Style and types of veils
The veil, as a wardrobe detail, appeared in history quite a long time ago. This element of the female image was first mentioned since ancient times. However, it acquired the appearance of a classical style only in the Middle Ages. The veil had two main tasks:
- protective, where the main duty of the veil was to cover women’s heads from the influence of the sun’s rays;
- moral, preventing strangers from casting overly curious glances into the faces of ladies.
In ancient times, both sides of the issue had equal importance for ladies who valued themselves. The appearance and forms have undergone a sufficient number of changes throughout history. In modern stores you can see such types of veils as:
- long cut that completely covers the face. Usually attached to pillbox hats;
- a medium-sized piece can reach the bridge of the nose. Usually attached either to a hat or to a hairstyle using its own attachment. It is made in the style of a floral arrangement, which is considered a complete complement to the image;
- short models barely cover their eyes. The fastening is usually located on the back of the head using either pins or its own mechanism.
However, these decorations are distinguished not only by length, but also by other criteria. Secondly, factors such as color and fabric material are taken into account.
- The first place in popularity is occupied by veils made of a rather rare material, namely a large mesh veil. They give the illusion of a closed image, and also allow the lady not to lose visual contact with the outside world. This version of the veil is relevant for any type of wedding.
- In second place in demand is a veil with a finer mesh. It adds mystery to the girl’s image, slightly erasing her facial features and visually blurring them from a distance. This model is suitable for ladies with complexes about their facial features, as well as real flaws and imperfections. For example, those who have undergone recent surgery. This model will also appeal to sensitive and romantic people.
By color, the most popular types of veils are white and cream. Unconventional people sometimes prefer black colors. Particularly relevant is a model with a black mesh in a Modern or Retro style. The image of a bride with a black veil and a high-tech dress will be interesting. The black veil model is suitable for brunettes, being a visual continuation of the hairstyle. This element is considered an ideal decorative element of a wedding dress, which, at a certain length of the bride, replaces the veil.
English vintage style veil: a stylish element
This style traditionally uses a medium-length mesh that slightly covers the eye. Particular care is recommended when decorating the model. One feather or flower is enough to make the image sparkle with new colors. But if you miss the moment, even 2 petals can cause the bride to look vulgar. Some inventive and romantic brides decorate the veil with small pearls.
French retro style veil
In this style, the length of the veil either reaches the middle of the cheekbone or completely covers the face. The fastening is located either on the top of the head or on the side of the hairstyle. The veil model is attached either to the side of the hairstyle or on the top of the head. Suitable decorations are considered to be plant components made from the same material as the base of the veil. Additions such as pearls or ribbons are also allowed.
Russian romantic veil style
Despite attaching the model to the side of the hairstyle, the mesh completely covers the bride's face. The length of the veil is usually the same as in the English style. The only difference is that in this case a more luxurious type of decor is allowed. Many ladies decorate their veil with flowers of the same shade as the main tone of the decoration. Often the image is complemented with rhinestones, pearls and other similar decor. For restraint and harmony, it is important not to overdo it with decorating the image.
Russian romantic
It involves attaching the decoration to the side of the hairstyle, while the mesh completely covers the hair. The length of the veil is the same as in the English version.
But richer decor is allowed. You can decorate with large flowers to match the fleur, or in other shades: pink, blue, lilac. White satin ribbons, pearls, and rhinestones are also used. Do not overload the image to avoid awkwardness.
Editor's choice: DIY wedding treasury - several options with tips
Wedding veil with hat
Many wedding stylists today focus on such decoration. In terms of color, the most relevant today are champagne, white, and milky options. The shape of the hat itself is selected based on the bride’s data, as well as her taste preferences. Stylists give the following recommendations:
- ladies with short stature should pay attention to a pillbox style hat;
- tall ladies can choose a wide-brimmed hat as decor, and place the decor in their area.
The most popular decorations for a hat with a veil are feathers, stones, pearls, and flower arrangements. Draping tulle in a lush style around the end of the hat will add an aristocratic look.
Hat
Hats off to this trend! Quite unexpected for a wedding look, but very fresh and stylish! A hat can give the whole look a clear direction. Straw wide-brimmed hat for a beach party or wedding in the spirit of French Provence; a dramatic black hat with metal studs for a rock star look; a beige or caramel model with a touch of ethnicity for a boho wedding; A soft and large snow-white hat for a classic celebration in the style of old Hollywood. Play with this accessory and be an original bride!
It is important that the wedding headdress or decoration matches the style of the bride’s dress and hairstyle. We advise you to think through the entire image so that every touch reflects your character and theme of the holiday. Read about trends in wedding dresses for 2021 in our article.
Wedding veil on headbands
This decoration is considered girlish and is suitable for young brides. A headband with a veil will add playfulness to the look and refresh it. The fleur, which is collected on the headband, is decorated with feathers, plant branches, or strings of small beads. Brides pay attention to this option also because it is easy to do it yourself. Consequently, the image will be more unique, and the decoration will fit perfectly into even the most extravagant looks.
Chicago style feathers
This option is suitable for themed wedding events. Feathers were a fairly common decorative element for women back in the 30s of the last century. If you manage to create a harmonious composition, you can return to those times and feel like a bride of that era. The images in the photographs are bright and unusual. When using rich decor, it is important not to go too far, otherwise the image will turn out to be overloaded. The ideal option would be one lush and beautiful feather, fixed in the middle of the hat.
Decor using large flowers
The most popular type of decoration for a wedding look are flowers. At the same time, not only images of brides are decorated with flowers, but also decorations for celebrations. With the help of large buds or flowers, you can create a feminine and sophisticated look. Ladies who prefer more discreet looks can pay attention to the small scattering of flowers along the veil of the decoration.
