Best Traditional Ballgowns

The best in classic traditional bridal ball gowns.
What are the hallmarks?

• Traditional fabrics like lace, satin, and tulle.
• Strapless necklines, usually a sweetheart version.
• Bodice is usually slim at the natural waist, or elongated with a version of a dropped waist.
• Very embellished with lace applique, re-embroidery, beading, etc.
• A very full and frothy skirt.

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This Demetrios gown is frothy, fabulous, and full with tulle and cascading beading.  The cascading embellishment is a slightly modern touch compared to the usual lace and filigree embroidery featured on the other gowns.  The strapless bodice features a sweetheart neckline and detailed nipped waist.

Credits: Demetrios, Ilissa collection, style no. 525.

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This Vera Wang for David's Bridal gown has basque waist, which is very traditional and is a bit old fashioned.  Kim Kardashian wore an identical version of this gown but although I have yet to see the basque waist really come back, modern versions like this although rare can be found.  The bodice has lace applique and it is finished in a layered tulle full skirt.

Credits: White by Vera Wang for David's Bridal, style no. VW351135.

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A lovely gown from Martina Lianna with embellished dropped waist bodice and matching embellishment at hem.  Its not as full as some ball gowns but is still fuller than an A-line.  The shiny satin can seem a bit dated but is still a common traditional staple.

Credits: Martina Liana, style no. 383.

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Another very traditional ball gown from Blue by Enzoani.  The drop waisted bodice features a strapless sweetheart neckline with rouched and jeweled inverted basque detail.  The full, gathered ball skirt is in tulle with lace applique.

Credits: Blue by Enzoani, 2013 collection, style "Fairmont".

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This Essence of Australia gown has a slim lace bodice with ribbon waist, with a bit of the lace creeping down into the skirt.  The tulle skirt features pick-ups which are a good way to add volume without much more weight.  

Credits: Essence of Australia, style D1403.

Frothy, Fluffy, Classic Tulle

This gown is for all of you who love the frothy, fluffy, full ball gowns!

It starts of with a very classic slim sweetheart neckline bodice with dropped waist.  It has a modern bit of rouching and surplice detail at the bust.  The full tulle skirt is also very classic but the twist here is the modern pick ups - oodles and oodles of them.  Since its tulle (versus say satin) the pick-ups give the gown a light and airy volume, not at all heavy looking or weighed down.  I also love that the gown is relatively simple and clean of any heavy embellishments, which could look too rich and costumey.

Credits: Justin Alexander 2012, style no. 8612.

I couldn't resist capturing this shot from the Look Book as well.  It shows the gown worn with an embellished belt, which I think adds a glamorous touch.

Buttercup Lace

Another lovely lace Lazaro ball gown, with slim sweetheart lace bodice, natural satin band waist, and full tulle skirt with circular lace applique.  The color is "buttercup" and I love how the lace doesn't just blend in, it really pops.  This is such a sweet and traditional princess gown.

Credits: Lazaro F2012, style no. LZ3251.

Dream Dress Friday: Lace and Sheer

Normally with all-over lace gowns I tend to think, "If you've seen one, you've seen them all..."  But that is not the case with this Justin Alexander beauty.  It is classic enough to be timeless with enough details that make it unique and beautiful.

The neckline is a bateau style lace overlay with just enough sheerness to show off the sweetheart detail in the front and the button line closure in the back.  In case you didn't know, a bateau neckline with sleeveless styling is very classic, very Audrey Hepburn.  

The waist fabulously cinches you in with a satin, pleated cross-over band detail.  The mermaid skirt is of dotted swiss with lace applique.

Credits: Justin Alexander 2012, style no. 8596.

Princess Bride

I don't know why because Jenny Packham always seems more bohemian and relaxed Grecian than "regal" but to me this gown seems fit for a princess bride.  Perhaps a Greek princess?

The traditional aspects of it stand out most to me.  It has a sweetheart, detailed bodice with a high detailed waist and a full, unembellished ball skirt.

Credits: Jenny Packham 2011, style Anya.

Scallops of Garlands

This Christina Wu gown is maybe not a personal favorite since I tend not to favor heavily ornate gowns but I absolutely love the effect of concentric scallops on the skirt.

They remind me of a wedding hall decorated with hanging garlands of flowers, just completely over-the-top and formal and fun.

This heavily ornate gown features a strapless sweetheart neckline, natural waist detail, A-line silhouette and a corset back.

