A wedding ceremony does not always involve a long white dress. Thematic parties are becoming increasingly popular: national or simply less formal. In this case, the bride and her guests can choose cocktail dresses for the wedding, which are more comfortable and functional than traditional wedding dresses. The products are available in various fabrics, and their color range allows you to choose a bright or more reserved look.
What are they?
Fashion encyclopedias offer a definition for a cocktail dress as a model for special occasions, without sleeves and a collar. Summer dresses are sewn from thinner fabrics: chiffon, silk, organza, while winter dresses are made from thick satin, velvet. The coloring is usually monochromatic, but different colors are acceptable.
The length of the dress should be to the knee or slightly higher. Such dresses can have an open corset top. There are super mini models, but they are only suitable for slender young ladies, worn for youth parties.
In the case of a minimal skirt length, the top of the outfit should be as closed as possible. This way, harmony in the image is achieved. A new trendy style of cocktail attire is the mullet. In such a product, the front part of the skirt is shortened, and the back is longer.
In what cases are they relevant?
A worthy alternative to the traditional wedding dress is the cocktail option, which has a number of advantages:
- Practicality: Unlike a voluminous, fluffy dress that will hang in the closet for years, a cocktail dress takes up very little space.
- Versatility. After the wedding, the outfit can be used for other special events. Every time a woman puts it on, she will remember the wedding.
- Comfortable to wear. The absence of rigid corsets, crinolines, and lush flounces makes it easier to move. Sitting at a table, getting out of a car, and dancing in a cocktail dress is easy and comfortable.
- It is easier to sell than a traditional wedding dress. If a cocktail wedding dress is not white, it is multifunctional, so a buyer will be found faster.
- Lower cost. Simple cut, fewer decorative elements reduce the cost of the product.
Not only brides, but also bridesmaids and other guests can choose a cocktail option. Depending on the format of the wedding celebration, strict classic outfits in pastel colors or bright dresses with a thematic style are available.
If a wedding ceremony is planned, then the shoulders should be covered with a wide scarf, cape, shawl, bolero. Deep necklines, bright decor, high slits and mini skirts should be avoided. The head and hair should be covered with a thin scarf.
Style options
The collections of all famous designers feature cocktail dresses for various occasions. They differ in style, material, and design.
For the bride
White cocktail dresses allow you to match the solemnity of the moment, but still feel comfortable. Some brides refuse traditional lush dresses due to their figure features, for example, when there is a big difference in height or weight between the bride and groom. This option is convenient if the newlyweds go on vacation immediately after the ceremony or the first wedding dance is complex and energetic.
The most popular styles are:
- Sheaths with a straight or slightly flared skirt. The top of the dress can be open, with a corset base or have a deep neckline. Some items are decorated with figured cutouts on the back. Thick fabrics, such as satin and cotton, which retain their shape, are chosen for sewing sheaths. If the outfit is intended for a winter wedding, then velveteen and jersey options are possible. Dresses are decorated with embroidery, guipure inserts, rhinestones and beads.
- For young girls, models with lush skirts made of tulle, chiffon, and silk are offered. Such an outfit looks harmonious in the hot season, emphasizes the beauty of the arms, shoulders, and thin waist. The bodice of the dress can be moderately decorated, but the main emphasis is on the lush skirt.
- The straight-cut guipure version looks luxurious and elegant. Lace can be used only on the bodice or be the main material. The presence of a cover allows you to maintain decency. Lace outfits are suitable for ladies of any age.
- A flared dress with a sun skirt or pleated folds looks feminine. It is sewn from flowing fabrics that emphasize the beauty of the hips. The neckline can be round, triangular or boat-shaped. Both the bodice and the skirt are decorated.
A white cocktail dress for a wedding is often chosen by brides for an outdoor registration in nature, on a boat, in historical places. Some girls sew themed outfits to order.
For girlfriends
A cocktail dress will also be relevant for bridesmaids. In it, the girl will look elegant, but not too pompous.
