"The newest silhouette from almost every designer is a very elongated drop torso," said Nancy Aucone, co-founder of The Wedding Salon of Manhasset, near Long Island, N.Y. Drop-waist styles are fitted down to the hips and sometimes even lower, making the torso appear longer, which can make the bride look thinner.
Designers offer drop waist gowns in a variety of fabrics, which can help suit all heights and sizes.
Though the style is popular in bridal magazines and on runways, a bride should take heed before setting her heart on this trend. "They're tough to wear," said Julie Sabatino of the New York City-based The Stylish Bride.
"If you're petite, wearing a drop waist makes you look like your legs are shorter. If it's a drop waist that's not too low, it might be OK. But the ones that drop below the buttocks, they're really hard to wear; they don't hide anything."
Christina Hurvis, who designs custommade gowns for her clients at Couture SF in San Francisco, also has reservations about recommending the style.
"I hardly ever do drop waist, because for me, what's important is making the legs look long, and once you bring the waist down, the proportion is totally different," Hurvis said.
Still, with sought-after designers such as Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier and Reem Acra championing this style, Hurvis admits it is quite traditional, and that she has seen it at quite a few weddings she's attended to.
"It's not necessarily just for tall girls. If the proportion of the torso is done correctly, anybody can wear it," Aucone said. Bring On The Ball Gowns Drop-waist styles lend themselves to having a fuller skirt, which is another trend in bridalwear this season.
"The second popular dress line is the 'full line,' often worn by young brides for a romantic, dream-like ceremony," said Japanese designer Yumi Katsura, whose avant-garde gowns from Asia and Europe inspire U.S.-based designers.
Aucone describes this romantic, fuller skirt-style as "frou-frou." Skirts done all in tulle or made entirely of ribbons fit this style. Sabatino said balloon hems, where the dress goes under the hemline and balloons out instead of being cut straight across, also fits this category.
"They're really quite elegant," Aucone said. "They have a fullness to them when they march."
