BE INSPIRED
Top Dress Trends for 2022
BE INSPIRED
Top Dress Trends for 2022
BE INSPIRED
SAY YES TO THE DRESS
If you haven't realised, here at Belle we're a little bit obsessed with the world of bridal fashion. 14 years of fashion editing has seen us witness everything from billowing ballgowns to the renaissance of 80's vintage finds, and this year, we're blessed with a myriad of gowns from world-leading designers that are redefining bridal luxe.
Picking affordable gowns straight from the rails of our Guest List boutiques, we have put together a list of our top seven bridal dress trends that will have you brides-to-be glowing. If you’re unsure whether you want a sexy silhouette, romantic elegance, a fishtail skirt full of drama or maybe even all three, this definitive trend-cast for the upcoming season will help you take one step closer to saying yes to your dream dress.
As some of our brides have had to postpone their wedding day once, twice, maybe even three times, the pandemic has transformed bridal trends. While some brides are opting for low key weddings, paired with minimalistic shift dress looks, others have instead gone for drama, volume, embellishment – think ‘go big or go home’!
SLEEVES
Volume, elegance, drama. Drawing on inspiration from fashion icon royalty, Princess Diana the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex and most recently Princess Eugenie, sleeves are the latest trend for our 2022 brides to be.
ELLIS BRIDALS: ELOISE
With references to Princess Diana’s iconic, decade defining, ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown, these chiffon balloon sleeves on this Ellis Bridals design are bursting with volume and drama, perfectly complemented by this fishnet headpiece, a unique twist on the classic veil. Available at TDR Bridal, Birmingham.
ELYSEE ATLELIER: LOUVRE
This Elysee Atlelier: Louvre design has us reminiscing Kate Middleton’s romantic Alexander McQueen gown. The intricate lace, sequined embroidery travels up the length of the illusion sleeves, across the form fitting gown, complimented by the full blush skirt that sweeps across the floor, carrying the dress’ drama around the entire room. Available at TDR Bridal, Birmingham.
LILLIAN WEST
A top pick for our fashion forward brides, this Lillian West design puts a contemporary spin on the sleeve trend, the off the shoulder cape silhouette gives us a totally Grecian goddess feel. The classic lace gives this modern gown a timeless, elegant and regal feel. Available at Mia Sposa, Newcastle.
SASSI HOLFORD: MIMI
For brides who want romance and elegance yet don’t want their wedding dress to be overly modest, the tulle straps on this Sassi Holford design float over the shoulders, lighter than a train they carry the same amount of drama, yet with an ethereal, bohemian twist. Available at Bijou Bridal, Holmfirth.
PLUNGING NECKLINES
One of the most popular wedding dress necklines, the deep v cut, can add a subtle accent to heavily embellished gowns or can act as the focal point of minimal style dresses. This is an incredibly versatile style that works across all aesthetics. We have picked out 2 of our favourite examples from Lillian West, stocked at Mia Sposa bridal.
LILLIAN WEST
Giving us red carpet at Cannes vibes, this super elegant, figure hugging Lilian West design is perfectly complimented by the plunging neckline which shows skin in a ultra sophisticated way.
LILLIAN WEST
We love how this plunging neckline carries the eyes down from the lace bodice, which flows into this romantic and full A-Line chiffon skirt.
SKIRTS
For brides who want their guests focus to be firmly on them and them only, voluminous full skirts are the way to do it.
ELYSEE: TOUSSAINT
Where minimalism meets maximalism. This Elysee dress is giving us old school Hollywood glamour. The figure hugging hourglass silhouette, perfectly captures the beauty and elegance of the female body, before blowing out above the knee in a voluminous fishtail skirt full of drama and WOW factor! Available at TDR Bridal, Birmingham.
LILLIAN WEST
Ethereal, bohemian, romantic. This blush white Lillian West design is a perfect example of how skirts can transform a dress. The lace over the blush underskirt creates a nude vision. The harmony of colours and fabrics makes this dress look like it has been taken straight from a Disney film. Available at Mia Sposa, Newcastle.
STRAPS
Despite their minimalistic look, spaghetti straps are perfect for wedding dresses as they work with an array of silhouettes. What makes these straps extra special is that they leave your décolletage on show, providing you with the perfect opportunity to accessorise your look further.