Credits: Christina Wu 2012 collection, style no.15493

Fantastical

What a fantastical and over-the-top amazing dress!  Of course you've gotta love St. Pucchi for this.

I love the pleated tiers and this stunning ball gown also features a classic embellished sweetheart bodice.

Credits: St. Pucchi Couture style 9416

Dream Dress Friday: Subtle Stripe

Who: Jesus Piero gown, from the Atlantida collection, style no. 1030.

Why:  This is such a great, classic drop-waisted ball gown, fully clean lined and simple yet quintessentially and unmistakably bridal.  This straight neckline ball gown features a princess seamed dropped waist with bow detail, and a classic button back.

The most striking thing about this gown is also the most subtle: the striped details along the neckline, bodice, waistband and hemline (shown with a matching striped edge shawl).  Its what makes this gown killer, in my opinion.

Credits: Jesus Piero

CelebWed: Elizabeth Smart's Wedding Dress

Child advocate and abuse survivor Elizabeth Smart recently celebrated her Oahu, Hawaii wedding to Scotsman Matthew Gilmour on Feb. 18.

Congrats to her and her happy groom but of course let's get on to the details of the dress!

Elizabeth confessed to searching long and hard for her dress, trying on just about every gown she could find in her home town of Salt Lake City but to no avail.  It was on a trip to New York City that she made an appointment at the city's famed Klinefeld Bridal (of "Say Yes to the Dress").

It was there that she happened upon an Alita Graham gown and fell in love... after requesting a few alterations.

As you can see her gown features a pleated bodice with a dropped waist and a full skirt, in a modified mermaid silhouette which is just right for her figure (and is a perfect silhouette for a tropical winter wedding I say!)
Originally the gown was a sweetheart neckline but since Elizabeth's Mormon faith requires covering of the arms and shoulders to maintain modesty, scalloped lace was crafted into a round neckline and quarter length sleeves, coming down in the bust at empire level.

Elizabeth's husband, who is Scottish, wore a traditional Scottish kilt (actually his deceased father's kilt) in his family's tartan.

This picture below shows that not just the lace overlay was added, but an off-shoulder style cap sleeve was actually crafted in the under layer to assure modesty.

Elizabeth accented her lace dress with a lace trimmed mantilla style veil.

If you look closely in this picture below you will notice that Elizabeth's gown is actually made of dotted Swiss, which I think is a delightfully playful touch for a young bride.

Congratulations Elizabeth and Matthew!

All Credits: People

Pick-up tulle

I just thought this gown was so unique.  I've seen billowy taffeta or satin pick-up skirts which in my opinion tend to be a bit saccharine.  But this tulle pick-up skirt is so amazing and has a lighter and whimsical look to it.  Isn't this gown killer?

Credit: Martina Liana style 386

Look-A-Likes for Less: Monica Gellar Wedding gown

One of the most popular TV wedding in history was undoubtedly the wedding of "Friends" characters Monica Gellar and Chandler Bing in 2001.

Monica's look was fairly minimalist in a clean and unembellished House of Bianchi wedding gown accented with cathedral veil and loose waves.  Her wedding day look was also accented with minimal jewelry including a simple bracelet, earrings and necklace.  

According to one source I found, Monica's gown was designed by House of Bianchi, a bridal gown manufacturer who closed its doors the same year as Monica's TV wedding.

What a shame because this classic fit-to-flare A-line sleeveless gown with double v-neck and no waist princess seams looks just as chic today as it did in 2001!  This gown is universally flattering and would look great on virtually all body types.

One of the features of this gown that makes it a timeless classic is the sleek and discreet lack of embellishment on the dress.  There is absolutely no beading, tulle, or floral accent, just a clean silhouette that enhances all of Monica's natural assets and beauty. 

If you ever watched "Friends" you know Monica had a thin and fairly linear body type.  She had a smaller bottom and a larger, more athletic top making her more of an apple body type making this gown an excellent choice for her.  

Because she is more of an apple, the princess seams with no waistline helps elongate and flatter her short and high waist.  The gentle silhouette of the gown is a loose fit-to-flare that is a bit A-line as well, which helps to create curves.  And of course the V-neck gown highlights her just right bust line, arguably her shapeliest feature.

Here is a picture of the back of the gown which has been nicely bustled for Monica's dance with her new hubby Chandler.  The train appears to be tacked up to the outside of the gown, right at the back flare, making this a classic American bustle.

All credits: Various sources.

Up next: How you can achieve Monica's timeless and classic look!

