right wedding dress and you’ll have it as an evening dress for the rest of your life. Consider Temperley London’s exquisite floral embroidered collection, available now at Sharon Hoey’s bridal boutique on Merrion Street, Dublin 2. While, years ago, the thinking was that a dress should be saved (i.e. worn once), otherwise it wouldn’t be special, attitudes towards re-wearing have done a swift 180. We can thank the cost of living crisis, inflation and also a positively-charged attitude towards pre-loved clothes for that.
As someone who bought a black wedding dress (firstly, because I am deathly pale and white would make me look more Casper than couture, but mostly so I could wear it again) I am firmly in camp re-wear. I recently re-wore mine for a trip to the opera, a balmy June evening at Lismore Castle, and rather than ruining the unique quality of the dress, it feels the opposite: like the dress has another story in its repertoire, another night of magic and fun under its (tulle) belt. I won’t be breaking it out for every special occasion and I didn’t fall prey to the trend of wearing it to the supermarket during the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have its fun every now and again.
Wedding coat in winter white, €250 and embellished velvet headband, €100, both from ‘Fall Hard For Love’ by Joanne Hynes at Dunnes Stores. The collection will be available from Friday June 16 at stores in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Bandon Road, Cork and Eyre Square, Galway.
Designers are answering the call for non-traditional attire, too. Launching this Friday, Joannes Hynes’ bridal collection Fall Hard For Love at Dunnes Stores (the first time Dunnes is selling bridal dresses) comprises 13 limited-edition occasion wear designs fit for a “rebellious celebration”, it’s also packed full of the signature jewelled accessories that is part of Hynes’ design DNA. If the modern bride isn’t afraid to stand out, then a dress that’s bold and boisterous is de rigueur (and tailor-made for Instagram likes). Notably, the dresses are made for ceremonies, parties – or runaway brides. At the entry price point is a €50 logo T-shirt embellished with pearls, shells and frothy lace.
Bridgette dress, €536.95; www.queensofarchive.com.
With more and more brides choosing dresses from mainline collections, Queens of Archive, the vintage-inspired brand created by Dubliner Sarah Plunkett and Belfast-based Nicola Orme, has seen its Bridgette dress spike in popularity. The gown was inspired by 1930s glamour and features a maximal ruffle as well as a delicate black polka dot and gold jacquard motif on a vintage-look, off white base. At just over €500, it’s a doable investment for a future heirloom. Orme wanted the piece to be versatile, fitting for a bride but also for wearing to a garden party. “Bridal isn’t a traditional boned lace frock anymore. Bridgette is designed to be a dress that can be worn but also feels special enough to be bridal,” she says. “It will hold a place in your wardrobe for many other occasions but also as an heirloom – the timeless and classic palette and silhouette allows her to be passed on,” she says.
Alice Temperley’s elaborately-crafted dresses have bridal nous but are bohemian enough to wear again. Pictured is the Aubrey dress in ivory. See SharonHoey.com for more.
Lastly, for guests, black is the chicest thing to wear to summer nuptials, says Style Editor of THE GLOSS, Aislinn Coffey. Look to Michael Kors’ midnight black skirt with fringing, pair it with a crisp shirt, or an ivory waisted blouse, and go heavy on the gold accessories.
