Many body-conscious brides-to-be shy away from short wedding dresses, fearing that baring their legs or arms will create cringe-worthy photos and memories instead of happy, radiant ones. Other brides-to-be think that short dresses are too informal for a wedding, and fail to consider these styles altogether.
However, the 2012 bridal runways revealed wave after wave of knee-length white frocks that suit various personal styles, body shapes, and wedding venues. We’ll help you find a short wedding dress that fits and flatters your figure by breaking down the seven top trends for this season.
1. Dimensions
Who says only long wedding dresses are suitable for dressy weddings? Short wedding dresses are now a fashion-forward option thanks to the range of textures they come in. Be it fringe, deconstructed fabric, or paillettes, short dresses with dimension add movement and drama despite its short length.
2. Feathers
Another stylish option is to look for dresses with feathered details. I’ve seen a number of them in the 2012 bridal runways, but my favorite has to be this sweetheart dress from Ivy & Aster.
3. Ruffles
Short wedding dresses are the perfect backdrop for dramatic ruffles. The shorter the hemline, the more sexy and saucy large ruffles will look.
4. Bows
Don’t want an overly trendy wedding dress? Keep it classic by balancing a short hemline with bows, a timeless detail that Audrey Hepburn would love.
5. One shoulder
While you’re showing off your legs, you might as well boast about your gorgeous tan with a one-shoulder dress. This style reveals a lot of skin while keeping the overall look classy.
6. Beading
One thing short wedding dresses can do better than long ones is all-over embellishment. Whether its crystals, sequins, or beads, it’s impossible to look gaudy in a glitzy short number.
7. Lace
This year’s lace wedding dress trend has never been more appropriate for the summer. The trick is to look for lightweight fabrics like appliques or sheer overlays, like in the Elizabeth Fillmore dress above.
