Reem Acra Spring 2013 Bridal Collection

Posted on May 3, 2012 in Fashion

Darlings, you can’t be bridal’d out yet, can you? There are still THOUSANDS* of poufy white gowns to look at! This collection is fairly traditional, but it offers just a teeny bit of glam and modernity to the mix. Although we’d be hard-pressed to call opera gloves modern. On the other hand, every time we ask the question of Miss Piggy gloves, a surprising number of ladies say they’d love to rock a pair. We blame Lady Mary Crawley.

Also, that very simple gown with the beaded lace cap sleeves is chic as hell.

*wildly overstated.

[Photo Credit: firstVIEW]

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http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

Some really lovely looks here, but a bit too much reliance on BIG ruffles for my taste. But then again Weddingland is the land of overstatement, no?
- http://profile.yahoo.com/2A5LFRESOYGTOZZIPIZ5L7CEYA Sally
  
  I agree on the ruffles. And why does the tulle look dirty?
  - http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd
    
    I wonder if its some kind of strange bounce back from the uber-shiny runway?
  - Jessi03
    
    It looks like a lot of the tulle is gray.
- MilaXX
  
  Not for all of us. I think that’s why I like the one TLo pointed out. That dress with the sheer lace sleeves is simple and beautiful.
  - http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd
    
    The simplest looks are all my faves as well. But then these huge dresses are b=hard to pull of if you are unused to wearing such things. So simpler is better. Besides, that plain dress with the lace cap sleeves, could be shortened and dyed, and become an awesome dress for special evenings out.
    - poggi
      
      People always think they will do this but I don’t know anyone who has done it. My mother did just recently use my wedding dress to make a dress for my daughter; at least it will get some use (it’s really pretty actually). In addition, whenever I can manufacture an excuse to dress up at all I want something new and fabulous–I wouldn’t want to wear a reworded weedding dress (even the lovely dress in question in here).
      - http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd
        
        I bow to the voice of true experience. I had no idea that this sort of thing is never actually done.
      - poggi
        
        I think the argument is used frequently (I mean if you wear it again spending more than your budget becomes tolerable, practical, even responsible). However, while I have made the argument or had it may to me (in the case of bridesmaid dresses) I have never actually done it.
      - lurker2209
        
        I have a yard of black cotton sateen I bought in a mad fit of inspiration to take apart my strapless knee-length bridesmaid dress and turn it into a cute red skirt with a black waistband. Then I got intimidated by those very same pockets that make me choose the dress and the dress and the fabric have been sitting in my sewing corner ever since. Someday I might get around to it, but often modifying an outfit can be harder than making something from scratch with a pattern.
      - SapphoPoet
        
        My mother altered her wedding dress and made it into an evening gown. She wore it for years to various diplomatic functions.
        
        Oh, and a friend made me a doll’s dress (which I still have) out of the leftover material.
      - poggi
        
        That’s really cool. It is entirely possible that my life involves so few black tie events I can’t imagine not buying something new if one ever came up. I have to find/create/make up occasions to wear a cocktail dress.
      - pattyw
        
        My mom had our christening gown made out of the train from her wedding dress.
      - poggi
        
        My mom did something similar. She made her wedding dress into my sister’s first communion dress. I think making kids’ clothes is a great option. While I couldn’t keep my wedding dress, I can definitely keep the dress my mom made for my daughter out of it.
  - Little_Olive
    
    I thought the same, but then I looked at a side shot and… not so great. The way it’s constructed would totally give you uniboob/pillowboob. I figure an alteration to solve the problem (for my conspicuous boobage at least) would go against the beautiful minimalistic line.
    
    Which brings me to: designers, you don’t get to say you are incorporating sleeves when the dress in question is still technically strapless.
    - MilaXX
      
      That is disheartening. Personally it’s not that I hate strapless gowns, it’s that I hate strapless being the only option. I’m even willing to give sheer half a pass if its done nicely.
jenno1013

Too many strapless. I kind of like the ones that have a sheer overlay on the decolletage, but only kind-of because it’s not executed consistently well here. Some of the sheer bits are pretty, and others look like a rash.
- NinaBoo
  
  They obviously did not pick up on the Cathy Cambridge influence. Sleeves are awesome!
Little_Olive

Coincidentally love all the ones with straps/sleeves.

