Wedding dress trends for 2022: not-traditional gowns, re-wearable looks, hand-painted veils and voluminous ruffles are in as brides go big, bold and personal post-pandemic

Dec 28 , 2021

The pandemic has influenced bridal fashion, as brides opt for bolder, more versatile looks. Photo: handout

The Loft, one of only six boutiques in the world to stock Vivienne Westwood gowns, is seeing more brides who would have rented dresses if it weren’t for the pandemic

As larger ceremonies slowly make a comeback, brides are now looking for more versatile designs like bodysuits and skirts that can be restyled and worn again

The coronavirus pandemic may have put countless weddings on hold, but with relaxed restrictions now, the wedding industry is starting to return to full force. While early 2021 saw smaller, more intimate gatherings, larger celebrations are now increasingly becoming a reality.

But aside from impacting the size of weddings, the pandemic has also changed the course of wedding dress trends – after all, brides have not stopped looking for the perfect dress in which to walk down the aisle.

A model wearing a Vivienne Westwood wedding dress at Hong Kong-based bridal boutique The Loft. Photo: handout

Given the changing restrictions, couples have learned to adopt a creative and agile mindset during the wedding planning process, says Jacqueline Au, founder of bridal boutique The Loft.

“Brides are investing in looks that can be considered for different events, [from] small celebrations at home to bigger ones that are down the line, and eventually looking for something that could turn into something they could really wear again,” she says.

As a result, Au has seen versatile styles rise in popularity as brides are appreciating the use of add-on tops and sleeves to dress up or dress down their looks. Bridal designer Vivian Luk has also seen a similar pattern with her clients; the former Vera Wang protégé has designed a number of separates for her clients’ big days, among them being bodysuits and skirts that can be restyled and worn again in the future.

“I get a sense that people like that variety as well,” Luk says. “I think [brides] want to show people that they’re versatile, and with some of the pieces that are more casual, it sort of shows people that [they’re] relaxed and confident to not always be so done up.”

It is true that smaller celebrations have led brides to opt for slightly more pared-down looks that are still able to impress. “I feel like people are also respectful as well, in terms of not going over the top,” Luk says.

A Vivian Luk-designed wedding dress. Photo: handout

“They just want something quite simple, but still sort of tell people who they are. They want to find something different, [but] I think they still want to dress up.