Short dresses for a wedding, who can afford such an outfit?

New fashion

A long white dress is a true classic of wedding fashion. However, the tradition appeared relatively recently: the young Queen Victoria was the first to wear a snow-white outfit for her own wedding.

Before her, brides preferred purple, scarlet, emerald green and even black dresses, richly decorated with lace, gold embroidery and other decorative elements.

The poufy princess dress has dominated the wedding scene for over 100 years. It is still popular now, but shortened outfits are increasingly appearing on fashion catwalks, which look no less festive, romantic and stylish.

The first relatively short dresses for brides appeared in the 20s of the last century. The era of cars and Charleston demanded dynamics, mobility, and unusualness. Brides in short wedding dresses looked unusual and fashionable. The girls wore straight shirt dresses up to mid-calf length, lavishly decorated with glass beads, sequins, fringe, and multi-tiered frills.

Lace went out of fashion; instead of a bulky veil with orange blossom, the head of the bride with a fashionable short haircut with waves was decorated with a flirty headband or a small hat with a veil. The ensemble was completed with low-heeled, webbed shoes and a small bouquet.

Original short wedding dresses experienced their second peak in popularity in the 60s. Brides resolutely refused bulky multi-tiered toilets, choosing practical models of pastel colors that could be worn after the wedding. For sewing, dense textured fabrics that hold their shape well were used: brocade, lined lace, crepe, taffeta, crimplein.

The most common style of that time was a fitted top combined with a skirt with deep pleats, or an elegant sheath dress. Short outfits were equipped with sleeves, and sometimes stylish accessories were included in the set: boleros, removable collars, scarves and even muffs.

Interesting! A wedding look with a short dress was complemented by a short veil that could cover the face, or a pillbox hat.

Gloves were considered a mandatory accessory; short sleeves were matched with models longer than the elbow, but more often brides wore short gloves made of transparent nylon.

Today, wedding dresses of midi or mini length are firmly established in fashion catalogs. They are chosen by brides with a beautiful figure, as well as those who consider a long, lush toilet too conservative and boring. A short outfit is ideal for dancing, it does not restrict movement and fits into a celebration of any style.

What should a short wedding dress be like for summer and winter?

The summer season involves a combination of light and weightless fabrics: silk, guipure, taffeta, lace.

In winter, it is better to dress in something denser: satin, brocade, jacquard, crepe. You can learn how to choose a satin wedding dress from another article. It talks about all the features of this process. Lace is also welcome in the winter season, because it imitates frosty patterns in a wedding dress. Organza can also be used for decoration, as it adds fluffiness.

Vintage midi dress

Who is the outfit suitable for?

When choosing an outfit, you need to consider many factors:

the nature of the celebration;
wedding venue;
age, height and physique of the bride.

The image of a bride in a short wedding dress is ideal for themed parties in the style of the 20s, 50s, and 60s. Long toilets are completely inappropriate in these situations. Mini-outfits are suitable for outdoor picnics, weddings on the river or seashore.

Active newlyweds who love extreme sports will also like them. Those who are thinking about visiting guests on a scooter or flying in a hot air balloon should try on a shortened outfit.

Combining the Impossible

For brides who cannot decide which attire to choose for their wedding, short or long, we recommend choosing a short wedding dress with a train. This original compromise combines the best aspects of several styles.

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This style is characterized by a shortened length in front and a festive original train at the back of the outfit. It is advisable to choose a train from airy, almost transparent materials.

Designer

For young people, avant-garde options or outfits stylized in the 60s are suitable. Older adults will like stylish sheath dresses that accentuate their figure, or loose models that widen from the bust line. Alina Malykhina

Shortened models suit slender girls who do not need tight corsets. Slight fullness will not be a problem: if you choose the right style, it will be completely invisible. But for tall brides with curvy figures, it is better to purchase traditional long dresses.

When choosing the most beautiful short wedding dresses, you should consider your body type:

fragile girls with small breasts will suit shirt dresses or straight models made of flowing fabrics;
Sheath dresses or outfits complemented with a peplum will help make your figure more prominent;
A-shaped silhouette models can hide unnecessary volume;
An outfit with a full skirt in the style of the 60s is designed to emphasize the length and beauty of the legs.

Choosing the length of a short wedding dress

Among short wedding dresses, there are two types of length:

midi (knee-length or slightly lower);
mini (above the knees, very short).

A medium length is recommended for brides with full hips, since a hem that is too short will puff up unattractively on large hips. Also, midi is suitable for girls with tall stature and beautiful calves, because it is on them that attention will be concentrated at such a length.

A midi wedding dress must have a heel. Its height should be at least 5 cm so that the bride’s height does not decrease visually.

Young brides or girls with perfectly straight, slender legs can afford mini ones With a very short wedding dress, provided that it is simple, without numerous decorative elements, you can also wear ballet flats. The bride will look playful and youthful in these shoes.

