Timelessness is a key requirement for many brides who walk through our North Yorkshire bridal boutique door in search of a classic wedding dress. But what exactly constitutes ‘classic’, and how do you know if this bridal look is for you?
Generally speaking, a classic gown is lighter on details and errs more on the traditional side in terms of the dress shape and fabric. However, there are also pared-back designs featuring subtle modern twists that would appeal to the classic bride who desires a chic and simplistic big day look.
The key specifications by our classic brides tend to be nothing too fussy, bold or high fashion. Instead, they want to select from simple, luxurious and elegant wedding dress designs that will easily stand the test of time.
To help establish if an effortlessly eternal look is what you crave for your big day, we’re talking through what to look for in a classic wedding dress as well as how to accessorise such a gown. Better still, we’ve picked out our top eight timeless wedding dresses from our current Little Pearl collections to showcase the heavenly options available!
And remember, ladies, if one of the dreamy designs below catches your eye, you can make an appointment at our gorgeous bridal boutique in Pickering, North Yorkshire, to try it on and have a fabulous expert styling experience with the LP team! Simply click here to book.
What Makes A Classic Wedding Dress?
In terms of dress shapes, structured ballgowns and A-lines tend to reign supreme for classic wedding gown designs, which is also great news for brides wanting a silhouette that nips in at the waist. As mentioned in this Top Bridalwear Trends For 2022 blog post, ballgowns are particularly popular this year, meaning there are all the more pretty options to choose from.
Clean-cut column dresses and elegant slips also come in beautifully classic styles and will likely appeal to those wanting a more figure-hugging design.
Fabric-wise, look to luxe satin, silk, Mikado, crepe and chiffon designs as well as those with elements of timeless lace.
As for necklines, it’s better to steer clear of super-deep plunging designs and opt for those with a more subtle v-neck. Regal off-shoulder and strapless gowns also hit the classic mark, as do those with elegant sweetheart, bateau or scoop necks.
As mentioned, detailing tends to be kept to a minimum, with most of the talking left to the gown’s cut, structure and fabric. Where extra detailing is involved, it’s likely to be delicate lace panels, soft floral appliques or subtle beading.
How To Accessorise A Classic Wedding Dress?
When it comes to adding the finishing touches to your classic bridal aesthetic, you’ll want to remain in line with that chic, timeless look. So, think elegant bridal jewellery and pretty hair accessories, such as delicate tiaras, hair vines, pins or combs.
As the detailing of your dress is likely to be pared back, you can afford to add more interest on the bridal accessories side but just take care not to go too bling-heavy. So, for example, if you’ve chosen a plain, strapless ballgown, you might decide to add some sparkle with regal drop earrings or a delicate crystal-adorned necklace to enhance and personalise your look.
In terms of shoes, if your dress is floor-length, people will likely only see glimpses of your heels, so you can choose to keep it simple or make more of a personal style statement. For those remaining timeless elegance from top to toe, we’d advise a simple satin heel or pump. Meanwhile, if going down the more adventurous route, you could choose coloured footwear (maybe something blue!), or a pair with pearl detailing, giving a nod to your classic attire. A metallic strappy pair or cute heart-adorned design would provide further stylish bridal footwear options.
For more advice on those all-important finishing touches, check out our helpful Guide To Choosing Bridal Accessories.
Our Top 8 Classic Wedding Dresses for 2022 / 2023
Now, onto the inspo, as we reveal our top classic wedding dress picks for elegant brides from our current Little Pearl collections. These beauties range from beautiful traditional dresses to more minimalist gowns with carefully crafted on-trend twists.
6758 by Stella York
Wedding dresses don’t come much more classical than this breathtaking Stella York design. The epitome of princess, its stunning ballgown structure is made of matte Mikado and features fabric covered buttons along the length of the train. Subtle modern touches come in the form of its beautiful empire waist and pockets. Yes girls, a classic gown with pockets!
7216 by Stella York
A dress of two halves, Steall York’s 7216 A-line design features a floral lace adorned bodice and a rich Mikado skirt with layers of tulle beneath for extra volume. This dress is ideal for brides who desire some detailing and that dare to bare a little flesh while achieving a timeless vision overall.
Lise by Abella Bridal
Perhaps our favourite ballgown of the moment; we just can’t get over the effortless beauty of Lise. Its classic bridal silhouette is crafted in pearlescent Mikado…and then comes the modern touch, its sparkling off-shoulder straps. A flawless traditional/on-trend combo in our opinion!
Carmen by Abella Bridal
Another classic/contemporary fusion from Abella Bridal comes in the form of Carmen. This minimalist gown takes the drama up just a notch with its figure-gripping silhouette, luxe mermaid skirt and modern strapless neckline. Soooooo dreamy!
Clarity by Rachel Rose
Grecian goddess vibes are emitted by Rachel Rose’s Clarity design which also has an air of timeless elegance. It’s crafted in luxurious crepe and has a classic show-stopping corset structure that we just adore! The leg split is optional, and the off-shoulder straps are detachable, giving you the option to go on the more daring or demure side of classic.
Petal Aura by Rachel Rose
A design requested by the team here at The Little Pearl, Petal Aura is made up of a fabulous fitted bodice that just skims the tummy area before flowing into an amazing A-line skirt. Again, this design is a winning option for classic brides searching for something extra with its stunning floral lace detailed top half, which also features a layer of subtle sparkle fabric.
Pearl by Rachel Rose
The beauty of classic wedding dresses is that sometimes less is more. And in the case of Rachel Rose’s heavenly Pearl design, that is most certainly true! Designed in deluxe crepe and shaping the body to absolute perfection, its simplicity speaks volumes for a head-turning design with endless elegance.
Emma by LP Collection
A breathtaking design from our very own LP Collection, the Emma dress radiates timeless bridal appeal. Crafted in soft Mikado it has a classic fitted bodice and voluminous skirt ballgown silhouette but features some gorgeous modern touches too. Most notably, its deep-v neckline and stunning off-shoulder straps!
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