TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE STRUCTURE - Browns Bride (2024)

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STRUCTURED UNSTRUCTURED FAQs

Wedding dresses like all fashion, come in a confusion of styles, fabrics and cuts, the search is to find the right mix for you. Designers such as Mira Zwillinger, Peter Langner and Monique Lhuillier are all renowned for the fine corsetry in their gowns. In choosing your wedding dresses you are searching for a design that stands out as special and above all – makes you feel special. Belowwe explain the differences between structured and unstructured wedding dresses, tomake looking for the dress a little easier.

TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE STRUCTURE - Browns Bride (1)

Shopping for your wedding dress is unlike any other shopping experience you have ever known. In our daily lives and even when we are getting dressed up for an important event, we mainly wear a dress or an outfit that slips happily over our faithful bra and hold-in pants. We rely on that hidden “scaffolding” to make us feel our best for every occasion. However when it comes to the most important occasion of all, your wedding day – your trusty underwear may not suit the gownyou choose.

Once you start trying on wedding dresses you may decide you want a strapless gown, maybe even backless.That’s where structure comes into play.

There are so many categories of wedding dresses these days, the list is endless. So in this blog post we break all the designers we carry at Browns Bride into two categories; structured and unstructured.

STRUCTURED

Some dresses come with what we described as “structure”, this means the dress is equipped with some kind of boning, consisting of lightweight strips of plastic sewn between the seams of the bodice of your dress. This boning is used to help the bodice stay in place when wearing a strapless dress. It can also help you with your posture, something that comes into play when you walk down the aisle!

This boning is also a great help to the woman who has a bust and feels that she always has to wear a bra under her clothes. Structure in a wedding dress helps you feel just as comfortable but without wearing a bra and allowing you to expose more of your neckline, shoulders or back. Today’s dresses from all our international designers may have structure but are also made with lightness and comfort in mind.

For something with the finest structure we turn our attention to Peter Langner Romon Keveza and Mira Zwillinger. Zwillinger requires thirty specific measurements in order to meticulously construct each corset – ensuring a perfect fitting gown for the big day. Peter Langner draws from his experience at Dior and Romona draws from her hard earned couture apprenticeship.

Monique Lhuillier is one of the most famous names in bridalbut when it comes to the structure in her gowns, she likes to be less conventional. The structure is there and does give support, but the boningis extremely malleable and soft – not what one would expect from a corseted gown. This lightweight infrastructure makes Lhuillier’s gownscreate perfect balance of soft romance with polished elegance.

Then we have Galia Lahavwho’s whole unique structure makes you feel as if you are wearing a light elasticated corset that pulls you in and pushes you out in all the right places! Similarly to Galia Lahav, our Australian designer Pallas Couture also keep a a delicate structure in their gowns. Pallas Couture gowns are ever-so-sexy, so to help themcreatecurves in all the right places they use a very subtle structure in the bodices of their gowns. Their structure usually involves some light boning with an additional cup, to help a bride feel held and confident.

UNSTRUCTURED

In the 1920s we saw the first bias cut dresseswith the purpose of beingdesigned to be loose. This freed the woman from constraints of Victorian heavy whale-boned gowns that restricted a woman’s mobility, thesegowns also represented the first steps towards woman’s emancipation. Today the bias cut dress andfree flowing romanticlook has a permanent place in our wedding wardrobe.

Gowns which are unstructured are perfect for destination weddings as they are lightweight and easy to travel with. Additionally, these dresses would also suit the setting of a garden wedding for brides wanting something understated and relaxed.

For something more relaxed and unstructured, we recommend designers such as Elizabeth Fillmore and Lihi Hod. Elizabeth Fillmore’s cool, effortless vibe is builtfrom a collection ofsheath, un-corsetedgowns with little to no structure. Fillmore maintains a sexiness throughout her collection by designing dresses which are cut on the bias. Bias cut dresses are cleverly designed to cling to a woman’s body in all the right places;the patternis cut diagonally across the grain of the fabric, allowing the to fabric to fall in a beautiful draped manner. To be able to wear these dresses you need to feel comfortable with your body; especially if you want to wear something plunging or backless.

