Junior Rasmussen
The colour white is often associated with new beginnings in Western culture. In the past, a white wedding dress was seen as a symbol of status and purity. While pure white wedding dresses were once the traditional choice for brides, the bridal fashion sphere has evolved in recent years. Today, there are various shades of white to choose from, including natural white, diamond white, ivory, and champagne. When selecting a shade of white for a wedding dress, it is important to consider the bride's skin tone, the wedding style, and how the colour will photograph.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional colour | Pure white |
| Modern colour | Ivory |
| Skin tone | Ivory suits most skin tones, especially lighter skin tones |
| Skin tone | Pure white suits darker skin tones and yellow/olive undertones |
| Skin tone | Diamond white suits a wider range of skin tones |
| Fabric | Ivory suits lace, tulle, chiffon, organza, and crepe |
| Fabric | Pure white suits satin, taffeta, and polyester blends |
| Fabric | Diamond white suits satin, crepe, and tulle |
| Style | Ivory is more romantic and ethereal |
| Style | Pure white is more formal |
| Style | Diamond white is vintage |
| Other colours | Champagne, natural white, nude, blush |
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What You'll Learn
Ivory is the most popular shade of white
Ivory is a soft, warm shade of white with a slight tint of cream. It is a more subtle tone than pure white, which can appear harsh and washed out, especially on fair skin. Ivory's creamy hue brings out the details of a wedding dress, highlighting the curves of the body and enhancing features like lace and sequins. It is a romantic and ethereal colour that is often chosen by brides looking for a softer, more vintage-inspired gown.
The right shade of white for a wedding dress depends on the bride's skin tone, personal style, and photography considerations. Pure white tends to suit darker skin tones or complexions with yellow or olive undertones, while ivory is more flattering on lighter skin tones with pink undertones. Ivory's warm undertones complement rosy colouring and create a soft, whimsical look, especially when paired with tulle or lace.
When deciding between white and ivory, it is essential to try on dresses in natural light to see how the colours appear in different lighting conditions. Pure white can sometimes reflect a light blue tint in photographs, especially with HD cameras, so it is important to consider the lighting at the wedding venue and consult with a photographer.
Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a wedding dress colour is finding one that feels most like the bride and complements her unique features. Ivory is a versatile, flattering, and romantic choice that has become increasingly popular, offering a softer and more ethereal alternative to traditional pure white.
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Stark white is the brightest white
While pure white wedding dresses were once the traditional choice, ivory has become increasingly popular in recent years. Ivory is considered more universally flattering, and it complements most skin tones. However, stark white, also known as pure white or true white, remains the brightest white option for a wedding dress.
Stark white is typically bleached to achieve its crisp tint and is best suited for synthetic fabrics such as satins, taffetas, and polyester blends. It is known to pick up the colours of its surroundings, and in certain lighting, it can reflect a light blue tint. While stark white can be worn for any type of wedding celebration, its popularity has decreased due to the rise of more flattering shades like natural white, ivory, and nude.
The brightness of stark white can be overwhelming on fair skin tones, causing a washed-out appearance. According to bridal fashion experts, brighter whites like stark white tend to work best on darker skin tones or complexions with yellow or olive undertones. These skin tones can handle the boldness of stark white without being overpowered.
When selecting a wedding dress shade, it is essential to consider not only your skin tone but also your personal style and photography. While stark white can be a striking choice, it may not be the most camera-friendly option due to its tendency to reflect blue undertones.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour should be guided by what makes the bride feel most confident and aligned with their vision. Whether it's stark white, natural white, or ivory, the right shade will depend on individual preferences and what flatters the bride's unique features.
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Diamond white is flattering and romantic
Diamond white is a romantic and flattering colour for a wedding dress, especially for those who want to embrace tradition with a twist.
