What is a Classic Wedding Dress?

Kelsey Lessick • October 9, 2023
A person in a floor-length white A-line wedding dress with a V-neckline, standing outdoors in front of a stone fountain.

What makes a wedding dress classic?

What allows a wedding dress to stand the test of time and not to look outdated no matter how many years go by? Is it the style, cut, fabric, or a combination of all those things? Keep reading as we break it down for you and share with you some of our favorite classic wedding gowns.

Fashion versus Style

In the wise words of Yves Saint Laurent, “fashions fades, style is eternal”. For the bride who is looking for a classic or timeless wedding dress these are words to live by. True style is timeless and is not limited to a particular period in history. It is simply chic, always. A classic wedding dress is one that combines a timeless silhouette with beautifully understated details or embellishments. This dress will be the perfect balance of traditional meets current styles. Combining these elements ensures that the final outcome is elegant, refined and unforgettable. A classic dress does not have to mean boring!

Elements to consider when choosing a classic gown

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a classic wedding gown:
 Stick to clean lines and flattering silhouettes
 Think timeless, sophisticated, and refined
 Avoid over-the-top embellishments such as glitter and sparkle
 Keep your accessories simple and refined as well
And the most important thing to remember: “LESS IS MORE”.

Here are some of our favorite “classic” wedding dresses and why we think they will stand the test of time.

A bride in an off-the-shoulder white dress and veil poses in a park with autumn foliage in the background.

Cooper by Jenny Yoo

It doesn’t have to be a ballgown to be a classic wedding dress. The Cooper dress by Jenny Yoo exudes timelessness with its clean lines and smooth crepe fabric. This chic style provides so many ways to add fun touches that can showcase your personality, all while keeping it timeless.

A person in a white wedding gown holding a bouquet walks down a church aisle on the arm of a person in a tuxedo.

Jory by Pronovias

This is a classic, silk Mikado ballgown that can be worn with out without the lace jacket. Either way this dress will never look dated. Its unique lines and fashionable pleats give it some updated style.

A person in a white wedding dress holds a colorful bouquet, posing on a wooden dock by a calm lake.

Mikaella Style 2215

This style has been a best seller for us and it is easy to see why it is considered a “classic”. The high neck and low back on this dress along with its figure flattering shape make this a winning combination. I bet you can’t guess which bride is from 2019 and which one is from 2023? Timeless is timeless.

Photo credits:
Cooper dress from Quirk hotel photo shoot: Jen Fariello   Jory dress, Jennifer with sleeves:  David Abel Photography
Anna in Jory dress: Audra Jones Photography

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