Lihi Hod is another designer we carry who likes to keep structure to a bare minimum. Lihi Hod gowns are usually made from delicate French laces and soft flowing chiffons. The lack of structure in these gowns maintains their light, dreamy nature.

Ines Di Santo also create an effortless look from their collection, by not using much structure at all. Given that the majority of our dresses by Ines Di Santo, the lack of structure in these gowns helps maintain a fluid, romantic look.

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To come in store to browse all of our designers within our collection, please call us on 020 7034 1400 or alternatively you can email us at enquiries@brownsbride.com

TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE STRUCTURE - Browns Bride (2024)

FAQs

What does the color brown mean in a wedding dress? ›

Brown hues like caramel and coffee represent a steady conservative nature that will always be reliable. Gothic influences of the colour black demonstrate power, sophistication and wealth mixed with an air of mystery.

What is the structure of a bridal gown? ›

STRUCTURED. Some dresses come with what we described as “structure”, this means the dress is equipped with some kind of boning, consisting of lightweight strips of plastic sewn between the seams of the bodice of your dress. This boning is used to help the bodice stay in place when wearing a strapless dress.

Who is sassi holford? ›

Sassi Holford is an award-winning British fashion designer who has been creating bridal gowns, couture dresses and timeless evening wear for over 40 years.

Why can't the groom see the bride's dress before the wedding? ›

Tradition says

The tradition of grooms not seeing brides in their wedding dresses started because of arranged marriages. The parents of the bride were afraid that if the groom saw her before the wedding, he would break the arrangement.

What color should the bride's dress be? ›

It is very traditional for brides to wear white on their wedding day. When you start looking at wedding dresses online or at a bridal shop, you will see wedding dresses labeled with many different color names, from white to ivory to off-white to diamond white to cream and many color names and shades in between.

Is brown a wedding color? ›

Brown is one of the easiest wedding color for brides. There are various different colors in brown, the pale and light brown are beautiful for spring and summer weddings, deep and dark brown are frequently seen in the popular autumn season.

What makes a wedding dress stand out? ›

Fabric. Personal style, texture, movement and your wedding season are all important factors when considering different wedding dress fabrics. One dress could look and feel drastically different if you made it using two different fabrics, since each material is designed to produce a distinct effect.

What gives a dress structure? ›

Interlining. Interlining is added as an extra layer between the outer fabric and inner lining to give support and structure to the outer fabric. Interfacing is added to specific areas whereas interlining is added to the whole garment/area.

What is the structure of a dress called? ›

Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 3 min read. A dress silhouette is the overall shape that a dress creates when it hangs on your body—it's the dress outline.

Who made Kate Middleton's wedding dress? ›

The wedding dress worn by Catherine Middleton at her wedding to Prince William on 29 April 2011 was designed by English designer Sarah Burton, creative director of the luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen.

Who made Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid dress? ›

After stepping out in a one-of-a-kind satin gown, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Pippa became an overnight sensation - and ever since brides and bridesmaids alike have been replicating her look.

Who made Serena Williams wedding dress? ›

Serena Williams: $3.5 million

Her Alexander McQueen dress designed by Sarah Burton—complete with a cascading cape and sweetheart neckline—makes history as the most expensive wedding dress at a whopping $3.5 million price tag.

Who gives the bride something blue? ›

Grandmothers often gift the bride a piece of vintage jewelry for the “something old” segment, and “blue” can be interpreted in many ways— from ribbons to shoes to bridesmaids dresses and so on. Some brides choose to give themselves the objects, but this is less common than receiving small gifts that fit the old rhyme.

Why do bride and groom stay apart the night before? ›

Superstitious beliefs have kept many a couple separated until the ceremony, protecting their matrimonial fate from being doomed from the start. The tradition of spending the wedding eve apart is when to-be-weds refrain from seeing one another the night before their wedding, often until the ceremony.

