According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “timeless” means “not restricted to a particular time or date.”
But when a bride says she wants a timeless wedding dress, it’s about more than just envisioning a dress that will feel as relevant today as it is 20 years hence.
When a woman expresses the desire for a classic wedding gown, she’s looking for something that captures her personality, makes her feel beautiful, and that she feels will continue to look contemporary despite the passage of time.
In other words, it’s about personal aesthetic, which is very subjective! However, there are some common elements.
What Makes a Wedding Dress Classic?
Always-Chic Silhouettes
The A-line gown
Because it highlights the waist and develops an elongated impression, the A-line is almost universally flattering. Its fitted bodice opens at the natural waist into a skirt shape resembling an upper-case A (hence, the A-line wedding dress). The A-line is among the most popular, due in part to its changeability. Take Solaris, our tulle A-line wedding dress—a gown that has a distinctly romantic, unique aesthetic. Meanwhile, the same A-line silhouette is represented in a simple silk dupioni dress like Narisse.
The Ball Gown
Long associated with fairytale princesses, the ball gown wedding dress echoes the look of a blooming rose held upside down. Its tailored bodice and voluminous skirt are fabulous paired with a corseted bodice, as in our Basque waist dress, Margherita! What’s really great about a ball gown is its unexpected versatility. For instance, a lace-top dress like Eliza nods to tradition while being Kate Middleton elegant. But, take the same shape and craft it in an airy textile (as in Crystal, our tulle ball gown wedding dress), and you’ve got an entirely different vibe.
The Fit-And-Flare
A shape-following bodice opens typically around fingertip into a flared skirt. A fit-and-flare bridal gown is sometimes mistaken for a mermaid wedding dress, since the general shape is similar. However, the hem of a fit-and-flare is less pronounced, and the formation of the skirt is more gradual. It’s also known as a fluted or trumpet skirt, and it is extremely versatile—you can go modern and bridal with a fit-and-flare corded-lace wedding dress or a little retro and a lot slinky in one made of silk crepe.
The Mermaid
All about maximizing curves, the mermaid hugs the body to your knees (or even a little below). At that point, it opens into a dramatic, full skirt. One of our favorite combinations is a sweetheart mermaid wedding dress. You get all the va-va-va-voom with just the right amount of sweetness!
The Sheath/Column
Composed of clean lines, the sheath gown skims your shape and flows to the floor. Sometimes, the fabric is bias-cut, or cut on the diagonal, which emphasizes both fluidity and highlights curves. If you want to go extra classic, a lace sheath wedding dress may be exactly what you’re looking for!
Necklines That Stand the Test of Time
Sweetheart Neckline
Resembling the curves of a heart, the sweetheart does wonders for your décolletage, and is becoming on most women. It’s usually associated with strapless gowns, but can be found paired with spaghetti straps and with high-necked lace overlays, like our all-lace wedding dress, Carys.
V-Neckline
The diagonal lines created by the V-neckline draws the eye upward, thus making your neck look longer. It also does wonders for the decolletage, particularly with a plunging V-neck wedding dress like Brielle. Paired with an A-line skirt, like in Revel, a V-neck reads endlessly graceful.
Off-the-Shoulder Neckline
Polished and leaning regal, an off-the-shoulder bridal dress shows off your shoulders and collarbones. There are all sorts of options as far as design goes. You can finish an off-the-shoulder neckline with cap sleeves and long sleeves or go extra romantic, as Esperanza, our puffed sleeve wedding dress, illustrates.
Bateau/Boat Neckline
Also known as the ‘Sabrina’ after Audrey Hepburn’s iconic film, the boat extends to shoulder tips and opens at the collarbone. This neckline’s lines vary—for example, our boat-neck wedding gown, Devoted, has a more open aspect, which gives it a fresh feel.
Scoop Neckline
A graduated dip gives the scoop neckline its name, and it’s as enduring as a chignon, as evidenced by our scoop neck wedding dress, Elsie. The scoop also finds its way into other necklines, such as the scooped strapless, the scooped off-the-shoulder, and the scooped-with-spaghetti-straps.
Square Neckline
You may think the square neckline wedding gown a child of the ‘90s, but its roots stretch way back into the Regency Era. Characterized by a horizontal line at the decolletage framed by straps or sleeves at a 90-degree angle, its clean lines deserve an honorary mention as a modern classic.
Timeless Fabrics
The foundation of any refined wedding dress lies not just in its silhouette, but in the quality and choice of materials. Certain fabrics have earned their place in bridal fashion through decades of proven beauty and photographability.
A silk crepe wedding dress provides fluid movement and understated luxury, while a high-neck halter wedding dress of silk satin offers retro glamour. As you can see in Hannah, silk Mikado is excellent for crafting flawless, structured gowns. Last, but certainly not least, is lace. The rich, floral texture that it brings to a gown is unparalleled. Chantilly lace and French corded lace are especially beloved by brides the world over! And, when you blend both in one layered lace wedding dress, the result is magical.
Your Style
Ultimately, choosing a wedding dress isn’t about following a formula—it’s about finding the gown that feels authentically you. While design elements like beautiful proportions, quality fabrics, and ageless silhouettes provide the foundation, what makes a dress truly timeless is how it makes you feel when you wear it.
At Lea-Ann Belter, we believe timeless style begins with exceptional craftsmanship. Every gown is handcrafted in our Toronto atelier, cut by hand to your proportions, and thoughtfully customized to reflect your vision. Working with your stylist, you can blend elements from different designs, adjust details, and create a gown that’s unmistakably yours, all while maintaining the classic elegance that will look as stunning decades from now as it does today.
Visit our flagship Toronto bridal shop or find a retailer near you.
