Trend Alert: Long-Sleeved Bridal Gowns
Long sleeves are an elegant, stylish choice for your wedding dress. Should you try them?
Long-sleeved wedding dresses are having a moment. Maybe it’s the long, graceful lines they add to a silhouette, or perhaps it’s the parade of gorgeous long-sleeved Royal wedding gowns, but either way, many brides are choosing this style for their big day.
That said, while many brides are eager to hop on the trend, new styles sometimes come with some unexpected caveats—like how a tight, fishtail gown may be hard to dance in, or how a cathedral-length veil may not be appropriate for the beach.
For long-sleeved wedding dresses, brides should bear two things in mind. First, even lace sleeves can be too warm in the summer. Think about wearing pantyhose: even the sheerest styles still put a barrier between your skin and a cooling summer breeze. Lace sleeves are the same.
Second, long-sleeves are often more constricting on bridal styles than what most brides are used to from casual wear. This is because the sleeves tend to be fitted more closely, as well as being made from material that has less stretch to it. So, if you planned to do a lot of dancing, or if you had a special photoshoot planned that might require more freedom of movement for your arms, you will want to be careful about what sleeve style you choose.
However, if neither of those considerations are a concern for you, then the long-sleeved style may be perfect for your wedding. So, whether you’re in love with the illusion lace of Kate Middleton’s gown or the clean, couture simplicity of Meghan Markle’s, we carry a variety of gowns with long sleeves in our store. Here are just a few you can try on at our bridal boutique in Brighton, MI.
Lacy A-lines
The Felice gown will have you looking and feeling like a princess all day. The lace sleeves are mostly sheer but with perfectly placed appliqué details along the upper arm and cuffs. The A-line skirt gives the dress a graceful flare without the full drama of a ball gown.
With a similar lacy A-line style, the Audrina dress matches full lace sleeves with bare shoulders for an elegant look that is the epitome of romance. The all-over lace on this gown adds to the appeal without complicating the silhouette.
On the other hand, if you want a more structured look, Maxine combines sheer sleeves and lace details with a plain skirt that is dramatic in its simplicity. Meanwhile, the deep V neckline and plunging back keep this style from being two demure.
Chic, Boat Neck Fit-and-Flares
There’s something chic and elegant about a boat neck that is hard to match with other styles. Case in point: Melina. Apart from a long train and fabric-covered buttons down the back, there’s not much embellishment to this dress. That said, Melina doesn’t need it. This dress makes a statement with minimalism, and the effect speaks loud and clear.
From the front, Jolie looks much the same, with clean lines and a stunning silhouette. But the illusion back features a gorgeous appliqué for brides who want a touch more bling on their wedding gown. Want a similar, minimalist style but with all-over lace? Dominique is an enchanting blend of the two that will leave your partner speechless.
Finally, if you can’t make up your mind between the beauty of a boat neck and the romance of a sweetheart neckline, Marlee is the best of both worlds. The dress is a beautiful fit and flare silhouette with a sweetheart neckline, but with a lace overly featuring the boat neck style.
Graceful flowing A-lines.
Long lacy sleeves, a sweetheart neckline with just a hint of a plunge, and a flowing chiffon skirt, Arwyn is one of our most romantic gowns. For a gown in a similar style, we love how the James gown shines in winter scenery. It features a V neckline in front and back, along with sleeves with a denser lace for a look with more coverage.
For a more bohemian look, Jelena combines long lace sleeves with an illusion back and plunging neckline. Its carefree style is perfect for a beach wedding, where the sleeves might be the perfect balance between the summertime heat and a cool breeze coming off the water.
Figure-hugging, illusion-back dresses.
Finally, there are some gowns that manage to blend the modesty of a long-sleeved gown with the allure of an open back. First on our list is Delphina, a gown whose design elements include not only an illusion back and side cutouts, but detachable full-length sleeves.
Meanwhile, the Danika dress saves some of the drama for the godet train. Combined, the neckline and back are the perfect blend of sweet and sexy. Want something even more jaw-dropping? Haven is an absolutely scintillating dress that hugs every curve and isn’t shy about it at all.
Finally, Emilee skips the illusion and goes straight for the plunging back. We also love the stunning lace detail in the train—a design element that won’t be overlooked as you’re walking down the aisle.
Long-sleeved bridal gowns are a trend we expect to stick around.
We love a long-sleeved wedding gown. If any of these styles capture your imagination as a possible dream dress, schedule an appointment with us today. We’d be delighted to help you try on any of our styles, and we can even help you with ideas to accessorize the dress from ceremony to reception. And don’t forget to ask about any discontinued styles we may have in our store. You may just be able to find the long-sleeved wedding gown of your dreams at a bargain price.