Adding Color to Plus Size Wedding Dresses
If your dream of a white wedding includes at least a splash of color, then youll love some of the latest designer wedding dresses for the upcoming season. From ribbon sashes, to embroidered accents, to colored edgings, the latest wedding gowns bloom with color.
While most brides will be wearing traditional white or ivory walking down the aisle, adding a little color to your wedding dress is becoming increasingly popular. Whether you want to be just a little daring or want to jump into color feet first, there are lots of options out there for brightening the wedding gown palette.
The trend toward colorful wedding dresses is a special perk for the plus size bride. Because color - whether its a touch of lace at the neckline, or a bright fuchsia sash - is a great way to call attention to your best features and help define all those lovely curves that you have. If youre thinking about wearing a dress with color, consider where and how the color is placed when choosing your wedding gown.
Colored Sashes
One of the easiest ways to add color to your wedding gown is to add a satin ribbon or sash to the dress. One very popular wedding salon with a national profile offers nearly three dozen wedding gowns with colored accents, and the majority of those dresses feature a colored sash or ribbon at the waist.
The placement, tying and drape of a ribbon sash can make a surprising difference in the dress that you choose. A narrow stripe of bright color accenting the line of an empire waist can draw attention up from your natural waist and accent a beautiful neckline. A wider pleated sash wrapping around your natural waistline and falling in fanned tails over the train adds drama and can give you lovely hourglass silhouette.
There are so many ways that a colorful ribbon can change the shape and lines of your dress. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Take a simple A-line wedding gown with a strapless bodice and add a ribbon in your favorite accent color. Wrap the ribbon once at the waist and tie in a small bow off-center, letting the ends of the ribbon drape to knee length. This draws the eye away from the center of your body and creates a long line that lengthens your torso and makes you appear slimmer.
Or, tie the bow at the back instead, puffing it just above a full bustle, and sweep train to minimize the width of your hips and pull attention to the small of your back. Do the same thing with a scoop back or backless style wedding gown to call attention to the beautiful curves of your waist. Try different placements and bow styles to create a look thats uniquely your own and distinctly flattering.
Colored Embroidery
Some plus size wedding dresses feature a spray of color across the bodice or hem. Wedding gowns with embroidered necklines and bodices are beautifully suited to plus size women with hourglass, pear and rectangular shapes because they draw the attention upwards and emphasize the curve of the waist. This can be especially flattering for women whose shoulders, hips and waist are all close to the same width. A spray of embroidery and beads that outlines the bodice and creates a diamond shape down the front can create the illusion of a curvy waist even when theres a minimal curve.
Embroidered flowers in a rich color can trim the sweetheart neckline of your dress, extending in a delicate scatter of asymmetrical flowers down the front and back of an A-line silhouette. This creates long, off-center lines that flatter any figure. Its an absolutely stunning look for an autumn bride.
Stunning Color Accents
If youre really daring, you might choose a dress that packs a major punch of color. One of the most dramatic looks youll find from any designer is a gorgeous satin A-line strapless dress with a split back chapel train and rich color accents at the cuff, hem and back. The front of the dress can be more demure, featuring a slender outline in the color of your choice along the top of the sweetheart neckline. The back shows off your daring nature, as the bright satin edging follows the hem of the split back and opens to reveal an underskirt in the same rich, vibrant color. Beaded embroidery edges the back opening and the hem of the chapel train to create a stunning effect.
Whether you want just a hint of tint or a daring dash, youll find that color can really make a huge statement on your wedding day.
Jennifer Bailey is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and fashion, often focusing on a specific item such as plus size wedding dresses.