After an exciting display of Fall 2020 bridal gown presentations at New York Bridal Fashion Week, the verdict is in: The newest bridal collections for Fall 2020 are full of bold styles, plus gloriously reimagined classics. Our favorite designers played with texture and delicate shimmer, mastered “dare-to-be-bare” illusions, and flirted with infusions of color. Check out the 7 style trends that captivated us, then find your dream gown at one of these Houston bridal salons!
1. Voluminous, Full Skirts
Everyone seems to agree that a fitted waist paired with a full skirt will never go out of style. This season, many designers returned to the traditional ballgown silhouette—but with a few surprising details. One of our favorites was Ines Di Santo’s “Valentine” ballgown featuring floral-embellished, long, off-the-shoulder illusion sleeves. This bridal gown is a princess bride’s dream come true! A pattern of delicate applique flowers and vines reaches its most concentrated point as it nears the hem of Valentine’s voluminous skirt, while the timeless sweetheart neckline and natural waist welcome endless accessory possibilities.
2. Couture Corsets
Corset bodices were everywhere on the NYBFW Fall 2020 runways, from big, voluminous ballgowns, to sleek lace column gowns, to exquisite A-line styles accented with tiny belts. Julie Vino’s new Bellagio collection is filled with ultra-feminine looks that incorporate delicate puffy sleeves, girlish bows, intricate floral appliques, sparkly tulle flounces, and yes—corsets. A semi-sheer, strapless applique gown (style 1902) features a beautifully boned corset bodice that gives way to a slinky skirt and flowing train. This flirty and romantic wedding dress can be worn as is or lined, with or without a coordinating sheer, peasant-sleeve peignoir, featuring fabulously embellished epaulets.
3. Flirtatious Feathers
New designer collections demonstrate a fancy for fine feather detailing. But rather than creating gowns of feathers head to toe this season, feathers are instead added on specific sections of dresses to highlight a special detail, sprinkled throughout capes to add bold texture, and sewn into the bottoms for dramatic twirls. JLM Couture’s Allison Webb showed a little something for every bride on the Fall 2020 runway, including one of our favorite feather-accented bridal gowns. The “Fitzgerald” gown is both modern and vintage-inspired, with its mock turtleneck, sheath silhouette and scattering of sparkling crystals and delicate, Gatsby-era feathers.
4. Statement Slits
Thigh-high slits create a flattering and elongating illusion. And, depending on where the slit is located on the skirt, the overall style of the leg-baring wedding gown can be subtle enough to remain hidden in photographs, or, maybe made to draw attention to a boldly exposed leg. It is no secret that a bride’s wedding day is one of her biggest moments to shine, and a high slit is the ultimate “look-at-me” bridal gown feature. In addition to being sexy and sophisticated, it also makes a form-fitted silhouette easier to move in all night long. The sleek white “Blue Moon” gown by Pronovias exudes Old Hollywood glamour. This red carpet wedding style features a bold, plunge neckline and pooling train, along with a deep-V back for a little extra skin exposure.
5. Bold Off-The-Shoulder Sleeves
Statement sleeves have become extremely popular for Fall 2020 bridal gowns. Whether they are ’80s-style puffy sleeves, boho peasant sleeves, delicate shoulder-skimming caps or fluttery butterfly sleeves, brides have plenty of options to choose from. Off-the-shoulder sleeves give brides a more traditional look while still showing a little skin, plus they make a great option for both indoor and outdoor weddings. From Morilee by Madeline Gardner comes the dreamy, metallic-patterned “Serendipity” ballgown, with a sweetheart neckline and bead-encrusted bodice. Featuring detachable long sleeves covered in beaded embellishment, this show-stopping bridal gown is designed to catch every bit of chandelier twinkle and candle-flame glow.
6. Chic Capes & Veils
We saw a lot of capes in last season’s collections, but Fall 2020 bridal gowns will have even more. Not to mention, it is becoming more common for brides to be able to purchase a matching veil or cape for their specific wedding dress design. Brides are more in love than ever with the idea of having a two-in-one dress that can transform from ceremony to reception party. Our favorite veil-like cape style this season was the “Nuvola” gown by Peter Langner, featuring a smooth satin sheath with a plunging neckline, and a sheer cape with a descending array of hand-stitched appliques. The cape gives the illusion of soft feathers to wonderfully complement the clean and simple design of the bridal gown itself.
7. Deep-V Necklines
The plunging V neckline has been a bridal favorite for several seasons, and with good reason: With the addition of a bit of subtle illusion fabric, this style allows for a hint of cleavage, but with reassuring strap support (smaller-busted brides can get away without the illusion coverage). The Fall 2020 bridal collections showed deep V’s on flowy, “twirl-skirt” A-line gowns, slinky mermaid styles… even chic bridal jumpsuits! The “Kensington” gown from the newest Justin Alexander Signature collection is the very picture of feminine romance. Look for intricately embroidered lace and chiffon appliques starting on the bodice and trailing down the full ballgown skirt. As for the deep V, if you decide you want to take the plunge—just not quite so deep—the neckline can be raised for a slightly more modest look.
Discover more 2020 gown styles at our favorite Houston bridal salons and design ateliers. And make sure to let them know you found them at Weddings in Houston!
