There are very few times in one’s life when it is socially acceptable to wear a ballgown so large you may question if you can even fit through a doorway. In fact, if you’re not regularly on the Met Gala invite list, your wedding could be your only chance.
Not every bride wants to wear a dramatic wedding dress with a long train to walk down the aisle, of course, but we are seeing more and more to-be-weds electing to wear this traditional silhouette. And after attending New York Bridal Fashion Week to preview the fall 2027 collections, it’s clear that designers are also going all in on the trend, too.
Clean, conservative, and accented with tulle, silk bows, and lace appliqués, these gowns feel like a surprising pivot in bridal fashion, which has grown more avant-garde in recent years with the rise of the anti-bride. Some point to a sense of nostalgia among younger generations getting married. “The backyard wedding, tiered wedding cakes with vintage toppers, cigarettes at the after-party… It’s all very ’90s, and the return of the ballgown makes a ton of sense in that world,” says wedding planner Tory Smith.
Perhaps the ballgown wedding dress is a reflection of the current state of the world. Historically, hemlines get longer and silhouettes turn more traditional during times of economic recession and instability. Could the rise of religion among younger generations also be prompting the rise of more conservative styles?
Then, there are the brides who already dress boldly in their daily life (or on social media) and want their wedding to feel like a real standout moment. “Especially for those who are fashion chameleons on the daily, sometimes there’s a desire to strip everything back and be super timeless as a bride,” notes bridal stylist Carrie Goldberg.
Photo: Courtesy of Ines Di Santo
