From the Oscar’s this past Sunday to the epic Golden Globes just awhile back, the 2024 award shows this year did not disappoint in the style department! And now that award season is officially over, we thought it would be a great time to round up our favorite trends we caught so you can get all the formal wear fashion inspo as you plan and prep your style mood boards for your upcoming wedding and formal events.
Which is you favorite trend from our selections? Let us know in the comments and or share and tag us in a post of you rocking one of these trends using the #BlackBride1998!
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A Touch of Sparkle & Shine
There’s no such thing as too much or too little sparkle. Whether you find yourself wanting to incorporate a hefty or small amount into your wedding day fashion, the important thing to know is that no matter which path you take, it will always work. The ladies above each took different approaches to rocking sparkling looks. Issa Rae and Danielle Brooks both kept their sparkles to a minimum by keeping them up on top with their dress bodices while Amber Riley and Gabrielle Union both went all out and rocked it from head to toe. No matter which you identify with, trust that each will give you the boost your formal look needs for your wedding day fashion choices.
Images by Getty Images.
The More Chainmail, the Better!
Chainmail has truly become the fabric choice of the season this year and it’s only March! So many stars rocked the textile fabric with their awards ceremony looks and for right reason; chainmail feels strong and translates even stronger. And although it’s a bold and powerful fabric choice, you can make it your’s by how you rock it. If you’re more into remaining ultra feminine and dainty with your chainmail, look to America Ferrera or Greta Gerwig and how they used jewels and light, feminine hues to soften the look. And if you’re a bit more edgy, Margot Robbie and Dua Lipa’s messy, tossled hair added just the right amount of contrast and texture to expand on the ultra-cool fabric.
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Dramatic Sleeves Are WEAR It’s At
If you like a little drama in your life when it comes to your fashion choices, rocking a dramatic sleeve is the way to go! This award season, we saw a legion of shapely sleeves on some of our favorite leading ladies and each of them slayed it. From Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s coordinated pink & green looks from this year’s Oscar’s to Janelle James’ billowing, chartreuse sleeves at the Golden Globes; dramatic sleeves are a bold bride’s dream when it comes to accessorizing her ceremony and or reception looks.
Images by Getty Images.
Simply the Best
Who said simple doesn’t win? Sometimes, when it comes to formal wear, simple is actually the best route to go! Stars like Tika Sumpter and Tracy Ellis Ross have mastered this with their minimal looks and are key examples of how it can work well if done right. For minimalistic outfits, it’s important to style smart. So, for brides who want to be more simple and chic for their wedding day or guests looking to not do too much, prioritize finding the perfect shoe to accentuate your look like Tika and Tracy or take a page out of Greta Lee and Halle Bailey’s playbook and play with shaping and pleating to add dimension.
Image by Getty Images.
Go Bateau or Go Home
The Bateau neckline is both elegant and modern, making it the perfect sophisticated element to include when looking for a dress design. If you’re a bride that’s interested in choosing a road less travelled when it comes to finding a neckline for your wedding gown, the bateau might be the one for you. As you can see, this neckline looks great with sleeves like Eva Longoria’s recent Oscar’s look from a few nights ago or without sleeves like Fantasia’s custom Dolce & Gabbana gown. This neckline is ultra classy and works well on every body shape, perfectly accentuating the décolletage and softens the arms and shoulders in the most feminine way.
Image by Getty Images.
Classic Old Hollywood Is Back
While elements of classic, Old Hollywood style have never quite gone away on the red carpet scene, we saw it be completely embodied in multiple looks the past few months. From Victoria Monét and Janelle Monae’s strapless gold and black numbers with cinched waists, ruching, and floral accents to Kelly Rowland and Joan Small’s gloved choices, these looks serve as blueprints to how to take the elegance of that era and translate it to still be with the modern times of today.
Images by Getty Images.
Something About Pattern Play
Pattern play was all the rage this award season! On nearly every red carpet, we saw some of our fav starlets have fun with mixing and matching ambitious patterns and even textures to create a one-of-one look for the moment. Forever Living Single alum and current American Fiction star Ericka Alexander wore a stunning mixture of colorful florals in her Greta Constantine dress styled by Tracy Shappoff while The Bear breakout star Ayo Edebiri rocked plaid-on-plaid Luar for the SAG AFTRA Awards to have their own turn at mixing and matching bold patterns. If you’re a bride who’s looking to add a fun element to your overall wedding fashion aesthetic, try having your bridesmaids dip their toe into some pattern play!
Written by Fashion Writer, Kennedi LéShea.