REBECCA INGRAM: IONA
The thin spaghetti straps on this Rebecca Ingram Iona dress, create a dramatic contrast with the full, voluminous, princess-style skirt. Delicately flowing down the shoulders, into an embellished bodice and satin ball gown skirt, this dress is the perfect harmony of elegant and dramatic. Available at Allison Louise Bridal, Derbyshire.
SASSI HOLFORD
Slightly wider than the dress above, these straps perfectly frame this almost tudor-esque gown. The structured satin, corset style bodice is met with a contrasting full, lace flowing skirt! We love how this has been paired with the tiara style headpiece- it is giving us all the Bridgerton vibes! Available at Bijou Bridal, Holmfirth.
BACKS
The phrase ‘business in the front, party in the back’ springs to mind when looking at this trend. Giving us all the drama this sophisticated style of wedding dress will have all eyes on the bride and the bride only, when walking down the aisle.
Allure Bridal: 9904B
If you're planning a more traditional wedding day and dress, yet still want a style that is intriguing and attention grabbing, this tulle lace, low back gown is the perfect compromise; with all the wow and drama in the back of the gown. Available at Si Bridal, Newcastle.
HIGHER NECKLINES
After being brought back into the fashion-stratosphere following Meghan Markle’s 2018 Stella McCartney wedding gown, high-neck/ halter necklines are still making their way down the aisle years on.
This stunning Badgley Mishka Eden, lace gown is the perfect romance of classic, elegant, contemporary and sexy. The lace embellished illusion bodice is the focal point of this dress, with the halter neck perfectly complimenting the figure hugging silhouette. This styles are favoured by celebrities and royas alike, including Ellie Goulding who wore a Chloé wedding dress in 2019 and Pippa Middleton whose gown featured high neck detailing. Available at TDR Bridal, Birmingham.
PEARLS
A contemporary, yet regal twist on the classic lace and glitzy sequin embellishment, pearls create a stunning, sophisticated statement to any gown.
ALLURE COUTURE
Flowing elegantly from the bodice down the sleeves and across the back in a pearl waterfall illusion, we love how this pearl embellishment has completely transformed this minimal design. The pearl button feature which travels from the top of the dress down the full length of the wedding gown, carries your eyes onto the stunning tulle train. Available at Si Bridal, Newcastle.
PEARLS ARE A ELEGANT YET MODERN TAKE ON TRADITIONAL BEADING EMBELLISHMENT
KAREN, OWNER OF BELLE BRIDAL
Handpicked from our Belle Bridal Guest List Boutiques, these wedding dresses and trends are set to be firm favourites for the 2022 wedding season.
MEET THE BOUTIQUES
BIJOU BRIDAL:
Bijou Bridal is renowned for its exclusive selection of wedding gowns created by British bridal designer labels.
From exquisite Alan Hannah couture and Ivory & Co’s understated elegance to the modern vintage vibe of Mia Mia and low-key glamour of Olivia Rose Bridal.
MIA SPOSA:
Luxurious, fabulous and ethereal, Mia Sposa are also bridal retailer of the year, an award they received not solely because of the exquisite choice of dresses.
At Mia Sposa, they offer exemplary extra services to ensure that everything surrounding your bridalwear is nothing less than perfect.
ALLISON LOUISE BRIDAL:
Led by Michelle and her trusty team of stylists, your one-to-one appointment embodies exactly what it is to be a VIP.
Think on-hand assistance, exclusive use of the showroom and your own private dressing area, where your bridal party will be able to sit back and relax.
With other 100 gowns to pick from, available in various shapes, sizes and shades, this bridal haven is your personal playground to find the perfect fit.
TDR BRIDAL:
Known for empowering brides and offering them a place where they can feel not only confident and beautiful, but a stunning, relaxed surrounding, where they can express themselves and be supported by a team of ladies who simply LOVE what they do.
With over 400 prestigious gowns adorning the rails, from Enzoani for the brides who like something a little more daring, to fashion-forward label Mori Lee, expect nothing less than perfection with Birmingham born bridal boutique, TDR Bridal, as they guarantee an incomparable service, which you truly won’t find anywhere else.
Feeling inspired? Our Be Inspired section is home to everything you need to plan the perfect wedding, from seasonal floral displays and styling advice to the latest in bridal fashion!