So you hate wedding dresses? You're asking yourself want can I wear instead of a traditional wedding dress? Modern brides are increasingly choosing non-traditional wedding dresses (and weddings!) and there have never been so many swoon-worthy, statement-making wedding dress alternatives available for chic and unconventional brides. Here is a round up of our favorite styles - with suggested headpieces, of course!

Unusual Silhouettes

The freshest non-traditional wedding dresses all have unusual, and very fashionable, silhouettes. Gone are the days of strapless ballgowns, princess lines dresses and body-con mesh numbers with excessive beading. Unconventional brides are now choosing short wedding dresses, or styles that are tiered and ruffled. One of our favorite new silhouettes is a 'tabard' style - a long sheath-like silhouette either as the main silhouette of the dress or as a sheer cape over a dress.

Increasingly popular, and a definite breath of fresh air, are modern wedding dresses that are more casual in style but still luxe, such as a shirt dress made in exquisite silk crepe. 

Choose a headpiece that echoes the silhouette and proportion of the dress or add a short and sweet birdcage veil to a less obvious dress to make it more bridal. 

 

Emilia Wickstead Short dress, Alix Beaded Headband with Veil 

  

Grace Vintage Silk Flower Headband, Viktor & Rolf Ruffled Dress

 

Sophie et Voila Dress, Luana Ruffled Organza Crown

  

Giovanna Large Headband with Pearls, Halfpenny London Tulle Tabard

 

Delphine Manivet shirtdress, Clemence Renaissance Pearl Head-tie

Pantsuits, Jumpsuits and Separates

A very chic and comfortable alternative to a traditional wedding dress is a pantsuit or jumpsuit. These have long been a favorite of City Hall brides but are now also the chic choice for brides choosing unusual wedding venues or having smaller, or multi-day events. Look for a pantsuit or jumpsuit with clean lines and either keep the silhouette sleek with a minimalist headpiece, or make a head-turning entrance in a statement-making flowers crown or headband. 

  

Serena Birdcage Veil, Gabriela Hearst Pantsuit

 

Maria Fekih shortsuit, Cayetana Silk Bow Headband

  

Juliana Silk Flower Brown, Maria Fekih skirt and top

 

Houghton jumpsuit, Charlotte Headpiece with Bows and Birdcage Veil

Covered up - with coats, capes and long sleeves

Bridal trends for many years now have shown a lot of skin and every curve but modern brides are now opting for a more classic and covered-up look. For some this means adding a beautiful coat or cape in exquisite fabric to a clean-lined dress with the bonus that these chic pieces of outerwear can definitely be worn again. Alternatively the sleeve, either long and fitted or dramatically puffy, is the ultimate statement maker. Wonderfully all of these non-traditional wedding dress ideas also make the outfit much more appropriate for a fall or winter wedding, which are fast increasing in popularity amongst alternative brides. 

For your headpiece keep the silhouette clean and simple, avoiding ruffles and sparkles, but scale the size to suit the overall silhouette of your dress.

  

Sophie et Voile coat and cape, Danielle Frankel trench coat 

 

Serefina rose headpiece, Lucrezia pearl headband,  Lilibet petal large headband

  

Suzanne Neville, Yolan Cris, Sophie et Voila