Peculiarities
A Greek-style wedding dress looks beautiful no matter what the bride’s setting is.
This outfit is appropriate for a photo walk through the parks, in the hall of a chic restaurant during a banquet, and in any thematic decorations rented for on-site registration. The main trick of the designers is a loose cut and a lot of permanent folds. This dress seductively emphasizes the silhouette, hiding the slightest imperfections from prying eyes and emphasizing the most attractive parts of the body. Thanks to the cut, the outfit is extremely comfortable. It does not restrict movement, which means you can dance in it to your heart’s content and take part in competitions.
Another feature of the Greek wedding dress is simplicity . There is no unnecessary decor in such models. All the luxury lies in the expensive fabrics from which the dresses are made.
If you go too far with the decoration and choose, for example, a wide embroidered belt, the bride will have to give up flashy jewelry. Often, unobtrusive embroidery with a metallic sheen or multi-colored inlay with stones at the waist to match the dress is enough.
The materials chosen are predominantly light and flowing , for example chiffon. It's perfect for a summer wedding.
Accessories for a wedding dress
Sandals or strappy sandals are perfect for a Greek outfit. For jewelry, gold, silver and transparent stones look harmonious. So feel free to pair your dress with a necklace and bracelet. A wedding dress will be perfectly complemented by a hairstyle in the Greek style - a high hairstyle made of a cascade of wavy strands, gathered with ribbons, combs or decorative hairpins. A more complex option is the famous Greek braid, which will complete the bride’s wedding look. It’s good if the bride’s bouquet consists of delicate white flowers: large and small roses, orange blossom, freesia, calla lilies, eustoma along with lush greenery.
Drapery effect
A Greek dress will decorate any bride if you choose the perfect style so that it highlights the best in your figure.
Drapery options and their effect:
- folds decorating a skirt add volume to thin girls in the right places, or distract attention from wide hips - depends on the size of the folds and their design;
- drapery under the bust hides excess in the waist area, which is important for ladies in an interesting position;
- gathers on the chest add the missing volume and balance the proportions of the figure;
- textured folds along the hem of the dress visually add a few extra centimeters to the height of a short bride.
A style that suits everyone!
Few people can boast of an ideal figure and afford to wear a tight-fitting white dress to a wedding. This is why there are draperies and all kinds of finishes, to emphasize the advantages in some places and hide the shortcomings in others.
Quite often, brides get married in a delicate position, when the tummy is already noticeably rounded, and they want a beautiful and elegant dress.
The Greek style is ideal for an expectant mother. The folds will softly outline the figure and slightly hide the increased waist size. A high-waisted dress will make the bride and her baby comfortable and free.
For brides with curvy figures, this style is also ideal. The V-shaped neckline will visually lengthen the neck, the high waist will focus attention on the beautiful high chest, the floor length will visually lengthen the silhouette, and the draperies will slightly hide wide hips. Plump arms can be decorated with petal sleeves.
And for not quite young brides after 40 years, this style will be a very advantageous option. There is absolutely no need to give up a white wedding dress just because of your age. This model will hide figure flaws and emphasize femininity and elegance.
Color
The traditional white Greek dress looks especially solemn. You can choose models with laconic gold or silver trim, but not too distracting. The only purpose of correct finishing is to highlight the splendor of the wedding dress, and not to overshadow it.
The luxury of a wedding dress will also be emphasized by bleached pearl gray. The colors of tea rose and ivory will look perfect.
Important! You should not choose outfits in rich colors. They will violate the very concept of Greek dress.
For full
For those who for some reason do not consider white, for example, because it makes you look fat, there is a rich palette of color options. Greek-style wedding dresses in delicate pastel shades (coral, peach, rose, etc.) are perfect for plus-size brides.
Hair and makeup
To match the style of the goddess of antiquity, you need to choose the appropriate hairstyle. Small braids and soft curled curls will look organic.
- A low bun at the back of the head with two curled strands going down to the chin or below;
- Long braids laid around the head in the shape of a crown;
- Curly ponytail
- Hairstyle with long hair gathered into buns and pinned with pins. It has a considerable length and looks somewhat similar to a braid, which can be decorated with flowers or hairpins with rhinestones.
Makeup should be quite natural, emphasizing the natural color and radiance of the skin of the face and décolleté.
