Every Gorgeous Wedding Gown for Sale This Spring

Bridal designers are divided into two distinct camps for spring: traditional and alluring. The mix of classic ball gowns, A-line skirts, and modest necklines was juxtaposed with revealing styles — think: plunging V necklines, skirts with thigh-high slits, and bare backs.

“I think everybody has finally caught on that the bride wants to show her body but also the fact that she doesn’t want to show all of it,” observes Mara Urshel, owner of bridal mecca Kleinfeld. “There were a lot of long sleeves and low backs. It’s sexy but very sophisticated.”

While the sexy-bride trend continues, designers are striking a balance by both concealing and revealing. “Sexiness can be acceptable in bridal when proportionally paired with the right amount of modesty,” explains Mark Ingram, owner of the Mark Ingram Atelier in Manhattan. “For example, long-sleeve sheaths are paired with fully open, low-dipped backs, or traditional ball gowns are open in the front to reveal a full leg.”

In addition to sexy, and in some cases shocking (see Galia Lahav and Berta), looks, more modest options included garden-inspired designs, which were shown at both designer and mass-market price points. Three-dimensional flowers in ivory, white, and other pastel hues gave the season a springlike feeling, especially at Ines Di Santo’s runway show, where models donned paper blooms for the finale, and at Romona Keveza’s Paris-inspired couture collection.

Monique Lhuillier, who showed spring 2017 in the garden at Ladurée Soho, told Yahoo that the aesthetic she had in mind was effortlessness. “I wanted this nymphlike creature running in a garden, but the real message was that it doesn’t need to be over-the-top to be special,” she says.

Brides who want to stick with a classic look but show their contemporary sense of style can pick a wedding dress in a color or pattern or with hints of the palest hues. “It used to be just all blush,” Urshel says, “but now more brides are looking for color or a print.”

The boldest looks, as far as color goes, came from Naeem Khan, who recently dressed Kate Middleton for her visit to the Taj Mahal with Prince William. Using bright blues, pinks, and purples, Khan featured ornate embroidery on ball gowns and colorful floral patterns on both sheath and A-line gowns.

Transparent looks, which allow brides to be revealing without feeling naked, are accomplished with sheer fabrics in nude shades on bodices, sleeves, and backs. The idea of tattooing the body through embroidery on these see-through fabrics adds texture and detail to each dress.

“A lot of people are talking at the moment about dresses that are very sheer,” says Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman. “At Marchesa, we love to play with transparency, and we love to play with illusion — but still, I think we always have a slightly romantic edge to it.”

Click through the gallery to see all the trends of the spring 2017 collection. The gowns will be available in early fall at salons nationwide.

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