Hollywood Inspired Wedding Dresses

Jewelry and Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

When planning your style for your wedding day it’s helpful to get some creative inspiration from others to ensure you look amazing. One way to do this is to look at someone who you admire as having great style and then imagine how you might make one of their looks your very own. For many, that inspiration is often a favorite celebrity. When you see what others have done it makes it easier to build on those ideas to create your own signature look.

Viewing celebrity styles is a great place to start, but it’s equally important to tailor those ideas and designs to fit your budget, and more importantly, your body type. And if your favorite celebrity isn’t married, don’t worry. There are celebrity styles from many events that can give you great wedding gown inspirations, make you look great and work within most budgets. Here’s a look at some of the most popular style choices lately that should ensure you look like a star!

Chelsea Clinton / Ines Di Santo

American Princess

If you like the idea of being a princess bride you’ll be happy to know that this style is going strong. Chelsea Clinton’s dress was a great source of inspiration for brides who like this look. Her strapless Vera Wang gown had a generous silk organza ball-gown skirt and drew attention to her tiny waist with an embellished belt. Gowns like this are perfect for curvaceous women with smaller waists and generous hips. Bare shoulders, simple bodice and swirling skirt give a gown a regal feel. For accessories this look is best worn with larger pieces such as a statement necklace with large diamond stud earrings. If you want to forego the necklace make sure you choose large chandelier style drops with plenty of movement. For this look you’ll want to strike a balance in makeup between your eyes and lips giving them both equal drama. However, don’t overdo it. Lean toward the lighter side with neutral shades of eye shadow, slightly pronounced liner and a dusty pink or mauve lipstick that will work with most skin tones. Loose updos or half-up hair keep a regal feel.

Christina Hendricks / Anne Barge

Retro “Chick”

Between the New York Fashion Week shows and television series like Mad Men, the 50s and 60s are being given more consideration. We’ve started to see this retro chic look surface at some of the awards shows recently such as on Kyra Sedgwick in a retro inspired Monique Lhuillier and Christina Hendricks in Zac Posen. The simple skirt lines of this retro look are perfect for women with narrower hips and slimmer builds.

The 50s and 60s styles often covered a little more around the shoulder and upper arm for brides wishing to hide these areas. But if you’ve been working on your legs, show them off in a retro look. Many retro styles were cut at a tea length. Retro looks accessorize well with the jewelry classics — think pearls, diamonds, platinum and simple drops and line bracelets. Whether you’re leaning toward the 50s or the 60s you’ll want to use lighter colors of eye shadows and some deep liquid liner. However, if you’re leaning more toward the 50s, you’ll give more emphasis to the lips with brighter reds tones being most preferred. If you prefer the 60s go lighter on the lip shades but heavy on the eyeliner, drawing it out a little further on the sides. Dramatic structured updos are great with this look, as are vintage coif styles with soft waves.

Kim Kardashian / Romona Keveza

Grecian Goddess

Many celebrities today are showing up at events in Grecian inspired gowns. Who could forget the striking Kim Kardashian at this year’s Emmy Awards in her white Marchesa or the elegant Emily Blunt in Christian Dior. Grecian inspired gowns work well for most figure types. Design details such as one shoulder or halter styles show off beautiful shoulders while the voluminous flowing fabric can cover a multitude of sins if need be. If you’ve got a great waistline and you want to show it off, choose Grecian styles that are belted. If you’d like to create more of a waistline, choose empire style gowns featuring crisscross fabric details below the bust.

The simplicity of most Grecian gowns combined with large bare areas mean that jewelry is a must. Dramatic bracelet statements of stacked bangles are perfect with this look. Additionally, a larger earring usually works well. The Grecian look also looks most amazing with wavy updo hairstyles and alluring eye make up. Use darker shades of shadow on the lid only, drawing it slightly out and upward. Keep the lips very soft with light pink or nude tones.

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