The emphasis is on the eyes and eyebrows, but they should not be emphasized too much. You can apply a little blush to highlight your cheekbones. Lipstick in delicate shades is the best fit for your chosen look.
Fabric texture
Recent years have dictated the trend for matte materials. For Greek dresses, luxurious fabrics are chosen, devoid of the slightest shine with a hint of cheapness.
It can be satin silk, noble crepe or the lightest chiffon. What Greek outfits are never entirely made of is lace. The maximum you can afford is accessories with lace trim in addition to a laconic outfit.
Noble textures with a simple cut are what makes Greek dresses unobtrusively chic.
History and style features
The style originated in Ancient Greece. The Greeks were famous for their precision, brevity, and ability to clearly express thoughts. But when creating clothes, they forgot about their principles. Thus, the Greek dress was distinguished by its asymmetry: the back side of the skirt was longer, and the strap was present only on one shoulder, which did not spoil the image at all.
Initially, the wedding dress resembled a sheath shirt, decorated with several folds. Over time, the number of folds changed, new belts and decorations appeared. The dress became especially popular during the time of Napoleon. His wife Josephine was delighted with Greek dresses, so she introduced the new fashion to the French court. Josephine's innovation was so liked by fashionistas in Italy and England that the Greek style remains fashionable all over the world to this day.
The style has its own special charm, which distinguishes the model from other dresses. Its characteristics:
- Grace. Achieved through a multilayer structure.
- Ease. When sewing, light, non-restrictive fabrics are used. For the bodice, fashion designers choose durable tulle, translucent muslin, openwork guipure or luxurious brocade. The skirt is made from noble satin, wrinkle-resistant satin, silk, and taffeta. Additionally, lace and organza are used.
- Divinity. If the model assumes the presence of crossed draperies, then a girl in such a dress will look like an ancient Greek goddess.
- Airiness. Open shoulders, arms, and a beautifully emphasized neckline lighten the look, creating the feeling that the girl is not walking, but hovering above the ground.
Greek models are strikingly similar to Roman-style dresses, which is why many people confuse them. But in Roman styles the draperies look a little different, although the untrained eye will not notice the differences.
Difference from Empire style dress
Some sources position Greek dresses and Empire style dresses as identical, but this is a mistake. The myth was born due to the fact that Empire style dresses have a high waistline. The same is found in some models of Greek outfits, but this is a secondary characteristic of them.
If you believe history, traditionally Greek women wore robes both without a belt and with a belt at the waist, and they began to prefer high-waisted tunics after marriage and the birth of children.
What really sets Greek dresses apart is the abundance of drapery and soft fabric folds. Plus, Greek dresses are most often asymmetrical: this concerns either the hem or the bodice with one strap or one sleeve.
Important criteria for choosing a wedding dress
- Choose the model that suits you. It’s worth looking through hundreds of models in magazines and trying on several options. But keep in mind that in the picture, the dress may fit perfectly on the girl. But each bride has her own features of appearance, which are worth knowing, hiding them with the help of clothes. Don't be afraid to try on something that's not your style. Perhaps the uncharacteristic style will suit you the most!
- Consider the specifics of the ceremony. If the wedding is taking place outdoors in the company of loved ones, give preference to a simple and light dress. For a formal ceremony where more than 200 guests are invited, choose brighter styles of Greek dress and several decorations. A knee-length flared dress with puffed sleeves is ideal in this case!
- Each figure has its own dress. Consider height, bust size, and body type when choosing a wedding dress.
- Variety of shades. Today you can go far from a snow-white dress. Lace models in soft pink, champagne, quince, and light golden look much more interesting. A white dress suits a cold type of appearance, while shades such as ivory and baked milk suit a warm type with slightly tanned skin.
We wish you to choose the perfect dress and remember your wedding for life!
Styles with photos
Traditional models of Greek dresses have a characteristic silhouette, similar to the tunic of Greek women. Modern versions have visually moved away from the original appearance, but have retained the idea in the form of many pieces of fabric connected by belts or fasteners. There are about ten styles favored by designers.
High waist
The flowing hem of a floor-length dress with a high waist plays a “pulling role”, which is why this style is especially appreciated by short girls.
Such models also help out fat ladies, as they help hide excess volume in the abdomen and hips. At the same time, lush breasts can be emphasized.