Can the bride and groom sleep together the night before the wedding? ›

The big decision lots of couples are asking themselves is whether to spend it together or stick to tradition and sleep apart. It really is entirely up to you. There isn't a rule that says you have to but here's what's most important: that you relax. You'll want to rest up so you're totally prepared for your wedding.

What should the mother of the bride not do? ›

Mother of The Bride: How to Avoid Upstaging or Upsetting the...
  • Consult with The Bride. ...
  • Avoid Being Too Casual. ...
  • Don't Make the Wedding About You. ...
  • Don't Be Pushy. ...
  • Don't Tell Her Who Should Be Her Bridesmaids. ...
  • Don't Compare Her Wedding to Others. ...
  • Don't Be Too Critical. ...
  • Don't Make Empty Offers.

What color should the mother of the groom not wear? ›

Colors a Mother of the Groom Should NOT Wear

It's best to avoid wearing white or any color that resembles the bride's wedding outfit. You may also want to steer clear of blush, beige, or other light neutral tones that may appear lighter on camera. "Skip black or white, unless the bride and groom have requested it.

Who buys the bride's dress? ›

The bride's side of the family traditionally pays for the bride's wedding dress and the bridesmaids' dresses. Increasingly, however, bridesmaids are paying for their own dresses.

What is the color of the wedding in 2023? ›

Pantone's Color of the Year 2023 Is Viva Magenta—Here's How to Use It in Your Wedding Design. This "brave and fearless" hue will breathe new life into your celebration's color palette.

What color scheme is brown? ›

Brown is a composite color, meaning that it can be created by mixing red, yellow, and black pigments, or by combining orange and black (to effectively create a darker shade of orange). In an RGB additive color model, brown is created by combing red and green together.

What kind of wedding dress do guys like? ›

Of the 88 guys we surveyed, 48% would like to see their future bride in a fitted gown, and only 28% prefer her in a ball gown. As we suspected, 31% said they could care less about the shape of their lady's wedding dress.

What makes a wedding dress more expensive? ›

Beadings, hand-placed lace, and floating appliques are few of the most used adornment that can add up to the cost of a wedding gown. The more intricate the designs and fabric, the more the higher the cost of the gown. Also, embellishments are added manually to the gown that adds a lot of work to finish the details.

What makes a dress look expensive? ›

7 ways to make your outfit look expensive
  1. Build up the bones of your wardrobe. ...
  2. Add in inexpensive on-trend items. ...
  3. Opt for chic neutrals. ...
  4. Swap in fun accessories for your night look. ...
  5. Invest in a great coat. ...
  6. Be like Kate Middleton. ...
  7. Whatever you're wearing, just rock it. ...
  8. 7 tips on how to take care of your heels.

What is the most important thing in a dress? ›

"What is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it." -- Yves Saint Laurent | Fashion quotes, Woman quotes, Yves saint laurent.

What are the 5 elements of dress and appearance? ›

CAP Manual 39-1, Paragraph 1.1. 1.4. It is critical for members to maintain a high standard of dress and personal appearance. The five elements of this standard are neatness, cleanliness, safety, uniformity, and good organizational image.

What does structured outfit mean? ›

Clothing designers sometimes call certain garments structured when they are carefully tailored and deliberately shaped (like a blazer), rather than loose and flowing (like a long, unfitted skirt). Definitions of structured. adjective. having definite and highly organized structure.

What are the three levels of dress? ›

Classifications are divided into formal wear (full dress), semi-formal wear (half dress), and informal wear (undress).

What is the opening in a dress called? ›

A stomacher is a decorated triangular panel that fills in the front opening of a woman's gown or bodice.

What dress size is Kate Middleton? ›

READ MORE. According to a royal source, Kate weighs around 8st 7lb and is a size six.

