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Every April and October, dress designers from around the world come to New York to display their new designs at the Bridal Market show.
Esther Lee, editorial director at the Knot, said their editors saw over 1,000 new gowns, all of which will be in bridal salons starting this month. But a handful of wedding dress trends stood out. “Wedding dress trends are often tied back to contemporary changes in silhouettes, the latest fabrics and the composition of gowns,” said Lee.
This season, some of the major trends are mermaid silhouettes, bubble hems, sheer or illusion gowns and bow accents, from teeny-tiny to supersize.
Mermaid
This glamorous fit-and-flare gown, “Aberdeen Vida Lane” by Sottero and Midgley, features a strapless neckline with a folded band and a lace-up corset closure.
“Shelton,” a contour strapless mermaid gown by Anne Barge, has an intricately pleated illusion tulle overlay. The base is available in silk white or nude.
Shawne Jacobs, creative director at Anne Barge, shared that the brand’s fall collection introduced three mermaid silhouettes, for brides who want a more fitted, sculptural look. “Mermaid gowns bring a sense of modern elegance and architectural drama that feels fresh yet timeless,” she said.
There’s a reason why this style was popular among Disney princess fans.
“A mermaid silhouette, also known as a trumpet gown, is defined by two main design elements: a fitted bodice accompanied by a skirt that tails out at the ankle, creating a mermaid effect. Mermaid silhouettes are a dramatic and figure-hugging choice for brides who want a more glamorous wedding dress option,” said designer Barge.
Bows
Inspired by Snow White, this strapless ballgown, style No. D437, is by Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and features layers of satin and sparkly tulle, lace appliques, beading and a statement bow at the natural waist.
“Pezy” by Rebecca Ingram has an asymmetrical origami bow and keyhole detail on the bodice, paired with a fitted floor-length skirt.
Bow details have been a bridal accent for decades, placed on the shoulder, bodice or back, or adding an additional design element to the train.
Not to mention that there’s a symbolic component.
“A bow holds two pieces of fabric together, illustrating a romantic element of partners tying the knot,” said Lee.
Bubble hems
Oleg Cassini’s bubble hem taffeta ballgown, Style No. CWG1071, in soft white has a plunging neckline accented with a twist knot detail at the bodice.
“Nautilus” by Anne Barge is a minidress made from duchesse satin with a pleated front bodice and a sheer back.
Bubble hems are often considered ’80s-themed, but “pop culture has given this hemline a revamp in 2026, especially when we think about style references on shows like ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Sex and the City,’ ” said Lee.
A bubble hem will give skirts a fuller look.
“A bubble hem is designed to curve inward, creating a rounded, voluminous silhouette with a soft, sculptural feel,” said Jacobs. “Seeing the style re-emerge now feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern, a reminder of how fashion continuously revisits and reinterprets its past.”
Sheer
“Natasha,” a fit-and-flare gown from Dreams by Lihi Hod, is made of delicate floral lace, a semi-sheer corseted bodice with visible boning, a strapless sweetheart neckline and a lace-edged train.
Arava Polak’s A-line gown “Melanie” features a sheer corset bodice with a strapless pointed sweetheart neckline, exposed boning and floral lace appliques.
Many brides turn to celebrities’ red-carpet or wedding looks for inspiration, often finding sheer looks that leave little to the imagination. “Sheer illusion style dresses are still a trend,” said Dorothy Silver, director of merchandising at Kleinfeld Bridal. “But many brides are leaning toward a more modest approach … lining the gown in certain areas to not show as much skin.”
Strategically placed lace or embroidery can also provide modesty, which may be required in a house of worship.
Regardless, wedding experts will always tell a bride to choose a gown that she looks and feels beautiful in.
“Trends come and go,” said Jacobs. “Choosing something timeless with a modern twist allows a bride to feel current in the moment while still loving her dress years from now. It’s about letting trends enhance your personal style, not define it.”
