Bride Chic

The sweetheart neckline has been around for centuries.  Back in the 1800s, it wasn't as extreme as what it's become over its fashion evolution.  Known back in the then  as  en coeur  (meaning "heart-shaped" ), it was worn off the shoulder and gently curved into a V-shape in the décolletage area. From the antebellum period (1840s) to the Belle Époque (1871-1914), this restrained version of the sweetheart was de riguer and seen mostly in eveningwear in the latter part of the century. It had its resurgence in the 1940s, softening square necklines on A-line dresses. It evolved into its iconic full-heart-shaped, strapless design by the 1950s.    Traditional wedding dresses from the Mid-Century often featured heart-shaped bustiers with an overbodice of lace or sheer fabrics like soft tulle (above), creating a see-through effect.   Some designers have adapted this look to current collections--especially underneath lace with the return to tradition of hig...