The ’80s are back, baby! Wedding publication, Bridal Fashion Week Online, predicts that we’ll see a lot of puffy sleeves and bows on wedding dresses this year. But don’t worry—they aren’t our mothers’ dresses. While 2022 trends are certainly borrowing from the 1980s, the dresses are upgraded, modernized, and elegant.
Check out these eight trends that are making a comeback in 2022:
1. Statement sleeves
Puffy sleeves are becoming popular again, but they’re not what they used to be. While we can still look to Princess Diana for inspiration in this department, today’s puffy sleeves are a little more toned down. Instead of looking like giant marshmallows on brides’ shoulders, they’re often sheer and designed to hang off-the-shoulder. Still, treat them as statement pieces on your big day.
2. Bows
The ’80s’ giant bows were admittedly a lot, but like the puffy sleeve, designed well, they can act as statement pieces. Big bows are once again being placed on the back of gowns, and smaller versions are being placed on sleeves, especially on off-the-shoulder gowns. They’re a tiny homage to the ’80s, without making people think, “the 80s called, and it wants its dress back.”
3. Feathers
While feathers weren’t widespread on ’80s wedding dresses, they were in everyday style. Four decades later, they’re finding their way onto wedding gowns. Think small, elegant feather appliques scattered down the skirt and train.
4. Layers
Feathers, bows, and puffy sleeves are undeniably ’80s, but there are more subtle style details that are hot this spring, too, including layers. The ’80s wedding dresses were all about layered skirts and sleeves. Expect something similar in 2022: layered texture skirts, layered ruffle skirts, and layered ruffle sleeves.
5. Long Sleeves
Full-length lace sleeves were also popular in the ’80s, and while it’s a trend that has stuck around on and off since, 2022 is refining and simplifying the look. Expect to see sheer, fluted, off-the-shoulder, lace, and flowy sleeves this bridal season.
6. Lace
There were very few wedding dresses in the ’80s that didn’t have beaded lace appliques all over them. Lace has been back on the bridal radar for several years now. This year, expect full lace gowns, lace sleeves, lace necklines, and dramatic lace backs on dresses.
7. High Necklines
High necklines were another staple on wedding dresses in the ’80s. They went off the radar for a while, but they’re coming back this year. In the ’80s, dresses’ high necklines were often covered in beaded lace, but today, they’re simple and sophisticated, with halters and illusion necklines.
8. Princess Style
Princess Diana made the princess-style wedding dress all the rage in the ’80s. Because of shows like “Bridgerton,” the princess-style gown is trending again. A timeless princess-style gown, with Victorian flair through soft and romantic elements like lace and layers, is hot this year.
