When you're shopping for a wedding dress you're already in a world of hundreds of styles (who knew there were three different kinds of A-line skirts?). The last thing you have time to keep track of is trends. Here's a guide of what was hot at the fall 2005 runway shows. There is something for everyone, and who knows, one of these trends could be exactly what you were looking for!
Low drop waists. Expect to see dresses with exaggerated drop-waists. Traditionally, a drop-waisted dress falls anywhere from below your belly button to your hip bone, but this season it comes much farther down and hits in the mid-thigh area and fills out into the skirt. This style can be particularly good for a bride who wants a full skirt, but does not want to lose the shape of her figure. It is more challenging, however, for brides with fuller hips or behinds. This silhouette shows it all ladies!
Ribbons and sashes. I love the ribbons and sashes tied around the waists of some of the hottest styles. Many designers showed them tied in a bow in the front, adding sweetness and charm, or tied in the back, which gives a more belted look. Either way, sashes and ribbons can introduce color into a traditional white or ivory dress.
Lots of color. The colors used this season — often in the form of sashes and ribbons — were all across the board ranging from champagne and ivory at Amsale and Melissa Sweet, to lavender and blues at Jim Hjelm and Monique Lhuillier, to deep green, orange and blue at Vera Wang.
Tea-length dresses. This emerging trend is becoming more popular for a bride who wants something feminine and pretty, but not traditional. The shorter length makes these dresses less formal, and can be a great option for outdoor garden or beach weddings. At Vera Wang, tea-length dresses were adorned with lace and ribbons. Carolina Herrera showed a tea-length dress that included ribbon details and an organza overlay. For a sweet and romantic look, check out Romona Keveza's alençon lace tea-length dress with a white-ribbon sash tied in a bow.
Tulle is back! Tulle was all over the runways this season and was used in many different ways. All of them had a look that was light as air and very, very feminine. At Amsale we saw tulle peaking out of a skirt giving it a fresh and modern look. In another Amsale style tulle was used as a sheer overlay on a drop-waisted ballroom skirt that floated down the runway. Angel Sanchez used tulle on many of his designs, including a ball gown with a pleated tulle bodice and crystal embellishments. Romona Keveza showed a gorgeous strapless ball gown with a skirt that was made from multiple layers of English tulle. And finally, Monique Lhuillier combined bodices in lace with tulle skirts creating an exquisite romantic look. 
