Reclaiming traditions: you CAN love a taffeta wedding dress

Written by Catherine Clark

#Fashion Advice #Stuff we love #black wedding dress #blue dress #dress shopping #omg dresses #pink dress #wedding dress with sleeves

◆ At a Glance ◆

“I’m going through the traumatic process that is wedding dress shopping, and I’m really open-minded about what I’ll consider (you have to be when white isn’t in the plans). But I didn’t expect to fall in love with a taffeta dress online… Taffeta?!” If taffeta (or any other traditional fabric) sounds too traditional for you, think again. We’ve come a long way since our rebel “fuck taffeta” days. Let’s take a look…

Reclaiming traditions: you CAN love a taffeta wedding dress — Taffeta can be chic AF!
Champagne Gold Taffeta Gown from Jurgita Bridal

I’m going through the traumatic process that is wedding dress shopping, and I’m really open-minded about what I’ll consider (you have to be when white isn’t in the plans). But I didn’t expect to fall in love with a taffeta dress online… Taffeta?!

Searching taffeta even here brings up some pretty judge-y connotations, so I’m hoping you can help. Can we see a round-up of the most fabulous taffeta wedding dresses and break that stigma? – Jess
Thanks heaps!

Hi, Jess! Oh man, this is funny. The tagline of the first edition of Ariel’s book was, Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides. It was changed in the second book since times changed pretty quickly. I think a decade ago (like from 2007 — bygone eras!), taffeta was just so popular and traditional that it actually did feel pretty offbeat to stray from fabrics like that. The really popular ones. Now with the breadth of fabrics available, most of us probably couldn’t even find taffeta in a lineup if we had to. It’s like dupioni silk, chiffon, charmeuse, and satin. All just fabrics that are associated with tradition and now just look pretty.

Ultimately, we’ve progressed into a time in alternative weddings where we’re WAY less about rejecting traditions and more picking and choosing what resonates with us. And taffeta absolutely can. Offbeat weddings have come a long way since the rebel days and I love this relic from the past.

Taffeta was a bad word once upon a time (as most of those fabrics above were, too). But now? Who cares! Get the dress in the fabric that, as Marie Kondo would say, sparks JOY. I was so excited to start online shopping when I read your email, and here were the results.

Thanks for reaching out, Jess… enjoy your potentially-taffeta dress and share it with us when you get it!

taffeta wedding gown — EKDERA / wedding dress with long sleeves from VICTORIA SPIRINA

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