Hairstyles made with a veil
It is worth remembering that a veil is an unusual accessory that is not suitable for every wedding hairstyle. When creating a harmonious image, wedding stylists advise adhering to the following recommendations:
- For short haircuts, a veil with a short or medium length veil, which is attached to the back of the head, is ideal. In this case, it may visually give the impression of having a short veil. Massive jewelry is not suitable; in this case, it is recommended to opt for a scattering of flowers or small pearls. You can use a veil in the style of the English queen as decoration;
- For medium-length hair and a hairstyle with loose curls, there is an original solution in the form of an English veil. In this case, you can decorate it with the help of feathers or drapery, which are attached to the side. Also in this image, a veil with large flower buds is appropriate;
- if your hair is long and loose, you can complement the look with a Russian-style veil. You can also use floral veil decorations, but it is important to be careful here. If you overdo it a little, then instead of exquisite decor you can end up with something like a Christmas tree on your head.
If the hairstyle at the wedding is in the style of a shell or a bun, you can choose a veil with a mesh up to the chin or shorter. An elegant decoration will be an elven branch, which is attached to the side. A comb and tulle are ideal for such hairstyles.
A master class on creating a veil with your own hands is demonstrated in the video.
Unexpected headdresses for the bride
The initial purpose of a bride's headdress among any nation is to protect a young girl from evil spirits and the evil eye of ill-wishers, envious people and rivals. Today it is simply a traditional ritual containing a piece of folk flavor. Given the growing trend towards themed weddings, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find something new that is not hackneyed.
Editor's choice: Congratulations on your sister's wedding: what points to consider
And here are some ideas for very creative brides.
- Crown like in Norway. The base of the crown is copper or silver. An invariable attribute of such a crown is bells. By ringing, they drive away evil spirits. Today, crowns are rented from churches or wealthy families, where they are kept for decades. A crown from a church is considered good form. This is a symbol of virginity. Each province has its own version of the crown. In addition, each of them is individual in itself.
- Trapeze hat like in South Africa. Zulu brides are traditionally required to bare their breasts. Wedding clothing ultimately consists of a skirt, beads, and a headdress - ischolo. It all started with the tradition of shaving hair all over the head, except for the center. And those in the center - collect, smear with fat and form into a trapezoid. Then the hairstyle was replaced by a hat made of human hair and herbs, and even later hats began to be made from yarn and fabrics and embroidered with beads, each of the colors of which carries a certain symbolism.
- Saukele is like in Kazakhstan. This beautiful cap, according to tradition, should be very tall. The ability to wear it is a sign of good upbringing of the future wife, and the luck of touching the hearth of the yurt with the feathers on the top of the cap is a sign of the favor of higher powers. Now, instead of the hearth, you need to touch the frame of the front door. Velvet, silk or satin were stretched over a dense frame and embroidered with precious stones: turquoise, which promised happiness, carnelian, which promised health, and pendants made of silver or gold. At the top there was a uki - a bunch of eagle owl feathers, and at the bottom - expensive fur. The production time for such a headdress is on average a year, and the cost is a herd of 100 good horses. Even if a family cannot afford a very expensive saukele, a headdress made of satin or cloth was still considered a girl’s amulet and was kept for a long time.
Editor's choice: Wedding in denim style, photo review
Additional stylist tips
Before finally choosing one or another veil, wedding stylists recommend paying attention to other components of the wedding. Starting from the religion of the newlyweds and ending with rituals and activities during the day. After all, a veil is an element of an image that needs to cover something for various purposes, which were mentioned earlier. Also, do not ignore the influence of makeup and hairstyle on the choice of veil. Stylists' advice regarding this point will be as follows:
- with a strict hairstyle, it is best to attach the veil a little further from the top of the head, or to the side using a bow or flower arrangement. The size can be either minimal or multi-tiered. For such a choice, the dress should be of a classic, strict cut;
- When choosing complex hairstyles, you should pay attention to a veil with medium or small sizes with a sparse mesh. Either a hat or a single flower can decorate an element of your wardrobe. The sizes of the net and decorations depend on the length of the bride’s hair and facial features, as well as the style of the dress. Such veils are attached either to a hairpin or to a headband;
- An interesting addition to the look could be a veil with a bell-style cap. This look is perfect for a 60s themed wedding. It goes perfectly with retro dresses, in which the emphasis is on a full-cut skirt, slightly below the knees. Such a veil covers the face minimally;
- A veil can be an ideal accent for modern dresses that slightly cover certain parts of the body. An excellent solution would be to repeat a pattern or decor on a dress with a veil, for example, lace.
If the outfit includes a fur cape, for example, in the winter version, then you can consider the option of light mesh fabric.
In makeup under a veil, it is especially important to highlight the eyes. Combat makeup in the image of a bride looks at least ridiculous. But unusual arrows and lush eyelashes may well complement the image and become its highlight. You can complement the look with shades of purple, silver or lilac, depending on the overall range of the look. Emphasis on the lips should be avoided, otherwise the image will be overloaded. A common mistake is to combine a fluffy, overloaded veil with ballroom dresses. Stylists do not recommend overloading the bride's image with details.
However, with the right approach, a wedding veil can become an indispensable detail of the image.
Traditional wreath
Just a couple of centuries ago, a wedding wreath was a mandatory attribute of the bride. Then the main color of the wreath was orange, because it had to contain orange tree flowers. The bouquet was decorated only with ribbons and pearls. Wreaths for modern brides can be decorated with a huge variety of elements, including Swarovski rhinestones.
Editor's choice: Wedding dresses in retro style: models from different eras with photos
A wreath without a veil is very rare. As a rule, they are attached to each other within a single composition. The flowers on the wreath can be fresh or artificial - the girl’s choice.