Necklines Rising
Collared gowns are a new look bringing high style to wedding fashion
Image courtesy Carolina Herrera
Necklines abound in wedding dresses, from strapless to off-the-shoulder to sweetheart. Now another neckline may entice brides – the collared look. Whether seen on the cover of the August issue of Brides magazine with a Jim Hjelm ruffled halter style, the runways or on the red carpet, the style is an option for brides who don’t want to bare it all.
“There’s been a return to Grace Kelly with high necks and cap sleeves,” says Yolanda Cellucci, owner of Yolanda’s Enterprises, a bridal boutique in Waltham, Mass. “Halters with collars, ruffles around the neck – they’re all very strong in ready-to-wear and very pretty for brides.”
For its 2011 collection, Tustin, Calif.-based Enzoani recently showcased a handful of collared styles at its runway show in Los Angeles, offering dresses with lacy high collars and cap sleeves and sheer paneling above the chest. Enzoani also debuted the European line, Modeca, in North America for the 2011 season, offering a few collared looks.
“Collars are important in Europe and we’re trying to push them here,” says Yuchiang “James” Hu, Modeca’s designer. “They can be quite flattering, making faces look smaller and necks longer.”
Collar lengths can vary, either resting at the neck or extending up to below the jaw. The look conveys elegance and a sense of formality and dignity, but it’s also a neckline that pairs up well with short and long sleeves, a style that can suit most themes and times.
The key is to find a look that’s also comfortable for a wedding. Sleeves and collars can constrict when the bride’s ready to kick up her stiletto heels at the ceremony. To address the situation, some designers are creating removable jackets or coverings, such as Carolina Herrera’s ivory Chantilly lace gown with a removable Chantilly lace blouson.
“It’s a style that looks pretty in a picture, but, sometimes if you want to lift your arms, you can’t,” Cellucci says. “The dress can tighten on you. There’s a reason strapless is popular. It’s about ease.”
Interest in the collared look appears to be regional. On the West Coast, brides seem to appreciate less material in their dresses.
“We’re a skin society,” says Michele Martin, owner of M Bride in La Jolla, Calif. “Our clients don’t want to get too covered up.”
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