Asymmetrical
The asymmetrical hem becomes a true decoration of the Greek outfit. Due to the different lengths in front and behind, the skirt flows even more gracefully when walking.
A hem that is unequal in length opens up the legs and draws attention to them, allowing you to look aristocratic. If a bride wants to show off her slender legs without shocking her wedding guests with a too provocative outfit, an asymmetrical dress is what she needs.
Multilayer
Designers are increasingly moving away from the traditional tailoring of Greek clothing and experimenting with layers. This is how models with multi-layered chiffon skirts appear, looking especially solemn. The sharpened neckline area is in interesting harmony with the elegant hem.
Due to several layers of fabric, the skirt is full, and this is a great option for brides who want to look like a real princess when choosing a modern style.
For pregnant
If you need to choose a Greek-style wedding dress for pregnant women, you should pay attention to dresses with a high waist and gathers under the bust made of flowing fabrics.
They will help hide the “interesting position” and will not restrict movement. This is a matter of not only comfort, but also safety, because pregnant women are not recommended to wear tight clothing.
You can choose any top of the dress. As practice shows, most brides with a belly focus on the décolleté area, choosing a sleeveless dress with a deep neckline.
V-neck
Dresses with a V-shaped neckline are suitable for brides with small breasts and will help to visually enlarge them. For the same purpose, decoration on the bodice with beads or Swarovski crystals is used.
The advantage of a V-neck is that it visually lengthens a woman’s neck, and it is known to be one of a woman’s main assets in the struggle for attractiveness in the eyes of her new husband.
With criss-cross drapery
One of the original design solutions of recent years, emphasizing the beauty of the hands, is the criss-cross drapery on the chest. This is the best top option for women with beautiful shoulders.
Criss-cross drapery helps to visually smooth out some imperfections, for example, the very common asymmetry of the chest.
With an armhole over the shoulder
A stylish version of the armhole over the shoulder is in fashion, designed to emphasize the elegance of the décolleté area. By exposing one shoulder, the bride is guaranteed to attract the admiring glances of all guests and looks very feminine. Such a dress, which is the pinnacle of decorative perfection, does not even require rich jewelry in addition.
Advice! Armhole options made of fabric of a different texture or color, for example, transparent, look interesting.
With the asymmetry created by the shoulder opening, the bride looks like a forest nymph. The outfit goes well with all types of flat sandals. Perfect for on-site registration in the lap of nature.
With a train
Dresses with a cascading train from the waist look especially luxurious. It can be of any length - it depends on the desire and ability of the bride to handle it. Just don’t choose outfits with a train for short girls.
The materials usually preferred are chiffon, organza and other airy fabrics. The decoration of the train often duplicates the decor of the dress.
Despite all its advantages, an outfit with a train has a serious drawback: it is uncomfortable to wear for a long time. If the bride does not plan to change clothes during the wedding day, it is better to choose a model with a removable train that is attached to invisible buttons.
With straps
The thin straps, decorated with trim, perfectly outline the neckline and draw attention to the graceful lines of the neck. They can be embroidered with rhinestones or bugles, decorated with a brooch or bow, or decorated with Greek gold ornaments.
The straps are not always made of the same material as the dress. An interesting design solution is the pearl threads that act as straps.
With sleeves
A Greek-style wedding dress with sleeves solves several problems at once: wide sleeves hide the fullness of the arms, and small sleeves emphasize the grace of a fragile figure.
The cut of the sleeves should fit into the lightness of the airy Greek dress. Even wide harnesses should be lowered and weightless so that the dress looks harmonious, and none of those present would guess that the sleeves are hiding some minor flaws.
Light puff sleeves look good. Women with perfectly beautiful hands can also afford options up to the wrist.
Short
Short dresses are becoming a rare choice for weddings, and yet these original designs look great on bold brides. In this dress you can go to off-site registration on the ocean shore and feel comfortable. Or use it as a backup option during the dance and entertainment part of the celebration.
Short models repeat the features of long ones, only variations appear in the waistline . It can be solid, with an allowance or overstated. The solid waist line is usually made of a different material or decorated with additional elements, and the line with an allowance is formed by gathered fabric braid.
A short Greek dress will appeal to brides who are confident in the irresistible slenderness of their own legs and want to demonstrate this beauty.
