The Short Story

Sure, long gowns are still the queen of the wedding aisle, but these days, more and more designers are also opting to include short and sweet, sexy or vintage-inspired dresses in their collections. Among the many innovative short looks at the fall 2013 bridal shows, Theia walked a sparkly cocktail dress with a dramatic, kimono-style over-shirt down the runway, St. Pucchi and Jenny Lee were inspired by flowers, Pronovias played with high necklines and swingy skirts, Marchesa featured layers and ruffles, and Reem Acra had a lace peplum and flapper-style feathers. Feeling a little nontraditional yourself? Here’s what you should know about this fashion-forward, less-fabric-is-more trend. When to Wear One “Short wedding dresses are always appropriate!” says Cassandra Quinn, manager of the NYC outpost of the Lovely Bride Shop. However, they do typically feel less formal, she notes, so unless you’re well-known for your unconventional personality and style, you’ll definitely want to consider your event’s venue and vibe. According to Keri Blair, a personal stylist and owner of Denver-based Keri Blair Image Experts, going short isn’t the best fit for traditional, black-tie or church weddings. But it might be a playful addition to an urban/modern fête, a daytime party, or a more casual affair at the beach, on a farm, or at home. If you want to make your short frock a touch more formal, Quinn suggests pairing it with a long veil, and for cool season soirées, she loves short dresses with tights - try bright colors like fuchsia or turquoise, or go with sophisticated and universally flattering black. Get the Best of Both Worlds If you’ve fallen in love with a particular little white dress, but can’t quite imagine saying your I do’s in it, Quinn recommends wearing a long gown for the ceremony and then changing into the short option for your entrance at the reception, before the cake-cutting, or when you’re ready to hit the dance floor. Blair is a fan of dresses that play with proportion e.g. shorter in front and long (even trailing) in the back. And Watters, Anne Barge, Lazaro and more are crafting two-in-one beauties - chic, short sheaths with long, flowing tulle or silk organza detachable overskirts. “You can also mix in short white dresses for your other bridal events, like showers and bachelorette parties,” Quinn says. Who Should Do It Any woman can wear a short dress, Quinn says, but just as with longer gowns, certain silhouettes will work better on your specific body type than others. “Have great gams that you want to show off? Go mini! Or for a more demure look you can try tea-length,” says Quinn, who loves short designs by Elizabeth Dye, Ivy & Aster, Theia and Encore. A-lines and (if not large-busted) empire waists are great for apple-shapes, cupcake dresses are good for hourglass and pear-shapes, and sashes or skirts that flare at the bottom can create a waist on athletic types. Petite in both height and stature? Blair suggests amping up your short frock’s impact with a train.