The most popular styles

In photos of brides in short wedding dresses, the following types of outfits are most often seen:

A-line dresses. Sewn from soft, well-draped fabrics: silk, cotton velvet, viscose. The skirt can be straight or multi-level, it is possible to add frills, neckline, and decorative inserts.
Retro style dresses. Models hinting at the 50s of the last century. They have a tight-fitting bodice and a full, pleated skirt. In some cases, the outfit is complemented with tulle petticoats. For sewing, beautifully crafted fabrics are used: crepe, taffeta, organza.
Straight dresses. The classic version has no sleeves and is complemented by a lining. This model can be sewn from lace fabric, chiffon, or knitwear. They require original additions; without them they look too simple.

The wedding image of the bride in a short dress in the photo below perfectly illustrates how elegant a girl can be.

History of origin

This unusual style of dress appeared in the 19th century. Its history is connected with the popular cancan dance. For the first time, cabaret dancers appeared on stage in asymmetrical dresses. The image was very impressive and bright, but the style of the dress itself was associated with flighty people for a long time and was not widespread enough. Over time, tastes and trends have changed, and the cascading dress gradually began to enter wedding fashion.

Interesting! By the middle of the last century, brides' skirts became less long in the front, and a small train appeared at the back. And starting from the 1970s, asymmetrical dresses began to be included in the collections of famous couturiers.

Today, this style is not losing ground: designers around the world are creating new stunning cascading outfits for the bride’s look, for receptions and parties, as well as for everyday life. One feature unites all these wedding dresses: the front is short and the back is long. Photos will help you understand the idea with a clear example.

Selection of accessories

To make the image complete, it is important to choose all the components correctly: shoes, headdress, bouquet, gloves, jewelry. Accessories must be in the same style, but it is not necessary to purchase ready-made ensembles. It is much more interesting to create sets yourself, this will make the bride unique. You can read more about holiday attributes here.

Shoes

A long dress completely hides shoes and stockings, but a short dress exposes your legs for everyone to see. Great attention is paid to the correct selection of shoes - the choice depends on the height and physique of the bride, as well as on the nature of the toilet.

Ballet flats in pastel colors go well with a tutu dress. If the outfit is made of textured fabric, the shoes should be smooth; a simple dress will be decorated with fancy shoes made of lace fabric or imitation ostrich or snake skin.

A dress in the style of the 60s will be complemented by pumps with a rounded toe and low heels. The color should match the dress; contrasts are inappropriate. An interesting option is flesh-colored shoes without additional decor. It visually lengthens the legs and harmonizes perfectly with any style of dress.

An outfit with a multi-layered skirt goes well with sandals with high thin heels. Models with interlocking straps made of milky, cream, silver or golden leather are suitable. Sandals decorated with a large artificial flower look very impressive. Such models require a flawless pedicure in pastel colors.

Hats

Modern brides are still faithful to the veil - a symbol of femininity and purity. Many girls often wonder whether a short wedding dress can be combined with this accessory. For short models, a mini veil that reaches the shoulders or mid-back is suitable. Multi-layered options are interesting - they go well with smooth outfits complemented by a deep neckline.

Instead of a veil, you can wear a pillbox hat decorated with a veil. It will perfectly complement elegant sheath dresses or wedding suits with a short straight skirt.

An alternative option is a hat with a wide soft brim. It can be worn with a straight outfit made of flowing silk or chiffon fabric.

A-shaped models made of textured fabrics go well with funny hats made of artificial flowers. For those who do not like hats, you can limit yourself to artificial or fresh flowers in your hair. Dresses in the style of the 20s will be complemented by a satin ribbon with a large bud of an orchid, lily or peony.

Additional accessories

Gloves made of lace or transparent nylon go well with short outfits. An elegant muff made of natural or faux fur will complete your winter look. When choosing such an accessory, it is worth complementing the ensemble with harmonizing accessories: a fur pillbox hat, a bolero with a fluffy collar, original boots with an edge.

A wedding dress does not include an abundance of jewelry. A short dress can be accessorized with a pair of modest stud earrings, a sleek bracelet or a chain with a medallion.

Makeup and hairstyle

The styling should be in harmony with the outfit. A 60s style toilet requires a high bun, which can be decorated with a satin ribbon. A bride with short hair can use a chignon. A ponytail raised to the top of the head looks no less impressive. A low knot, located in the center of the head or shifted to the side, is combined with a tutu dress. A strict French snail or an elegant hairstyle with large curls laid on the top and back of the head will suit the sheath dress.

Loose A-line silhouettes and models made of light flowing fabrics with multi-layered skirts are in perfect harmony with romantic hairstyles: long, freely flowing curls, Greek braids, braids around the head.