Did Kate pay for her wedding dress? ›

People often thought that only the royal family could afford such an expensive dress. However, it was informed that Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, are the ones who pay the bill for the $434,000 dress. Her family owned a $50 million online party supplies business.

How much did Meghan Markle's wedding dress cost? ›

Markle's wedding dress cost around US$265,000

And for the big day, Markle's US$265,000 simple boat-neck ceremony dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.

Why did Kate Middleton cry at dress fitting? ›

In his new book Revenge, Tom Bower claims unnamed sources told him the duch*ess of Cambridge, 40, and the duch*ess of Sussex, 40, disagreed over the hemline of Charlotte's dress as well as the fit. They also did not agree about whether the bridesmaids "should wear tights" at the wedding.

Who designed the toilet paper wedding dress? ›

Laura Gawne and Susan Bain, the creators of the Contest and of Charm Weddings and also Matt Mamula of Ripley Entertainment judged the dresses to determine the winners. The Fan Favorite was awarded to Frank Cazares.

Who designed Meghan Markle's wedding reception dress? ›

On the day of the wedding, Kensington Palace revealed that "acclaimed British designer" Clare Waight Keller designed the dress.

Does Serena have a wig? ›

Caption Options

“Of course I'm up on the wig craze, and I just don't know how to clean my wigs and how to style them,” she says in one clip. "But I did get this new wig head. It doesn't sit very still…"

Why does Serena Williams wear face paint? ›

The small sections of plaster on Williams' cheek are medical tape designed to help relieve the 40-year-old's sinus problems, according to The Times.

How much did Kourtney Kardashian's wedding dress cost? ›

The mum of three picked a Dolce & Gabbana gown which was worlds away from the $500k wedding dress sister Kim Kardashian wore to marry now ex-husband Kanye West. Kourtney's D&G dress was a corset-style mini costing $1,825 (£1,500).

What are the 5 things a bride needs? ›

The tradition is based on an Old English rhyme that dates back to 19th-century Lancashire. It describes the items a bride should have on her wedding day: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe."

Do you wear your engagement ring on your wedding day? ›

Traditionally, the wedding band goes first on the finger so it's closest to the heart. To ensure the proper position, some brides temporarily move their engagement ring to their right hand. Then, after the nuptials, they return the ring to their left hand over the wedding band.

Who gives the bride a sixpence? ›

A Silver sixpence in her shoe is something traditionally the father will gift to the bride on her wedding day. It is custom for the father to slip the silver sixpence into the bride's heel before she is walked down the aisle. So what is a silver sixpence wedding? It is one full of luck and prosperity.

What is the first night after marriage called? ›

In the Indian context, Suhag Raat is a significant ritual in the life of a newly married couple. It refers to the first night when the marriage is consummated. In this ritual, the bed of the couple is decorated with flowers, which are believed to bring sweetness to their relationship.

What is the day before your wedding called? ›

What is a rehearsal dinner? The rehearsal dinner is an event tied to the ceremony rehearsal the day before the wedding. Often, gifts from the couple will be presented to the family and bridal parties.

Why can't the groom see the dress? ›

Tradition says

The tradition of grooms not seeing brides in their wedding dresses started because of arranged marriages. The parents of the bride were afraid that if the groom saw her before the wedding, he would break the arrangement.

Who stays with groom night before wedding? ›

Stay Over with the Groom

Traditionally, the best man may stays with the groom the night before the wedding. Prepare for this with drinks and lots of snacks, but make sure the groom doesn't drink too much or eat anything that could cause an issue the next day.

What do most couples do on their wedding night? ›

And for many newlyweds, that is indeed the case. According to a new WeddingWire survey of over 350 recently-married couples, nearly 40 percent of newlyweds had sex on their wedding night (and 22 percent of brides donned special lingerie for the occasion).

Who stays where night before wedding? ›

Many brides opt to let their fiance stay at home while turning their last night into a girl's night, staying at a hotel with their maid of honor or with all of their bridesmaids (whose job it is to make sure that after all the gossip and giggling, you catch some serious z's).

