Oh man, I'm feeling the urge to redo my Top 10 best royal wedding dresses. I loved, loved this from the second Victoria stepped out of the car. Pär Engsheden, just as we all suspected, was the man placed in charge of the most anticipated dress of the year, and he pulled out a winner.
The dress was cream-colored duchess silk satin. The rounded collar was turned down all the way around, ending in a v-shape in the back, where the dress was fastened with buttons covered in silk. A cummerbund-style sash emphasized Victoria's waist (she just looks so good in anything that highlights her waist, doesn't she?), and it looks like the sash was possibly separate from the dress itself. The short sleeves were perfect for keeping modesty in the church but also for the June weather, since they spent a lot of time outdoors during the course of the day.
The skirt itself fell into a short train, manageable enough for the reception and dancing (excuse the poor quality screen cap on the right, I can't find a professional picture showing it well enough):
And for the ceremony, a nearly 5 meter (16 foot) long detachable train was added. It attached from the waist, and had a border detail to it.
The train followed the shape of the veil, which is the traditional Swedish bridal veil. Queen Sofia's lace veil was first worn in 1932, and was worn by Queen Silvia at her wedding in 1976.
Of course, the veil wasn't the only traditional accessory Victoria wore. The Cameo tiara was the odds-on favorite in bridal tiara guesses, and as suspected Victoria followed through with tradition and wore it just as her mother and two of her father's sisters had. She also wore the earrings and bracelet that go with the Cameo parure (so happy she didn't spring for the necklace, too!).
I have to say, this is the way to wear the Cameo. This Napoleanic-era antique is such a statement piece (to say the least), you have to give it room to breathe. Having a more open neckline and leaving the veil to the back (rather than Silvia's bunched up effect) made this outing much more successful than its last royal wedding display:
I thought the simple bridesmaid dresses carried through with Victoria's dress style, but also were a little reminiscent of Silvia's own dress. Great touch, especially since June 19 was the King and Queen's wedding anniversary too.
Finally, the bride carried a bouquet of multiple varieties of white flowers, and wore custom shoes in the same silk as the dress with a bejeweled buckle by Roger Vivier.
Seriously, I love everything about it. I had my fingers crossed Victoria would continue her recent streak of sartorial wins down the aisle, and she came through. Gown of the year indeed.
What did you think of The Dress?
Photos: Daylife/All Over Press/Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images/svt