Fashion trends may come and go, but wedding dresses are almost always rooted in the past and tradition. Brides regularly turn to princess-like ball gowns with hoop skirts, elaborate lace veils, and long trains for their wedding day. After all, this is one of the only events in their life where it is socially acceptable to dress way more dramatically than anyone else on the guest list.
But one, more unexpected vintage silhouette that has become a favorite of bridal designers this past season? The corset, which appeared everywhere at New York Bridal Fashion Week in October. This waist-whittling style may have been abandoned from everyday attire in the Roaring Twenties, but it’s seen a resurgence in recent years across both haute couture and ready-to-wear collections as coquette and BDSM-inspired fashion have become major trends. With the ability to be sexy, nostalgic, romantic, and modern all at once, the corset is a versatile garment that can transform both the vibe of an outfit—as well as, of course, the body’s shape.
More recently, a desire for that snatched look has slowly translated into the bridal world. As designer Jackson Wiederhoeft puts it, “It truly takes a level of expertise, much like speaking a long-forgotten language.” Wiederhoeft notes that incorporating corsetry into his bridal designs is “a need or biological requirement,” especially given it’s already a signature of his ready-to-wear collections.
“I have the pleasure of seeing clients put on.