Junior Rasmussen
The 1980s were a decade of bold fashion choices, with the mantra bigger is better extending to wedding dresses. The wedding of Princess Diana in 1981 set the tone for the decade, with her iconic puffy-sleeved, lace gown and 25-foot train. The 80s saw a variety of wedding dress styles, from simple white dresses to over-the-top gowns with big sleeves, lace bodices, high necklines, and statement shoulders. Power dressing, popularised by the TV series Dynasty, influenced bridal couture, with padded shoulders and bold accessories. Some brides, like Emma Thompson, opted for colourful looks instead of traditional white gowns. This period also saw the influence of pop stars on global fashion, with Madonna's style in Desperately Seeking Susan impacting many women's wardrobes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeves | Big to elbow-length puffed sleeves |
| Necklines | High, stand collar, low, sweetheart |
| Lace | Used for decoration on the upper bodice, cuffs, and bibs |
| Hair | Big, with curls, tight perms, and feathery bangs |
| Accessories | Big bows, long veils, scarves |
| Gown Length | Full-length, above-the-knee |
| Gown Style | Simple, over-the-top, non-traditional colours |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Diana's iconic wedding dress
Princess Diana's wedding dress is arguably the most iconic gown worn by a royal bride. The dress was designed by the former husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel and was made of ivory silk taffeta. The gown was valued at an estimated $115,000 and was intricately embroidered with sequins, frilled lace, and 10,000 pearls. The dress featured a romantic-style full skirt, large gigot or puffed sleeves with lace flounces, and a ruffled neckline. The ivory silk tulle veil featured mother-of-pearl sequins and was held in place by a diamond tiara owned by the Spencer family. The dress also had an awe-inspiring 25-foot train, which was so long that it couldn't be unraveled until the final fitting at Buckingham Palace.
The dress was a closely guarded secret and was not revealed until the royal ceremony. It was so voluminous that Princess Diana had to be stuffed into her carriage on the way to the cathedral. The dress was so influential that it sparked multiple copycat dresses, and its silhouette defined the newest fashionable silhouette. Replicas of the dress were quickly manufactured and sold for as low as $467. Sewing pattern brands like McCalls and Burda also issued replica patterns.
The designers of the dress also created a second, backup wedding gown in case their original creation was leaked to the press. This second dress had a different design, without the enormous gigot sleeves, and featured a V-neck with ruffled trim, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a ball gown skirt.
Princess Diana's wedding dress was not the only influential bridal look of the late 1980s. While some brides of the era embraced puffy sleeves, big hair, and large skirts, others opted for simpler styles. For example, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was inspired by Princess Di's dress but put her own spin on it, and Bonnie C. Likely designed and made her own wedding gown, hoping to look different from the other brides of the era.
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Puffed sleeves
The 1980s were known for their puffy sleeves, lots of lace, and big hair when it came to wedding dresses. Princess Diana's wedding dress in 1981 featured puffy sleeves with two layers of lace that came off the cuff, and this inspired many brides in the 1980s. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who married Brad Hall in 1987, was one of them. She said, "I got married in 1987 and my wedding dress was very lady-Di inspired. [...] It had [...] poofy sleeves with two layers of lace that came off the cuff."
The key to styling a puff-sleeve gown is thoughtful simplicity. The sleeves should be the focal point, so it is best to choose minimal jewellery, such as delicate studs, a thin bracelet, or a single heirloom ring. If the gown has embellishments like lace or embroidery, these details can be subtly echoed in the accessories for a cohesive look.
When it comes to veils, sheer and lightweight styles that won't compete with the volume of the sleeves are recommended. A fingertip or chapel-length veil made from soft tulle can add an ethereal touch without overwhelming the silhouette. For an even more fairy-tale-like look, one could skip the veil and instead wear a chic hairpiece or floral crown.
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Short hemlines
One notable example of a celebrity who chose a short wedding dress was Rita Wilson, who married Tom Hanks in the late 1980s. She wore a fun and flirty cocktail-style dress that was short and bodycon, adorned with ruffles and lace. Her look was completed with an updo and a simple veil. While her 80s wedding style may not have stood the test of time, her marriage to Tom Hanks has endured.
Another famous bride who chose a short dress was Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who married Brad Hall in 1987. Her dress was inspired by another iconic '80s bride, Lady Di, who married Prince Charles in 1981. Julia's dress had puffy sleeves with layers of lace, capturing the essence of the 80s fashion while also adding her unique twist.
Not all brides wanted a grand gown, and some, like Lisa Birnbach, who married in September 1987, opted for a simple white dress. She chose a white silk sheath with large black epaulets, which could be removed, giving the dress a low-key and rewearable feel. This contrasted with the more extravagant trends of the time, showcasing the diversity of bridal styles in the late '80s.
While some brides chose shorter hemlines, others made statements with unique details. For example, Bonnie C. Likely, who married in October 1987, designed and made her own wedding gown. She wanted to look different from the other brides of the era, avoiding big shoulders and big hair. This showcases how brides in the late '80s embraced diverse styles, from short hemlines to unique custom designs.
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Big hair
The 1980s were a time of big, bold fashion choices, and this extended to bridal hairstyles. During this time, big hair was in vogue, and this trend was embraced by brides wanting to make a statement on their wedding day.
The signature look of the era was voluminous, with height and body being key. Brides of the late 1980s would have spent time and effort to achieve this look, which was often created using a combination of backcombing, hairspray, and hot rollers. The hair was often
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Lace details
The 1980s were all about puffy sleeves, lots of lace, and big hair. Wedding dresses from 1987 to 1989 featured lace in various ways, from lace bodices with high necklines and lace bibs to lace trims and overlays.
Lace bodices with high necklines were a popular choice for brides in the late 1980s. This style is often associated with the iconic wedding dress of Lady Diana Spencer, who married Prince Charles in 1981. Lady Di's dress featured a lacy bib on the bodice and a high neckline, setting a trend for bridal couture in the decade.
Some brides chose to accent their gowns with lace details, such as lace trims at the hem and bodice or alternating lines of lace and sheer fabric. These details added a romantic and elegant touch to the overall look.
For those who wanted a more subtle approach, a full lace overlay was a popular choice. This style offered a classic and timeless look, often paired with puffy sleeves and a ball gown skirt. The lace overlay added texture and visual interest to the ensemble.
Lace was also a prominent feature in non-traditional wedding dress colours. Blue, beige, and antique white gowns with lace details were chosen by brides who wanted to step away from the traditional white dress. These dresses combined the elegance of lace with unique colour choices, creating a memorable and individual look.
Overall, lace played a significant role in the wedding dress fashion of the late 1980s, offering a range of styles from subtle accents to full lace overlays, each reflecting the personality and preferences of the bride.
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