The feminine attire of the times of Josephine does not need special advertising - it speaks for itself, combining not only beauty and elegance, but also comfort. For example, for a summer wedding dresses in Empire style will be the best option, because they do not require a corset, petticoat or crinoline. But these are not all the advantages of the outfit. About them will be discussed later.
It is very important for the bride at the wedding to create a memorable, attractive, harmonious image of cleanliness, freshness and nobility, and an empire style wedding dress will help in this the best way possible.
How it all began?
Empire style, or imperial style, dominated Europe in the early 19th century. This was manifested in everything: in architecture and painting, applied art and landscape design, and, of course, in fashion.
The main example for artists, architects, designers was antiquity, a unique artistic style of Ancient Greece and Rome. In fashion, this meant a rejection of the lush, intricate outfits that prevailed in the 18th century.
Empress Josephine Beauharnais, Napoleon’s wife, can be considered the founder of the Empire style in fashion. In this era, the ideal of ancient simplicity was intensely planted, and the garments of ancient Greek statues became a model for women's dresses. Therefore, Greek wedding dresses and dresses in the Empire style are often identified with each other.
Their distinctive feature was the waist line directly under the chest and the skirt freely falling to the floor.
Soon, with the light hand of Josephine and the court tailor Leroy, all the ladies of the imperial court were dressed in dresses stylized as ancient Greek tunics, and since France was considered a trendsetter, the style quickly spread throughout Europe, including Russia.
It was in such a dress that Natasha Rostova was at her first ball before the start of the war with Napoleon.
Style development
It should immediately be emphasized that the models in the Empire style only in silhouette resembled an antique pattern. For the ancient Greeks, the main thing in the outfit was skillfully executed drapery, which gave him not only beauty, but also provided the woman with freedom of movement.
Empire-style dresses are characterized by smooth lines. The fitted bodice usually ends with a belt, which allows you to hide the junction of the top and freely falling bottom. With such a laconic silhouette, it can look and emphasized simply, and completely luxurious.
In the very first models of the Napoleonic Empire with a narrow bodice and a deep neckline, the skirt was straight, to the toes and with a train, and draping began to be done somewhat later, and then only on the bodice. But there appeared charming “flashlight” sleeves and over time the skirt became somewhat shorter, allowing you to see the shoes, and then the graceful ankle.
The conciseness of the style of dresses in the Empire style was bathed in rich decoration. Lace, bows, bouquets of fresh and artificial flowers, as well as decoration with ornaments in Egyptian, Greek and Etruscan style were used.
Over time, fashion changed, and outfits in the Empire style began to look hopelessly outdated. But, as you know, fashion is returning, and the updated Empire style has made a real sensation on the world catwalks in the first half of the 20th century.
This time, the sculptor and couturier Alix Gray made full use of the principle of antique drapery to create stunning models of beauty and elegance.
Madeleine Vionne, who preferred flowing light fabrics and an unusual cut, also contributed to the development of neoclassical evening fashion. Such dresses made of silk and chiffon with soft folds and skillful drapery turned the woman into a kind of antique goddess.
Antique image today
Empire style wedding dresses continue to remain relevant in the 21st century, although, of course, there were some adjustments, in particular, in the upper part:
- the bodice can now be closed or asymmetric;
- straps are used;
- outfit with one open shoulder is possible.
In short, the opinion of fashion designers who consider it one of the most promising trends in wedding fashion is justified.
The length and style of the sleeves can be very diverse: from a short flashlight to a long lace and tight, which is most suitable for a winter celebration.
This also applies to straps. Variations are not few. For example, thin, wide, decorated with rhinestones, tightening the neck. As for the quantity, the strap can be one at all.
If we talk about the color scheme of wedding models in the Empire style, then they look most harmoniously in gentle light colors:
- pink;
- blue
- ivory;
- vanilla.
They more appropriately emphasize the freshness and tenderness of the image of the bride and groom.
Although the floor length is considered canonical for dresses in the empire style, they look very original below or even knee-length.
Today, this antique style with its clean lines and seeming simplicity of cut helps to create a surprisingly feminine and, at the same time, noble image of the bride, which combines seemingly incompatible qualities - innocence and sexuality, purity and seduction.
Advantages
- Comfort In comparison with other models of wedding dresses, empire style outfits are characterized by amazing comfort in wearing, which is important for the bride, who will stay in it almost all day and at the same time look good.Such dresses, regardless of length, create a feeling of harmony and grace, even some kind of weightlessness.