The rules for choosing accessories for a short Greek dress are the same as for long models. The only thing: the bride gains more freedom in choosing shoes and can emphasize the beauty of her legs with high light boots or Greek lace-up sandals to the knees.
Features of the style
The Greek wedding dress has a special cut - it is high-waisted and floor-length with flowing large folds.
This solution visually lengthens the legs and elongates the figure. Therefore, the bride will look even more graceful and slender in it. This style harmoniously emphasizes all the advantages of the figure, making it feminine and attractive.
A wide variety of models of this style will help you choose the best option for any celebration.
What are they - the goddesses of Olympus? They are the same as all women: a little capricious and demanding, but without a doubt irresistible and beautiful.
Each bride will be able to try on the image of Aphrodite, Artemis or Hera. And feel like a delightful celestial who has conquered everyone with her beauty and charm.
Greek wedding dresses, photos of which you can see below, in the classic version are distinguished by the following features:
- V-neckline with two straps, or asymmetrical version over one shoulder,
- high waist trimmed with a thin belt,
- draped flowing floor-length skirt made of light fabrics.
But you can find many variations of this style; different elements can be added to the classic motifs:
- The top can have not only a “V-shaped” neckline, but also a “straight”, “heart” or asymmetrical one.
- There are shortened models up to the knee, otherwise made according to all the canons of this style.
- The dress can have sleeves added in the form of lowered straps or even a batwing style, ¾ long, but in any case they are light and exclusively decorative.
- The belt can be thin and located directly under the chest. Or wide from satin fabric and wrap around the waist completely.
- The skirt can be asymmetrical or with slits that reveal the legs just above the knee.
Accessories – pictures and tips
In addition to Greek attire, it is not traditional to wear a veil. As an analogue, use the long cape of the dress itself. The hair is decorated with a tiara, thin headband or braid.
If it is still important for the bride to walk down the aisle with her head covered with a veil, the most airy options made from very light fabric are suitable. You can pin the veil to your hair using flower pins or secure it to a delicate snow-white floral wreath.
Advice! Older women can wear an elegant white or cream hat with a wide brim instead of a veil.
Large jewelry made of silver or gold metal look great as accessories: hairpins, headbands, earrings, bracelets. Do not overuse accessories: if you have chosen a gold set, let it be without precious stones.
The choice of suitable shoes is quite rich. These can be classic light-colored high-heeled shoes, elegant flat sandals, or sandals. If you want to get away from traditional white, you can consider options for gold and silver shoes, but it is important to make sure that they are in harmony with the dress fittings and other accessories.
Add-ons
A minimalist and elegant dress is wonderful. All that remains is to place the necessary accents and add zest to the image. An incorrectly chosen hairstyle or accessories can negate the entire attractiveness of the dress. Jewelry for such an outfit should be made from natural materials. This could be a necklace, beads, stones, gold and silver jewelry. Choose additions to your outfit, taking into account the Greek motto: “Minimalism and perfection.”
Malachite, pearls, agate will perfectly complement the image. Silver earrings and necklaces are inexpensive, and together with stones such jewelry looks simply luxurious.
The bride's bouquet
The bouquet of a bride who has chosen the Greek style should be very delicate. Callas, lilies, and orchids are appropriate. Snow-white peonies look original. To harmoniously complete the image, you can weave fresh greenery into the bouquet, imitating laurel shoots.
If you are worried that a light bouquet will blend in with your outfit, add color accents to it with delicate violets, freesias or tulips. Or create a lemon or soft pink bouquet from these flowers. It is important that the bouquet not only harmonizes with the outfit, but also matches the overall color concept of the wedding.
If you want to hold an interesting and traditional Greek bouquet in your hands, choose voluminous and cascading compositions with wild grapes, olive or myrtle branches. The last plant is considered magical in many countries: they say it protects love in a new family.
Popular models
The Greek ideal of beauty was based on harmony in the proportions of the human body. According to the Hellenes, which is what the ancient Greeks called themselves, every girl should personify the embodiment of the goddess Athena on earth.
