Skip to main content
Weddings

Ball Gown Wedding Dresses Just Got a 2018 Upgrade

This classic wedding dress silhouette never goes out of style. See how to rock an upgraded version of the timeless ball gown for 2018.

Carol Hannah fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

Carol Hannah fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

There's no silhouette more timeless than the ball gown wedding dress. Ball gowns are regal, elegant and glamorous, so it's easy to see why brides love this style time and time again. At New York Bridal Market this season, we saw a new take on ball gowns for 2018: petticoat-inspired skirts. What's that, you ask? Think of clothing from the 19th and early 20th century, when women wore large petticoats, hoop skirts and crinolines underneath their dresses and skirts to create a fuller effect (the bigger, the better). It's a technique that is still used today for most traditional ball gown wedding dresses, but this season, we saw petticoats on the outside of skirts for the first time. We think the resurgence of historical dramas, like Downton Abbey, Outlander, Victoria, and The Crown is behind this princess-inspired look, and it's safe to say we're obsessed!

See how to rock a petticoat skirt, the upgraded version of a ball gown wedding dress for 2018.

Wtoo by Watters fall 2018 wedding dresses

We've seen layered tulle skirts in the past, but this season, Watters upped the ante by adding a ruffled trim to this playful Wtoo gown, giving it an even fuller appearance. Wear this gorgeous dress if you want to feel like you're floating on air.

Dress by Wtoo by Watters

Carol Hannah fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

Fluffy tiers of tulle were offset by a simple sweetheart bodice on this romantic Carol Hannah design. The noticeably separate layers of the dress created a hoop skirt effect.

Dress by Carol Hannah

Marchesa fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

Marchesa's take on the trend was this tulle ball gown wedding dress covered in diamond-shaped ruffles.

Dress by Marchesa

Gracy Accad fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

Even brides who love edgy style can get on board with the petticoat trend. Case in point: this fashion-forward look by Gracy Accad featuring a pieced skirt with floral beading and a moto jacket for the ultimate cool girl vibe.

Dress by Gracy Accad

Lakum fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

Trendsetting brides, this look is calling your name! Bridal pants look super stylish on their own, but as seen at Lakum, the look becomes even cooler when paired with a petticoat skirt—worn as a top.

Dress by Lakum

BHLDN fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

No ball gown? No problem. BHLDN incorporated subtle petticoat vibes with this stunning sheath gown that would be perfect for a bride favoring a simpler silhouette. The high neckline and lacy sleeve cuffs add to the overall Victorian feel of the dress.

Dress by BHLDN

Inbal Dror fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

Inbal Dror wowed us with this short rocker-chic dress. The asymmetric "can-can girl" hem is perfect for showing off a killer pair of wedding shoes and the sequined tulle gives the dress a fun hint of sparkle.

Dress by Inbal Dror

Naeem Khan fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

Naeem Khan gave us all the ethereal wedding vibes with this floaty dress. The sheer petticoat-style skirt was offset by a flirty ruffled neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves.

Dress by Naeem Khan

Antonio Gual fall 2018 wedding dresses
Dan Lecca

This whimsical style is what ball gown wedding dress dreams are made of. The timeless sweetheart neckline and structured silk shantung bodice contrast beautifully with the full skirt, which is covered in tiers of ruched tulle.

Dress by Tulle by Antonio Gual