- Correction of a figure. Do not underestimate empire style wedding dresses because of the apparent simplicity of the style - it will not only emphasize the natural beauty and stateness of the bride, but also perfectly hide some of the figure's flaws, give her femininity, and make the image harmonious.
- Thanks to the Empire style cut, it is possible to emphasize the beauty of the neck and arms.
- Despite a simple cut, an empire style wedding dress gives ample room for decoration. Particular attention should be paid to the belt under the chest. It is often decorated with all kinds of decorative elements that are at the peak of fashion in this season. Thanks to the imagination of the designers, the bride seems to be something like a graceful antique nymph, who came to us from another world where harmony, beauty and serenity reign.
Who goes with Empire-style wedding dresses?
For pregnant brides, it will be just the perfect option, regardless of the term. The bride in the wedding dress should be comfortable, and she should not crush anywhere, because the discomfort of the future mother causes discomfort to the future baby. Note that with a solid tummy, the figure seems more proportional than in a wedding dress of any other style.
The only thing to consider is a possible increase in breast size, but it is easy to adjust before the wedding itself.
Empire gives excellent opportunities to correct the figure.
An empire style dress is a true find for miniature fragile and full brides with wide hips and extra fat at the waist, since vertical lines and folds, in addition to hiding fragility or extra pounds, seem to lengthen the figure, make it taller and slimmer.
It is also able to adjust the shape of the breast.
If it is too small, it can be visually increased by drapery. In this case, the top should be sewn from dense fabric, and the bottom, on the contrary, should be sewn from light. Glittery fabric or lush trim can also be used.
But the magnificent chest can be emphasized with the original belt and choose a model with a square neckline or with a V-shaped.
Girls with wide shoulders should choose an asymmetrical bodice on one shoulder. Such a fit will visually narrow your shoulders.
It should be said that an empire style wedding dress is best suited for a summer wedding. It is not hot because there are no tight corsets and fluffy skirts. The free cut of the lower part and the open top do not impede air circulation, moreover, the fabrics from which such dresses are sewn are light, almost weightless.
the cloth
In each season, couturiers present in their wedding collections dresses in the Empire style, made mainly from natural fabrics:
- silk, which is a favorite;
- atlas;
- chiffon;
- organza;
- lace. It is most often used for decoration.
For bodice dresses can be used:
- brocade;
- muslin;
- tulle.
The combination of lace and chiffon looks no less elegant, and wedding dresses made of thin lace fabric that imitates handmade work do not need to be trimmed at all.
Dresses made of pleated fabric look especially impressive: with the slightest movement, the small folds forming a pleated fabric, as it were, flow into each other, which creates a fascinating game of shades.
Finish
Empire style is truly universal: it allows you to create completely luxurious, richly decorated toilets, and emphasized simple, but at the same time elegant wedding dresses in their elegance.
Even with a minimum of decoration, an empire style wedding dress is fully consistent with high fashion, embodying severity and smoothness of the lines of the silhouette, noble restraint and genuine aristocracy. However, for a more solemn and festive impression, a fabric-tone finish is used, which looks especially elegant.
The main decorative elements are usually located on the bodice and on the belt under the chest. And here the couturier has enormous opportunities for decorating such a seemingly simple style: you can drape the bodice (such a model with a small chest is especially suitable), you can decorate it or the belt with embroidery with gold or silver threads, beads, pearls, rhinestones, sequins, ribbons, flowers, even precious or semiprecious stones.
An example of the decoration of the bodice and belt with stones, rhinestones and sequins is the collection "Gossamer" by Australian designer Anna Campbell.
The impressive design of open dresses in the Empire style, lace backs, interesting weave of straps - all this does not prevent the bride from remaining feminine, modest and elegant.
Accessories
To fully match the image, the bride can style her hair in a smooth high hairstyle or dissolve her hair with large curls, like in ancient Greek statues.
The diadem will harmoniously fit into such an image, light and graceful, and if the model is emphasized simple, without any decor elements, then the necklace in the same style as the diadem will be a worthy completion of the image.
An interesting addition will be gloves. Their length depends on the openness of the dress.
Jewelry depends on the preferences of the bride, the main thing is that they are not catchy. And shoes can be both classical and in the Greek style (sandals mounted on straps or shoes without heels).
Empire style dresses are perfect for women with a tummy) This is just my case. And the style itself is very elegant.
Thin lace is the best dress decoration. Many cool options in a selection of photos. I especially liked the first.