From the statues of the goddess found, it is not difficult to imagine the Greek ideal of the female figure and the variants of its attire. In the 2017–2018 season, modern wedding designers presented their interpretation of the styles of the past. The following models walked the catwalks:
- Open type option. The bodice of this model is stiffer and fits tightly around the chest. Can be decorated with embroidery with separate inserts of Swarovski stones or rhinestones. Folds falling straight from the waist are presented both in a mono version in one fabric, and multi-layered in a cascade form. The length of such a dress is basically floor-length, plus a few centimeters for the train.
- Modifications with sleeves. There are a lot of options for Greek style outfits with sleeves. Let's look at the most popular ones. Small sleeves covering the shoulders look very light and gentle. A play of base and support fabrics is possible. Floral motifs in lace or guipure weaving are interesting. The line of the shoulders, waist and chest can also be marked with color. White color dominates in wedding dresses, combined with gold leaf, soft silver, soft cream shade, etc. The lantern sleeves, made of chiffon, opened at the base, frame slightly open arms with light waves, making the image mysterious and elusive. Here, both asymmetrical, with one sleeve, and a classic straight version are possible. The sleeves can be fastened with massive gilded brooches to match the belt. “Wings” sleeves are an option for girls whose silhouette requires slight correction. Made from lightweight fabrics, they add airiness to the look, while softly hiding the shoulders. The ends of the sleeves are attached to the wrists with openwork cuffs. The base can come either from the side line of the bodice or from the center, where the brooch acts as a fastening link.
- Closed dresses. For celebrations in autumn or winter, Greek closed-type models are relevant. They can be made of denser materials and have a removable or stationary cape with long sleeves. There are also summer versions of such outfits. These are examples of grace and brevity.
Greek wedding dress styles are knee-length, midi and maxi. They are practically not represented in the mini version, as they visually shorten the figure.
Recommendations
Consider your figure when choosing a dress. For example, if you want to hide the volume in the upper part of the body, choose a straight-cut bodice, and if you want to elegantly highlight the neckline, pay attention to V-necks.
When buying a wedding dress in the Greek style, do not forget the main rule - do not overdo it with the decor . Look how impressive the laconic styles look in the photos posted in the article.
Important! Avoid adding a veil to a Greek dress to keep the outfit looking authentic.
How to create a harmonious image
As mentioned above, the best complement to the look of a white wedding dress in an antique style is gold. Luxurious gold jewelry - massive, large earrings, necklaces, chokers or elegant, graceful pendants, bracelets and rings - are more than justified here. However, the bride should not wear all the jewelry in the box at once (for example, huge earrings with a luxurious necklace), so as not to overload the image and look tasteless. It is better to opt for one thing: either a necklace or earrings with large stones.
An image with a short wedding dress will be perfectly complemented by a wide bracelet with a complex pattern in the Greek style.
You can create a non-trivial stylish look using bracelets on your forearm. Popular options are in the form of snakes and with fancy ornamental patterns:
Hairstyles in the Greek style are simple, but at the same time incredibly elegant and stylish. The simplest option is loose hair, curled and decorated with a gold tiara or a richly decorated hoop.
The Greek hairstyle with a hoop is very popular among brides:
It fits perfectly with an antique-style outfit, looks incredibly beautiful and sophisticated, and besides, it is very easy to braid - you can watch the master class in the video:
Greek style hair jewelry:
Accessories
An integral part of the bride's outfit are accessories that make the image more complete. They perform another function - to add a few accents to the image and emphasize the beauty of youth. Are you planning a Greek goddess style wedding dress? Limit yourself to a small number of accessories.
For full figure and pregnant girls this is one of the best solutions
If the outfit is modest, then a pearl necklace on the neck or a large bracelet of an original shape on the hand would be a good addition. Fine jewelry made of gold, platinum, and silver will always be appropriate.
The main attributes of the bride are the veil and bouquet. A classic veil is inappropriate for this style. It can easily be replaced with a thin headband with a large white flower, a delicate floral wreath, or a more chic accessory - a tiara.
The finishing touch to the bride's outfit is the wedding bouquet. To prevent it from blending in with the white dress, you can choose brighter shades for the bouquet. Choose bright red roses, soft pink tulips, blue hydrangeas.
“Empire style” or Greek style wedding dresses? Let's look at the differences
Quite often in fashion blogs you can find an erroneous interpretation that the Greek dress is synonymous with an empire style dress. This is fundamentally wrong. Despite a certain similarity in the design and style of the styles, “empire” is more likely to be an analogue of the Greek dress, suitable to replace the Greek style, but not its second name.
