A Guide To Modern Bridal Style

A modern wedding dress can mean many things – an embrace of a fashion-forward approach or a break of tradition.

Whether more traditional or modern in style, Phillipa designs her collections with an intrinsically timeless quality – ‘Your wedding dress is the most important dress you will ever wear so it should reflect you and not be governed by passing trends. We strike the perfect balance of creating a dress that will stand the test of time, while being contemporary and chic.’ 

Phillipa Lepley

Embrace clean lines and new silhouettes

Modern bridal style often celebrates clean lines, simplicity, and minimalism. A clean design can be incredibly sophisticated and timeless, allowing you to shine without any distractions. Opt for a sleek bias-cut gown, a structural watteau dress, or an elegant off-the-shoulder. Short hemlines or tea-length gowns are contemporary and more laid-back too.

Where sleek silhouettes and clean lines are the focal point of the dress, there is no room for error – each Phillipa Lepley couture gown is hand-cut and crafted for it’s wearer in the London Atelier to ensure an impeccable fit.

Play with texture and fabric 

Add depth and interest to your contemporary bridal look by incorporating different textures and fabrics. Choosing luxurious fabrics like crepe, satin or moiré along with textured details such as ruffles, pleats, or 3D appliqués can elevate your design and add a modern twist to classic silhouettes. The extraordinary skill of the Atelier team allows a fresh approach to these wonderfully decadent materials.

Explore non-traditional colours

While white remains a classic choice, modern brides are increasingly embracing non-traditional hues such as pink and soft pastels. Phillipa’s eye for sourcing luxuriously printed, woven or embroidered silks for the brand’s eveningwear collection opens up unlimited considerations – more modern in their approach, but underpinned with timeless cuts and unrivalled couture techniques. Adding a splash of colour with a silk sash, belt, or bespoke floral embroidery can also turn heads.

Chic separates 

Many Phillipa Lepley brides are opting for versatility within their bridal look, choosing multiple Button Back tops or Overlays to style with their dress and transform it from day to night – a contemporary approach to a dress that is traditionally worn once. Detachable overskirts can also be used to create a silhouette that feels appropriate for a ceremony, whilst giving the versatility of modern dancing dress. 

Sleeve style

Statement sleeves are a major trend in modern bridal fashion. From billowing tulle puff-sleeves to dainty lace cap sleeves, they can instantly transform a dress into a fashion-forward piece. Phillipa Lepley brides can opt for detachable sleeves, offering two bespoke looks in one.

All about the details 

The beauty of creating your modern wedding dress with Phillipa Lepley is just how bespoke it can be – during design appointments in the Shop, our expert couture consultants can blend favoured elements from the collection to build your own perfect ‘dress recipe’. Every design choice is intentional and refined to create your dream modern wedding dress.

‘Couture is all in the details. From moving the neckline by a millimetre to flatter, to adding an extra dart to define the silhouette, every decision is made to perfect your modern bridal style.’

Phillipa Lepley

Phillipa Lepley is recognised globally as a leading British wedding dress and eveningwear designer, renowned for bespoke couture dresses of the utmost luxury. Her wedding dress shop in London, Chelsea, has over 50 dresses, all of which have been made in England from start to finish at her Atelier.