Diamond white is a softer alternative to the traditional bright white gown. The bright white is a pure, crisp, and stark white that can sometimes appear harsh and washed out, particularly on paler skin tones. Diamond white, on the other hand, is a more subtle and romantic shade. It is a flattering option for a wider range of skin tones, and it photographs beautifully. Diamond white is less likely to pick up a blue tint in photos, which is an issue that can occur with a bright white dress.
Diamond white is a wonderful choice for a vintage-inspired gown, especially when paired with satin. The combination of diamond white and satin evokes a romantic, old Hollywood vibe. For a whimsical look, a diamond white dress with a sweetheart neckline and a flowy skirt is a perfect choice. If you want to soften the look even further, incorporate tulle into your gown.
While ivory is currently the most popular alternative to bright white, diamond white is a flattering and elegant option that is both traditional and unique. It is a beautiful way to embrace the tradition of a white wedding dress while adding a touch of softness and romance.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a dress that feels like you and complements your unique features.
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Natural white is subtle and traditional
Natural white is a more subtle tone of white, often made from earth-drawn fabrics such as silk or chiffon. It is a great option for brides who want a toned-down version of pure white while still staying within the lines of tradition. Natural white is less likely to wash out the complexions of brides with fairer skin tones, a common issue with pure white dresses. Pure white is also known to pick up the colours of its surroundings, which can be unflattering in certain settings.
Natural white is also a good choice for brides who want to uphold the traditional symbolism of a white wedding dress. White is the colour most associated with new beginnings in Western culture, and has long been used to express high religious commitment and purity. The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Debutantes were also required to wear white court dresses for their first presentation to the queen. The white dress became a symbol of status and a connotation of "innocence and virginal purity".
In recent years, the bridal fashion sphere has evolved, and ivory dresses have become more popular than pure white. Ivory is considered more universally flattering and is often preferred by brides seeking a softer, more romantic, or vintage-inspired look. However, natural white remains an option for brides who want to uphold the traditional colour while still opting for a more subtle shade.
When choosing a wedding dress, it is important to consider your skin tone, wedding style, and how the colour will photograph. While natural white is a more subtle option, it is still a bright hue, and may not be the most flattering option for all skin tones. Trying on dresses in natural light is the best way to find your most suitable shade.
Ultimately, the most important consideration when choosing a wedding dress colour is finding the option that feels most like you.
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Skin tone is key to choosing a shade
The traditional choice for brides has historically been a pure white wedding dress. However, in recent years, ivory has become more popular. When deciding on a dress colour, skin tone should be the number one consideration.
Pure bright white dresses tend to wash out paler skin tones, but they look excellent on darker skin and yellow undertones (also known as olive skin tones). This is because bright whites work best on complexions that have yellow or olive undertones. White can appear harsh on paler skin, giving the impression of paleness or pallor. However, if you have very warm undertones, you might be able to pull off a pure white dress without looking washed out.
Ivory is a more universally flattering colour, working on all skin tones, especially lighter skin with cool undertones. This is because ivory has a slight tint of cream, which gives it a warmer colour. It is also more romantic and ethereal, giving off a softer feel. Ivory also brings out the details of your wedding dress, highlighting the curves of your body, as well as enhancing any lace, sequins, and beading.
Diamond white is another option, which is softer under full light and more flattering on a wider range of skin tones. It works especially well with satin and tulle, which help to soften the overall look.
If you have darker skin with warm undertones, you might also want to try champagne or gold shades, which can add a rich depth to your skin tone.
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Frequently asked questions
White is the traditional colour of a wedding dress. The tradition is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840.
Although white is still a popular choice, ivory has become increasingly more common in recent years.
White is a bright hue with no mixes or shades of any other colour. Because of this, a white gown will almost look a little blue in full light. Ivory, on the other hand, has a slight tint of cream, which gives it a warmer colour.
If you have a darker skin tone or complexion with yellow or olive undertones, brighter whites will work best. For fair skin or pink undertones, yellow ivories will complement your complexion best.
