Princess Week: A Reflection on The Royal Wedding Dress

Wow! What an AMAZING wedding!  The nuptials of William and Kate were beautiful and romantic.  It was all just the way you'd expect a royal wedding to be. 

And finally - FINALLY - after months of secrecy, Kate's dress maker was revealed as Sarah Burton from the design house of Alexander McQueen.  There has been much speculation over why she actually chose Alexander McQueen as her designer.  Of course, there's the official blurb, but my personal guess is that Kate is much like many of us: she appreciates fashion.  It is well known that the late Alexander McQueen was famous for his over the top style.  But he also had a way of creating pieces that were objects of art.  Sarah Burton, who took over for McQueen after his death, understands that concept and indeed, with the help of Kate, created a masterpiece.

Undoubtedly Kate Middleton's dress will be the one that brides will aspire to for many seasons to come.  I don't doubt that the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 dress collections will feature gowns much like Kate's.  Kate may have just heralded in a new era of *gasp* SLEEVES!

What I have always loved about Kate's style is that it is classic with a twist.  Once she was engaged, you never saw Kate wearing something inappropriate (as some other royals have been known to do) - but she never looked stuffy or dowdy either.  She always looked appropriate for her youthful age and her important position.

Her wedding gown was no exception.  For such an incredible event, I'm sure she and Ms. Burton knew that this dress would have to be a pièce de résistance.  Not only would it be making a statement about the house of Alexander McQueen, it would be making a statement about The Royal Family, and, indeed, about Kate herself.  We all knew that modesty in the design of the dress would be a given.  She was having a royal wedding at Westminster Abbey after all; you'd never see a royal bride without sleeves.  But I love how Kate pushed the rules about as far as she could push them.  Although her arms were fully covered in fabric, the sheerness of the lace still left them romantically bare.  And that plunging neckline!  She couldn't have gone any lower - but it never seemed out of place or out of line.  The cut of the neckline didn't leave her exposed and the high collar kept the whole thing looking very regal.

Most brides who have worn a corseted style gown will tell you just how much it flattered them on their wedding day.  Kate was no exception.  The Victorian corsetry, a hallmark of McQueen style, kept her looking svelte and sexy - something much needed when you're dealing with such a full skirted gown. 

Rather than the circle, ball gown style skirt we're used to seeing on princesses, Kate's gown was more of a wide A-line with pleating that gave the satin skirt movement.  With every step, her dress swirled about her.  It's that kind of movement that many brides are looking for in their gowns.  They want to swirl about in their masterpiece of a dress, showing the world how much they are in love.  And there was no doubt: love was written all over Kate's face.

And then there were the details...details that only the bride would appreciate - like lace shaped to look like royal family symbols...earrings to mimic her family's crest...the Cartier tiara that was her "something borrowed" from her mother in law, The Queen...they all played together to make her fashion statement.  And yet, never forgetting that she was first Kate, wife and royal second, she kept it authentic by doing her own makeup - and she looked amazing.

All my best wishes go out to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  I hope they enjoy many, many years of wedded bliss.

Best Wedding Wishes,
2sday
Bridal Fashion Consultant

Suzanne's Bridal Boutique
480.926.9106
www.suzannesbridalboutique.com
www.facebook.com/suzannesbridalboutique