Bridal Dictionary: The Wedding Ring Neckline

The "Wedding Ring" neckline:

The wedding ring is a high, modest neckline that fully encircles the throat and closes at the nape (back) of the neck.  While some may refer to it as a high neckline or "turtle neck", romantics have given it the "wedding ring" name.

Credit: Cymbeline "Feria" gown

This style of gown can be considered traditional and modest and is particularly popular in Victorian or Edwardian styles and draped in lace.  Of course modern times have called for modern necklines and while this element is usually worn in a traditional way, there is also a modern simplicity about it when it is done in a clean cut, minimalist way.

Credit: Jessica Chastain @ 2012 Golden Globes

While this high neckline is standard and modest in the front, the back can vary: some are equally modest in the back, others use the high neckline as a modest counterpoint bareness in the back by incorporating it into a halter or featuring a keyhole or cut out back.

Credit: Lauren Bush wedding

For more wedding ring necklines see here.

Polka Dotted

I love this polka dotted tulle and organza pick up skirt!  The lace applique corset bodice with sweetheart neckline is just traditional enough to contrast with the fun and funky polka dots.

Credits: Sottero & Midgley "Gina"

Contrasts

The alternating panels of satin trim on this organza skirt make for a stunning contrast.  When properly lit the skirt would look stunning with the subtle glow of the organza against the brilliant shine of the satin.  It is perfect for the flickering lights of a city setting.

This ball gown also features a soft sweetheart neckline with pleated crumb catcher bust and rouched waist with floral detail.  

Credits: Sottero & Midgley "Kimberly"

Bridal Dictionary: The Inverted Basque

The inverted basque waist is the opposite of the basque; while the basque resembles a visual arrow pointing down and meant to elongate, the inverted basque is a visual arrow pointing up like a mountain peak.  The "slopes" of the arrows wrap around the rib cage or upper waist to the back, ending in a downward slope or natural end at the back of the gown.

Credit: Alfred Angelo style 1708

Because of this peak at the bust line, the true inverted basque must sit high on the waist.  If it does not sit high on the waist, it is not a true inverted basque waist.

Inverted basque waistlines are usually accompanied by a v-cut neckline, to produce a "tuxedo bow" effect on the bodice.

Credit: Casablanca style 2041

While the basque line is usually left undecorated so as not to distract from the shape, the inverted basque line is usually a great point of delicate decoration since it is significant enough to stand on its own and decoration will not distract from the shape.

Credit: Olivia Couture style 0067

The basque waist sits lower on the torso but the inverted torso sits higher up and usually around the bust line.  As a result, the inverted basque visually lifts the bust.

While the inverted basque may be good for the bust line and shaping, some heavy bottomed girls might not find it so forgiving for the hips.

Credit: Claire Mischevani gallery

For more information please see the rest of the Bridal Glossary.

Bridal Dictionary: The Basque Waist

The Basque waist is a bodice that is characterized by a long and close fitting bodice (almost always a corset) that is shaped to the contours of the waist and hips.  It is almost always dropped waisted ending at a dramatic dip or point (or "V") at the front center of the bodice.  The back of the gown can be straight or the same shape as the front.  The purpose of this shape is to emphasize and lengthen the womanly shape: rounded bust, tiny waist and fruitful hips.

Credit: Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress image search

The Basque gets its name from the French region where it originated.  As a result this look tends to be very traditional, accompanied by a fairly voluminous skirt, which visually helps the waist look even smaller by comparison.

The Basque waist is a fairly dated and very traditional look and due to those factors most modern, younger brides opt for trendier or more classically flattering choices.  As a result Basque waist gowns are not too common and far and few between.  It should be noted that soft Basque styles with soft dips rather than sharp points are a modern alternative and can be found.

The biggest exception has been Kim Kardashian, in her custom made Vera Wang ball gown which featured a traditional lace applique corseted basque waist.  Short torso, curvy body types such as hers benefit from the lengthening effect of the basque waist.

Credit: Kim Kardashian wedding dress image Search

As a result Vera Wang has added not one but two Basque waist gown to her White by Vera Wang collection for David's Bridal.

Basque waists do emphasize the stomach area and will compliment most but not all body types.

Credit: White by Vera Wang for David's Bridal style VW351135

Credit: White by Vera Wang for David's Bridal style VW351027

Finally we have an example of a more subtle Basque waist.  The hallmark corset detail is delightfully contrasted in red and the Basque shape is immensely softened by the lace applique.

Credit: Sincerity Bridal style 3681