THE WEEKLY SKETCH: The Bouffant Wedding Dress
"Bouffant" marks a precise era of fashion history — the late 1950s and early 1960s. Bouffant refers to the skirt portion of the gown and its flattering bell shape. It also refers to hairstyling that featured height. The 1960s bouffant wedding dress captured a moment when bridal fashion embraced both structure and spectacle. Defined by its voluminous skirt—often supported by layers of crinoline—and a sharply fitted bodice, the silhouette created a striking hourglass effect that felt both youthful and ceremonious. Influenced by the broader “New Look” legacy of Christian Dior yet reinterpreted through a mid-century lens, these gowns frequently featured bateau necklines, elbow-length sleeves, and fabrics such as taffeta, organza, and silk that held their shape with architectural precision. The look was less about softness and more about presence: a bride entering the room with unmistakable form. What distinguishes the bouffant of the 1960s is its balance between innocence and ...







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