Is The Corset Wedding Dress Neccessary For The Modern Bride?

Traditionally, the corset wedding dress was the hallmark of every haute couture bridal gown.  Its job was (and still is) to provide the support, shape and a framework on which the silhouette of the gown is supported on the wearer.  However, the uncomfortable image of women wearing corsets in the past – that were heavily boned, or perhaps an image of mother dearest struggling into her body shaper – is off putting for the modern bride who views the idea of being comfortable and unrestricted as a thing of the past.

Whilst Wedding Dress trends have embraced and made popular the corset structure in recent years, the humble wedding dress corset with it boning panels – once a internal part of the dress – is now a main feature in the design of the  modern wedding dresses with all the detailing on the outside of the gown

Our bride wearing an exclusively designed Off-the-Shoulder bridal gown with internal corsetry. See more of Tamsins Gown HERE.

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THE BENEFITS OF CHOOSING A CORSET WEDDING DRESS

Understandably, every bride wants to feel comfortable and unrestricted throughout the day but, an important fact to consider which is true of women in any age, is the fact that we do not have perfect bodies.  The images that we see in the media advertising bridal gowns are not representative of the real women who will wear the gowns.  And so while necklines are steadily getting lower and wedding dresses almost entirely see -through, the majority of women who purchase these gowns are facing a sizable wedding alterations bill to complete the work needed so that they in turn will look as perfect and as dreamy as the image which they first saw.

These are just a few of the additional benefits that a tailored corset wedding dress will provide.

• Lifting and shaping the bust
• Support for a heavy bust
• Providing shape & outline for the small bust
• Reducing the waistline
• Supporting the back muscles – help to straighten the spine and avoid wedding day slouch together with improving the overall silhouette of the wedding dress
• Provide the perfect neckline for the gown

HOW TO KNOW IF THE CORSET IS DOING ITS JOB CORRECTLY.

However, it is important to understand that just because the gown features a corset design doesnt necessarily mean that it is doing the same job as a well fitted bridal corset that is tailored to fit the wearer by supporting areas of the body that need it.

Fish tail and Mermaid designs are popular corset wedding dresses because of the ability to provide more shape and the adjustable lace up back.  The lack up back is a huge benefit, particularly if sizing is an issue; it also proves that you dont need a perfect body to look good in a corseted wedding dress.  In fact, many brides chose corseted wedding dresses  with great results to acheive a flattering silhouette.   The corset will not only reduce and reshape the body by up to two dress sizes, (in some cases) and the longer line creates the illusion of what is tyypically known as the hourglass or ‘snatched’ waistline by lengthening the torso and cinching the waist.

On the positive side, the use of softer modern materials with a stretch factor which can be liberating for the modern bride, and utilising materials such as sheer tulles, overlaid with embroidery and lace detract from the matronly looking heavy weight canvases that have been popular (and which are still used by many bridal couture brands).

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HOW TO KNOW WHEN TO CHOOSE A CORSET OR BODY SHAPER

A built-in or even seperately built bridal corset in neutral or skin toned shade, cancels out the need to find a bra or body shaper that will work 100% with the design of the dress.  The body shaper is perfect if you need a little help with smoothing and contouring excess skin but, the corset is far superior in its ability to reshape and redefine the body.  A bespoke corset designed in conjunction with a wedding dress is individually cut to support areas like back fat, heavy boobs, bulging tummies etc.  Even so far as providing curve and shape for athletic body types or women with small busts who just want to feel more femenine on their wedding day.   Although it seems that modern bridal fashion have altogether abandoned and ignored the ongoing need that women have in favour of the concept of sheer gowns that are popular with younger brides.  We are still seeing an increase in the number of brides of all ages who purchase these gowns and then come to us for advice and to find a solution so that the dress looks as good on them as it did in the magazine or online.

Janet’s search for a Wedding Dress Maker ended in a visit to our bridal studio in London where she fell in love with a elegantly simple wedding dress in the bridal collection.  The deceptively simple and effortless lines of the dress required some support on the inside, so Janet’s gown was customised to suit her body shape and taste in style.  See more of Janets Wedding Dress design HERE

Above | Our bride Tamsin’s gown is super sheer and delicate – the internal corset is worn seperately to rewear after the big day alongside her regular wardrobe.

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Above | A classical Silk gown designed with a seperate Vivienne West push up style corset – designed to be reworn on other occasions.

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About The Wedding Dress Maker

As a leading London Wedding Dress Designer & Maker, we proudly design and hand craft no more than 20 gowns each year for our clients from across the UK. Find more wedding dress inspiration from our past brides here at Cynthia Grafton-Holt Couture. We are so proud to have had the priviledge of knowing and working alongside all of them and sharing their magical moment with you too.

Cynthia Grafton-Holt Couture is a highly respected British Haute Couture wedding dress designer. Her bridal studio is located in Wembley North West London close to Alperton Picadilly line Station. The wedding gowns in the atelier are all handmade and crafted in London with Cynthia personally overseeing every aspect of the appointment  from concept to completion.

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