The Perfect Shade of White: Finding the Best Wedding Dress
Choosing the perfect wedding dress is exciting, but it could also be very daunting for the bride-to-be. There are many factors to consider in choosing the right dress, including body type and style preference. However, many brides fail to consider their skin tone in choosing a wedding dress. White has been the go-to wedding dress since Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. What many brides don’t realize is that a white wedding gown is not just simply “white.” There are in fact many shades of white to choose from because there are a variety of shades that qualify as “wedding white.” There are certain shades of white that go best with certain skin tones.
To find the perfect shade of white for a wedding dress, here are some guidelines to consider:
Stark White
This is the whitest white that looks absolutely gorgeous against dark skin tones. Fair-skinned brides should avoid this colour because it will wash them out. This kind of white is super bright with almost a blue undertone. A common colour option for wedding gowns, stark white gowns are usually made from synthetic fabrics such as satins and taffetas.
Natural White
This shade of white is sometimes called “diamond white” or “silk white”. Just like Stark White, It is also a crisp white shade, but its difference is it’s less bright and intense. Natural White is usually found in fibres that are not synthetic such as silk or chiffon. This shade is flattering to many skin tones, but particularly for brides with yellow undertones.
Ivory
Ivory is the most popular wedding gown shade because it is widely available and is usually the most flattering hue. Ivory usually has a warm undertone. The colour range of Ivory is from crème to off-white. Brides with fair skin tones and pink undertones look best in yellow-ivory. However, yellow-ivory can clash with olive skin tones. A creamier ivory shade goes well with medium skin. This shade can be found in almost nearly every fabric – from lace to chiffon, to silk, and tulle. The colour also looks great in almost every cut – from A-line to ball gown.
Champagne
Champagne is a great hue for brides with darker complexions or those with yellow or olive undertones. This shade can have pink, gold or chocolate undertones depending on the fabric. Champagne can also be mixed with other shades of white. For instance, an ivory lace dress over a champagne underlay looks very romantic and sophisticated.
Light Gold
Light Gold looks similar to Champagne, but the only difference is that is has a deeper gold shade. The Light Gold hue is usually achieved with gold embroidery or beading. Oftentimes Light Gold is mixed with other hues such as Ivory. Best of all, this hue is dazzling against all skin tones.
Ecru
Ecru is a deep shade of ivory and usually borders on tan or beige. This is the colour of unbleached or raw linen. Ecru is a soothing neutral, so it can be paired with many other colours. It looks stunning with gold, mint, lilac, coral, blush, or mint.
Alabaster
Alabaster flatters every skin type. It has a creamy tone and a light ivory hue that looks like it is glowing.
Aside from skin tone, deciding on a shade of white also depends on the environment and time of day the ceremony will be held. If the ceremony is at daytime, consider how daylight will affect the colour. If it will be held in the evening, think about how the gown will look against low lighting or candlelight. Once a bride knows the right shade of white that will flatter her complexion, all she needs to do now is to pick out a style that suits body shape.
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