'Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue,
and a silver thruppence in her shoe'

According to the traditional Victorian rhyme, it takes five somethings for good luck in marriage. Still a popular custom followed today, most brides presumably forgo the thruppence, as it's no longer in circulation - plus, it's pretty painful to carry money in your heels (trust me, I know).


Justin Alexander, Vu's Bridal

Then there were four. Whether you're superstitious or not, each element is worth considering when it comes to wedding dress inspiration, serving as a useful starting point from which to gain a greater understanding of what you want and also - as it happens - echo the top bridal trends.

So for old-school luck - and an outfit that exudes your individual character and style while boasting the latest and most lusted-after bridal looks - it's time to think about these super sweet somethings.

Something Old
Symbolising a sense of continuity between the bride's family and the past, something old points to fashion's current predilection with vintage.


Annalise Harvey

Era wear is still in full force in bridal boutiques, and the 1920s and 1960s are two of the hottest decades du jour.


Mori Lee

Achieve art deco androgyny dressed up with feminine decadence for a contemporary take on a flapper style wedding: simple pleated skirts with scalloped trains or slinky, strappy evening gowns in floaty fabrics resonate with the 'anything goes' era of 1920s austerity.


Annalise Harvey

For a striking '60s look, anything from simple shifts made modern ornate with oversized bows and corsages or micro minis with a cropped cape and pill box hat works the trend. Lace and floral are two of the biggest components, whether you opt for fairy queen fabulousness with a flower crown and floral appliques or boho beautiful via a beaded gown and delicate daisy chain headband.


Diane Harbridge

In addition, the Victoriana wave continues with sheer, illusion necklines - especially via lace panelling, layering, long (or cap) sleeves, portrait backs and form-fitting frocks, lending an edge of drama and even dark gothic to an achingly romantic aesthetic.


Eternity Bride


Jenny Packham

Something New
Representing the beginning of a new life together and an optimistic hope for the bride's future happiness, 'something new' is strikingly visible in recent couture collections. Enjoying an enigmatic moment, fashion is beguiling brides with contemporary cuts, futuristic fabrics and a modern edge of mayhem for an entirely new niche in bridal wear.


D'Zage, Little Anne Maids

Decadent designs, ultra high hemlines, swag backs, draping, starched and statuesque silhouettes - bridal wear is receiving some seriously statement treatment. Whipping up frothy confections of tulle, organza ruffles and flamenco style frills, sculptural creations merge art, architecture and fashion to show-stopping effect.


Alfred Angelo

From sci-fi style mixed metallics (especially gold) to English eccentricity in varying forms, fashion is both a cross gender and cross genre affair as masculine tailoring meets ultra feminine form and whimsical, detailed designs for a perfectly balanced power struggle of style. As eras, materials and moods collide, the result is a unique dialogue expressed in divinely dramatic dresses.


Alfred Angelo

Alternatively, the New Minimalism movement is seeing clean cuts such as tux-inspired outfits and exquisite unembellished skirt suits, while the wide-shouldered and classic hourglass shapes remain the most coveted silhouettes.


Annais Bridal, Little Anne Maids


Essense


Mori Lee


Opulence


Annais Bridal, Little Anne Maids

Something Borrowed
Traditionally an item donated by a happily married friend or family member whose good fortune is hopefully inherited by the bride, something borrowed conveys the catwalk's hankering for recycled fashions.


Anna D'Souza

From heirloom pieces to vintage-inspired looks, brides are borrowing from everyone. Wearing items from relatives and friends personalises each ensemble while nodding to a distinctive and defining past look or feature, uniting people, place and picture to poignant effect.


Charlie Brear

With many brides transforming old jewellery into headpieces and corsages into brooches, old dresses are being cut up and reformed in the most fabulous of ways. By taking the skirts, bodices and sleeves and stitching them into new shapes, the dissembling of an old dress represents one of fashion's modern movements: deconstruction.


Charlie Brear

Connecting times by transforming the old into the new and creating a material dialogue between the past and present defines today's hip mix of modern and vintage that both designers and brides are veritably weak at the knees for.


Maggie Sottero


Sincerity


Justin Alexander


Justin Alexander


Justin Alexander

Something Blue
Blue is a colour long connected with weddings. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolise love and fidelity, while Christianity traditionally dressed the Virgin Mary in the watery shade that maintains historic associations of purity.


Eternity Bride

Old proverbs such as 'marry in blue, lover be true' illustrate its position as a traditional colour choice for wedding gowns long before Queen Victoria's 1840 white gown popularised them for generations to come.


Modeca by Enzoani

Busy making a comeback, blue is the colour to covet this year and takes an array of shades from baby to electric and aquamarine to midnight that can be donned with accessories such as shoes, headwear and jewellery or - even better - by the dress alone.


Modeca by Enzoani

Other top shades stealing the spotlight include pink, red, orange and yellow through to black - and, of course, monochrome still reigns supreme. In short, a kaleidoscope of colour from subtle powder and pastel hues to rich fruity shades and vivid jewel tones are all making waves.


Alfred Angelo

Buck the all-white wedding with a rainbow riot that starts with your frock and filters into the finer details with memorable flair for a very modern matrimonial.


Alfred Angelo


Annais Bridal, Little Anne Maids


Angels Carrying Savage Weapons




words Hannah May


Copyright WED Magazine 2013