Wrap dresses are no longer getting a bad wedding, er, rap. They’re all over the runways, and now, all over brides’ wish lists. For the inside scoop on wrap dresses, we spoke with New York Designer Mark Ingram, for great apparel insights.
“Wrap dresses fit every type,” says Ingram. “They’re great for women with a full figure or a slight frame.” Ingram says the way in which you wrap the dress can either give your bust line a boost or minimalize it. “They give you the illusion of more or less.” The plunging neckline can be cinched tight or loose, depending on what needs to be emphasized.
But the advantages don’t stop there. Gathered fabric on wrap dresses also creates the illusion of a smaller waistline. “The horizontal lines go down, and your waist goes down too,” says Ingram. He points out that, ideally, the best fabric is chiffon or charmeuse, something lightweight that has a lot of give. Fabrics like satin are fine, but they don’t hide your flaws nearly as well.
As an example, Ingram points to Oprah Winfrey, who frequently wears wrap dresses to functions. “She’s full-busted and full-figured and the wrap dresses she wears make her waistline look tiny.”
Wrap dresses aren’t nearly as formal as classic wedding dresses, and are great attire for beach weddings, backyard affairs, and destination weddings. “It’s not a traditional look,” says Ingram. “Lots of people are having more casual weddings these days, which is part of the reason wrap dresses are popular.” The bride should be allowed to wear anything she wants on her wedding day, but if you go the wrap route, you may want to re-think the formal, church affair.
The cost for a wrap can be low or high, depending on the type of fabric and whether there is ornamentation or embroidery, or if you go for a high-end material like satin. How much you pay really depends on your budget and the formality of the affair, as there are so many styles to choose from.
We think that just about wraps it up!
-David Toussaint
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