The choice of colors for bridesmaids is wide, but light, delicate shades are preferable. It is better to refuse white and ivory, so that the girl is not confused with the bride.
Unlike the bride, bridesmaids should not choose dresses with deep necklines or cutouts on the back. Attention this evening should be focused on the newlyweds. The best option is a fitted dress of a straight or slightly flared cut made of matte fabrics. Decoration with lace, embroidery, satin inserts is allowed. If the ceremony is held in the cold season, the outfit is complemented by fur or wool capes, jackets, high boots or ankle boots.
A new tradition that came to us from Europe is choosing identical outfits for all bridesmaids. The items can have a completely identical style or only one color scheme. Harmonious bridesmaid outfits will add sophistication to wedding photos. The bride or bridesmaids can buy or sew custom-made outfits themselves.
For guests
The cocktail dress option for wedding guests is also optimal. Mothers of the newlyweds and other relatives can choose any dress style that suits the season and style of the celebration. The most suitable option for the mothers of the bride and groom is a sheath dress.
For older women, straight or slightly flared dress models allow you to look elegant. Thick fabric of a dark shade will hide figure flaws, bright decorative elements will draw attention to the advantages of the figure.
Older ladies should avoid models with a corset bodice. A dress with a medium neckline and embroidered top looks advantageous. Younger guests can choose bold open models that do not look provocative. Fashionable removable skirts and short trains made of transparent chiffon or taffeta will allow you to create a romantic image for the formal part. After which the top skirt is removed and does not hinder movement.
Color variations
The undoubted favorite for wedding celebrations is white. It emphasizes the tenderness and fragility of the bride, looks solemn and elegant. An alternative for classic cocktail dresses is ivory, gold, beige, coffee, light pink. They will give a simple cut product a more festive look, suit girls of different color types.
The intensity of the fabric shade is chosen according to the age of the bride. For young ladies, light or moderately bright outfits are preferable, mature women can safely choose deep, rich tones.
Here are the most popular colors of dresses for brides and guests:
- A bride in a bright red dress will not surprise anyone. It is only important to choose the shade of red that suits the girl best.
- Yellow is ideal for summer celebrations and will create a positive mood.
- Delicate peach will suit a lady of any age. In combination with soft makeup it will add femininity.
- Turquoise and blue have many shades - from sky blue to rich sea-green. This option is ideal for an outdoor ceremony on the shore of a pond.
- Lilac is chosen by elegant ladies. The light shade is appropriate for bridesmaids' outfits, dark purple can be chosen by mature ladies.
Taking into account the features of the figure, prints and the presence of shine on the fabric are selected. For cocktail dresses, a small, almost imperceptible pattern is acceptable. Options made of shiny satin are suitable for slender girls. Full ladies should choose matte dresses.
Selection of accessories
Correctly chosen accessories will help to complete the created image. Capes, scarves, boleros look harmonious in combination with sleeveless wedding cocktail dresses. If the girl has beautiful hands, then bright massive or shiny bracelets are used. Ladies with full breasts will suit long beads, chains with pendants, which will visually stretch the silhouette.
Cocktail wedding dresses go well with a veil of medium volume and length. This accessory will make the image more delicate. The open top of the dresses allows you to wear long or short gloves. For the bride and guests, the most suitable shoes will be classic closed shoes. They look formal, go well with midi or mini length.
The bride does not necessarily have to choose white shoes; bright shoes that match the color of the dress decor also look interesting. With a simple cut of the dress, the emphasis can be on the hair. Various combs, decorative hairpins and hairpins, artificial or fresh flowers, tiaras or small veils can be used to decorate the curls. A small clutch will complete the look.
Practical brides choose the cocktail dress option for their wedding. After the ceremony, the outfit can still be used, and its cost is significantly lower than lush dresses. The convenience and simplicity of the style will allow the bride to be in the center of the dance floor and not be afraid of damaging the long hem or train.
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