If the choice fell on a dress in the style of the 20s, it is complemented by a short hairstyle of symmetrical waves laid on both sides of the side parting.

Wedding makeup should be as natural as possible. Outfits in the style of the 60s require emphasized eyes with dark shadows, arrows, and false eyelashes. It is better to paint your lips with pastel-colored lipstick or fruity gloss. Dresses in the spirit of the 20s will be complemented by dark red or deep pink lipstick, blush in the appropriate range, and beautifully designed eyebrows.

Liquid creams with reflective particles will help even out skin tone. You should not use correcting or glitter powder; it creates glare when taking photographs. Blush in pink, peach or coral tones will help refresh your face. Don't get carried away with bronzers; an overly tanned face doesn't go well with a bride's outfit. Read more about wedding makeup here.

What color to wear a short dress to a wedding

Bride's color type	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Girl spring. Light skin with blush. The hair is wheat, blond, less often – dark. Eyes gray-green, gray-blue, light brown. Examples: Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johannson, Cameron Diaz	Cream, peach, beige	Calm pink, soft blue	Golden, champagne, ivory	Silver blue, pearl pink
Summer girl. Cold complexion, ashen hair, eyes – light gray, light blue, green and hazel. Examples: Jennifer Aniston, Natalia Vodianova, Ksenia Sobchak	Coffee, cream, white	Rich pink, raspberry	Golden, ivory	Champagne, silver, white
Girl-autumn. Golden or yellowish skin, sometimes with freckles. Hair ranges from red to brown. The eyes are light blue, gray, muted green. Examples: Drew Barrymore, Lindsay Lohan, Mylene Farmer	Peach, olive	Aloe, cream	Bronze, light curry, copper	Silver, with a hint of lilac, violet (not blue)
Winter girl. Cool skin tone and contrasting dark hair. Eyes - blue, dark blue, black, eyelashes and eyebrows - dark. Examples: Penelope Cruz, Monica Bellucci, Liv Tyler	Red, pink, white	White, blue	Burgundy, white	Dazzling white, silver, black

The colors of dresses from the proposed table can and should be combined.

Fitted pencil dress with long sleeves. This is a purely classic option.

For a bride with a “winter” appearance who gets married in the spring, you can choose a snow-white dress with pink decorative inserts on the belt or with small red flowers and rhinestones. Extravagant colors of wedding dresses (burgundy, curry, black, red) can be afforded by brave girls or those planning a themed wedding. In another article you can read how to choose a red wedding dress.

Additional Tips

When choosing a dress, you need to pay attention not only to how it looks from the front, but also to the back. During most of the formal part, guests will be looking at the bride’s back; interesting elements in this area will not hurt. A deep neckline covered with lace or a transparent insert, a flat bow on the belt, and a raised skirt line look very impressive.

The shoes should be comfortable, because the bride will spend almost the whole day in them. It is advisable to choose models made of soft genuine leather that strictly correspond to the size of your feet. Shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause a lot of problems. A non-standard option is wedding boots.

You should bring a handbag that matches the style of your outfit. A mini bag on a chain, an elegant clutch or a classic rigid model with a short handle will harmonize with short dresses. You can put powder and lipstick in it for urgent makeup correction, a comb, deodorant or a bottle of perfume in a spray.

What to wear with it?

Once the dress has been chosen, you need to select accessories to go with it. If this is an outfit with a neckline, then you can complement it with a lace bolero or cape. This part of the toilet can then be removed if it gets too hot.

It is recommended to select shoes to match the dress or to match the trim if the dress is two-tone or decorated with colored embroidery. It is best to choose classic shoes. Models with an open toe are inappropriate in this case, since they are worn without stockings and tights, and this is not acceptable for the image of a bride.

White stockings, which brides love so much, don’t look too good with short dresses. For this outfit, it is better to choose tights or stockings that do not differ from the color of your skin.

If the shoes are supposed to be open, then you need to select special tights with an open toe.

A dress with a long train can be combined with boots, even if the wedding takes place in the summer. These can be tight-fitting stocking boots made of satin, lace, or perforated thin leather.

A traditional accessory for a bride's outfit is a veil. You don’t have to refuse it, even if the dress chosen is not a classic cut, but a short one. This outfit with a veil looks no less cute than a traditional one.

But a long, floor-length veil does not suit a short dress. The rule to remember is: the shorter the skirt, the shorter the veil should be. A lush multi-tiered shoulder-length veil goes perfectly with a dress with an asymmetrical skirt. A short dress with a straight silhouette looks great with small wedding hats with fascinators.

Summary

Fashionable short wedding dresses are a modern alternative to traditional pompous dresses. They can be emphatically elegant, girlishly perky, romantic or avant-garde. It all depends on the model and selected accessories that create the image of a fashionable and stylish bride.