To remove all doubts and questions, let’s take a closer look at what the differences are between the two options for wedding dresses. Naturally, photos of Greek wedding dresses and Empire style outfits are attached for better clarity and clarity of the fashion issue.
- The most important difference is the decor. As mentioned above, a Greek style wedding dress has an extremely simple appearance, but a very complex design work. The main decor is created through textured draperies. There are no draperies in an empire style wedding dress. Waves and soft lines are used here.
Photo from the site: smskay.ru
Photo from the site: svadbagolik.ru
- In empire wedding dresses, lace is often used, both in the decoration and in the fabric itself. In the Greek version, as you remember, this is not allowed.
Photo from the site: ecodom-viga.ru
Photo from the site: ask30.ru
- The hem of an Empire wedding dress can be multi-layered; in a Greek dress, the illusion of simplicity is important, and therefore no fluffy or voluminous skirts. And yet, in the “empire” style there is never a narrowed and straight silhouette of the skirt; in the Greek variation of the wedding dress this occurs.
Photo from the site: apartment-anapa.ru
Photo from website: vandybridal.com
- The waistline in an empire dress is always under the bust. In a Greek outfit, it can be either overstated or in the usual place, or it can be completely absent. So you will never find an empire style wedding dress with a corset, but if you want to emphasize your waist as much as possible, you can choose Greek wedding dresses with a corset (photo).
Photo from the site: radamebel23.ru
Photo from the site: svadba.net.ru
Interesting
The Empire style originated at the beginning of the 19th century during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, and literally meant imperial. It is known that the French emperor was a passionate admirer of the values of the Roman Empire, which in turn absorbed the cultural heritage of Ancient Greece. And the great commanders of ancient empires set them as examples to follow. Napoleon's wife Josephine Beauharnais, supporting the hobbies of her crowned husband, introduced into fashion dresses whose style was reminiscent of the outfits of ancient beauties. The interest in such dresses was not accidental. The Empress, who by that time had already given birth to two children and was not young, thus hid her slightly blurred figure. From France, the comfortable style of dress spread throughout Europe.
- "Empire" always has sleeves, even long ones. In the Greek dress they are absent, or they are presented in the same asymmetrical version. In other words, when talking about a Greek-style wedding dress with sleeves, a more correct clarification would be “with sleeves.”
Photo from the site: iterapet.ru
Photo from the site: burla-news.ru
- "Empire" implies clear lines and perfect symmetry. The Greek bride's dress is often asymmetrical, both in the upper part and in the skirt area. In addition, a Greek dress may have a slit, which is unacceptable in a variation of an empire style wedding dress.
Photo from the site: ngre9.ru
Photo from the site: victoriya-salon.ru
- The length of an empire wedding dress is always strictly to the floor. If you are dreaming of a short wedding dress, reminiscent of the attire of ancient Greek nymphs, then pay attention to the shortened models of wedding dresses in the Greek style. Various lengths are acceptable here: mini, maxi, midi.
Photo from the site: cleanzy.ru
Photo from the site: frostmusic.ru
- An empire style dress is usually accompanied by a veil. But the bride in Greek attire, as you remember from the beginning of our review, is always presented without a veil (with rare exceptions).
Photo from the site: okplatya.ru
Photo from the site: eroklassniki21.ru
Where can you inexpensively order a fashionable dress in the Greek style?
Online stores are becoming increasingly popular, where you can not only quickly and conveniently find a suitable option, but also the price of the dress will be significantly lower than in stationary salons and boutiques. And this is not at all because the dress is of worse quality or does not correspond to the fashion trend. Companies that sell goods via remote access cooperate with manufacturers directly, which allows them to offer wedding dresses at the best market price, without additional markups. In addition, the collections offered are the newest and most modern models, corresponding to global fashion trends and certified quality.
The advantages of buying online are obvious. You don’t have to adjust to the store’s opening hours; you don’t even have to leave your home. At any convenient time, you “go” to the catalog page and leisurely “walk” along the “windows”, choosing what you like. Having placed your purchases in a virtual basket, you place an order online in the same manner, make payment (which can also be made through an electronic wallet) and order delivery.