What do the colors of wedding dresses mean? ›

8 Wedding Gown Colors, Their Meanings and When to Use Them
  • White – Purity. ...
  • Ivory – Tainted Purity (According to Some) ...
  • Light Gold – Wealth and Elegance. ...
  • Purple – Royalty, Power, Sophistication. ...
  • Black – Elegance, Sophistication, Sexuality. ...
  • Red – Power, Love, Warmth. ...
  • Pink – Innocence, Femininity. ...
  • Yellow – Laughter, Adventure.
Aug 22, 2019

What do wedding theme colors mean? ›

Red- orange: Desire, sexual passion, pleasure, and a thirst for action. Dark red: Longing, courage, willpower, vigour. Light red: Love, sexuality, joy, passion, sensitivity. Pink: A great symbol of love and beauty, pink also embodies the gentler qualities of red.

What color represents marriage? ›

The 'something blue' part of the wedding tradition stems from the belief that blue represented love, fidelity, and trust. Popular Wedding Colour Combinations: Navy + Cranberry, Pale Blue + Ivory, Light Blue + Yellow, Cerulean + Sage.

How do you define wedding colors? ›

How to Pick Wedding Colors
  1. Consider the season. ...
  2. Consider your wedding location. ...
  3. Let mood inspire you. ...
  4. Look to your favorites. ...
  5. Research wedding ideas. ...
  6. Start with flowers. ...
  7. Turn to a color wheel.
Dec 14, 2022

What is the most popular color wedding dress? ›

White is what many brides think of when they first imagine their wedding dress, but ivory has now become the most popular color for modern day brides.

What color do brides wear for second wedding? ›

What Colour Does a Bride Wear for Their Second Wedding? White, as established, is fine, but any other colour will work, too.

Can a bride wear any color? ›

Although white is the traditional choice for bridal fashion it is absolutely not a requirement. What are the most popular colors to wear as a bride other than white? Some of the most popular alternatives to white are champagne, blush, red, blue, and black—but you can wear any color you desire.

What colors are taboo at weddings? ›

Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue.

What color is for love and wedding? ›

Red is the color of passion, romance and love, making it very appropriate for a wedding. Red is directly across from blues and greens on the color wheel, meaning that they contrast well. However, the combination of red and pure green or blue is often a bit much for a wedding color palette.

How many colors should be in a wedding theme? ›

A color palette for your wedding should have a range of at least three to five colors. Too many colors reduce focus. Your guests will have a hard time concentrating as their attention is all over the place. However, if you incorporate more than five colors, go for neutrals and pastel shades to give a calming effect.

What color represents divorce? ›

Orange Represents

Divorce: The colour orange helps people move on, it is forward-thinking and outward thinking.

What is the luckiest color to get married in? ›

While you'll see different colors all around, yellow and red are considered the luckiest colors. Yellow signifies purity and red signifies fertility and prosperity. Those two colors are the most prominent at Indian weddings. Many Indian brides will wear these colors on their big day.

What symbolizes a happy marriage? ›

* It's good luck for the bride to see a dove on the way to the wedding because doves symbolize peace and prosperity. Because doves mate for life, this symbol is doubly beneficial on a couple's wedding day, as it can be a harbinger of a long, happy marriage and home.

How do I choose a wedding theme? ›

Your theme should reflect both your personalities and the union of both worlds. Most people think about what a wedding should be rather than think about what you and your spouse tastes are. Incorporate what means the world to you both, as quirky and unique as it may be.

How do you color coordinate a wedding? ›

How to Color-Coordinate Your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
  1. PICK A SUIT COLOR. ...
  2. Match Ties and Dresses. ...
  3. Incorporate Color-Family Ties. ...
  4. Use Color Palette Ties. ...
  5. If Not Exact-Match, Avoid Colors That Clash. ...
  6. Order Fabric Swatches. ...
  7. When in Doubt, Order a Free Home Try-On.
Sep 26, 2019

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