Melbourne Wedding Dresses – A tail to remember
Being effortlessly versatile, the mermaid-style gown is a timelessly elegant wedding silhouette, so it’s no wonder the figure-hugging gowns never truly go out of fashion.
Whether designed for a traditional bride or a modern ceremony, they’re adaptable and flattering, ensuring any bride that wears them is glowing with confidence on their big day.
Here, Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Jacqueline Foy sits down with Mary Eskander, owner of The Evening Boutique, to discuss the ins and outs of this universally flattering style.
Eskander has been working in the wedding industry for more than ten years, with her journey starting with retailing designer evening wear – a venture that continues to thrive today. However, heeding a consistent demand from her clientele for bridal and bridesmaid dresses, she was inspired to extend her reach into the wedding industry and partner with esteemed designers for bridal gowns. Witnessing the increasing admiration for her distinctive wedding dress creations and personalised bridesmaid dresses has further inspired Eskander and led to the organic expansion of her customer base. “When a bride tries on a gown and her face lights up with a smile, you know you’ve found something special,” Eskander says, musing that the moment of realisation and excitement can be incredibly rewarding for both the bride and the stylist. Follow along as we discuss the timeless mermaid silhouette, and hopefully bring you closer to your own ‘yes’.
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Aptly named, the mermaid silhouette resembles the graceful shape of a mermaid’s tail and is a style that has been around for decades, showing no signs of going out of fashion. With its timeless elegance and classic appeal, the mermaid dress is a beautiful and elegant design that can be flattering on many different body types, thus, it is perfect for brides who want to enhance their figure and accentuate the curves of their body. With fabric elegantly hugging the hips and flaring out from the knees, a mermaid silhouette lends you a perfect hourglass shape, flattering curves and emphasising feminine beauty. “This silhouette offers several qualities that can enhance a bride’s overall look and create a captivating and elegant appearance,” Eskander says, explaining that brides who choose this silhouette can exude poise and self-assuredness as they confidently walk down the aisle.
“The mermaid silhouette has earned its status as a timeless and classic bridal look due to a combination of design elements,” Eskander says. “While the core shape remains consistent, the mermaid silhouette can be adapted to suit various wedding themes, from traditional to modern, vintage to contemporary,” she goes on. The timeless adaptability ensures the silhouette’s relevance across different eras and styles, and the dramatic flair of the skirt can create stunning visuals in both candid and posed photographs, ensuring beautiful memories are captured on the wedding day.
FLATTERING THE FIGURE
A mermaid silhouette can emphasise your features like nothing else can. If you love your body and natural shape and want to accentuate all of your curves, a mermaid dress is the perfect choice. “The mermaid silhouette accentuates a bride’s natural curves, particularly the waist, hips and bust; this emphasis on feminine contours allows brides to celebrate and embrace their bodies, feeling confident and beautiful on their special day,” Eskander says.
A mermaid gown can be flattering for brides of every shape or body type, so long as you find the fit to perfectly flatter you. Though amazing for those with a natural hourglass figure, they can also create the illusion of curves for brides with straighter body types by flattering your hips and narrowing your waist.
The flared tail of the skirt adds a sense of drama to your figure, further emphasising your curves. “The mermaid silhouette exudes a sense of timeless elegance that transcends trends and eras,” Eskander says, “[their] graceful lines and fitted bodice create a refined and sophisticated aesthetic that holds a lasting appeal.”
THE WHOLE PICTURE
“A mermaid-style gown exudes elegance, drama, and a touch of romance, making it a versatile choice that can work well with various wedding themes and venues,” Eskander says. The mermaid silhouette naturally aligns with a classic and timeless wedding theme, but it is so versatile that it can be worn to a beach wedding or a glamourous wedding; it suits a variety of different themes.
In terms of what to pair with your mermaid-style dress to bring your whole outfit and bridal party together on the day, Eskander suggests A-line bridesmaid dresses. They too feature a universally flattering silhouette that complements the mermaid gown’s fitted bodice and flaring skirt. “The A-line shape provides balance and cohesion while allowing bridesmaids to have their [own] unique, comfortable look,” Eskander says. She also suggests complementing your wedding gown with a pair of statement earrings and a dramatic veil to add a touch of glamour without overwhelming the dress’s intricate design. “Consider chandelier earrings, teardrop studs or dramatic hoops that frame the face,” she says. A cathedral-length or fingertip veil can create a stunning contrast with the mermaid silhouette, adding an element of softness and romance to the overall look.
WE COME BACK EVERY TIME
“The choice of a mermaid silhouette for a bridal look brings together elements of elegance, romance, confidence and uniqueness, making it a captivating and unforgettable option for brides who want to make a statement on their wedding day,” Eskander says. With endless possibilities of adding your own creative flair, mermaid-style gowns can easily be adapted into any trend. If you are a lover of drama, romance and elegance, you’ll look and feel unforgettable on your wedding day. With its beauty, adaptability and natural charm, the mermaid silhouette wedding dress will never go out of style.
“Understanding your body type and what silhouettes flatter you is key; try on various styles to see what you feel most comfortable and confident in,” Eskander says. And most of all, she advises that you: “enjoy this exciting time and take in all these special moments that will fly by.”
Image courtesy of The Evening Boutique