Love how the model’s feet are spilling out of the sandals in the first picture.
http://profile.yahoo.com/J2VE4NE2FY2BP4QD2XOYKJGLPI Laura

I think this might be the best ones yet. REALLY stunning.
halleygee

I tend to look at these collections as if I was shopping for myself, even though I’ve been married over 13 years, but there are definitely some in here that work. Like it for the most part but agree with others on too much strapless.
judith traherne

The first one–strapless, short, fitted–with the full-length gloves? That’s just silly.

A couple of these, eg the last one, have long tulle veils over the front of the dress. Can someone with a better monitor tell me what is going on? Is it a poncho veil?
- http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd
  
  Sure looks like it is, in the last pic, especially. Chances of that single layer of tulle making through the wedding unscathed? Slim to none.
  - Pennymac
    
    Agreed. It’s wildly impractical. I love it, though.
    - http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd
      
      Yup. Dreamy, and lovely.
- http://www.djplaw.com/ Tadiana
  
  My first thought on looking at that first dress: We’ve found Jennifer Aniston’s next wedding dress.
  - Sobaika Mirza
    
    Or Heidi’s, not that she’s heading into marriage anytime soon.
- http://twitter.com/foodycatAlicia foodycatAlicia
  
  If I get reincarnated as a tall slender woman, I am DEFINITELY getting married in that first dress. Without the gloves though.
Sobaika Mirza

So absolutely dreamy! Love these, my favorites yet.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=811053804 Stacy Parker Cole

Gorgeous collection.
MK03

Ick. Too many fussy, over-designed dresses. And I”m sorry, but a SEQUINED COCKTAIL DRESS?? No. That is just tacky.
In_Stitches

I don’t know, maybe I’m having an off day, but a lot of this just doesn’t read ‘Bridal’ to me. They’re giant white gowns in fairly traditional wedding shapes with traditional wedding fabrics, so I don’t know what it is that’s making me thing more fabulous red carpet than bridal. Maybe it’s the fact that I actually like these dresses…
BazoDee

7 and 8 are breathtaking. The entire collection is lovely -but aren’t these models taking that dour expression a bit to the extreme?
- http://www.GiftedCollector.com Nancy Abrams
  
  Zombie brides. Almost every model’s eyes are half closed as if they were drugged or not allowed to sleep the night before.
  - roadtrip1000
    
    And not allowed to eat either.
PaulaBerman

Only two have straps or tops that would actually cover a bra strap. Dislike for that reason alone.
MilaXX

Nice use of sheers in this collections. Hopefully I go this right; I like 6,9 and 13. 13 would so be my dress if I was getting married.
http://twitter.com/starlounging Ann M. Erickson

Ooooh sparkles. That is all it takes, I’m easy to please. No on the mullet dresses though.
RedRaven617

In the second photo the gloves are wildly too big on the model. Very distracting from the dress. You can see the empty tops of the fingers.
- quickpicks
  
  When your’e 6 feet tall and weight 90 lbs., it’s hard to find gloves that fit. :0)
http://twitter.com/jaythenerdkid Aaminah Khan

I love these big tulle confections you always see in bridal collections. I figure, if a gal can’t wear a big ruffly explosive get-up on her wedding day, when can she wear it? It reminds me of pulling a big, thick quilt around my waist to make a dress when I was a little girl – it’s big and silly and ridiculous, but you feel like a princess when you look in the mirror.
http://www.facebook.com/fiddlecub Kevin VanOrd

Yup. They’re wedding gowns all right.

Sorry to sound dismissive, but so few bridal collections get me excited. Not a single splash of color? I realize that many brides embrace tradition, but tradition is so blase for us non-brides!
- http://twitter.com/LPsometimes LP
  
  I’m a woman, but I also don’t get too excited about wedding collections. However, #9 here is really nice. It actually has something architectural about it instead of being a straight stick stuck inside of a poofy skirt mess.
colleenjanel

So much for the sleeve trend that Kate started. Yeah, I know a few of them have sheer sleeves, but from a modesty standpoint, those don’t count as sleeves.
AnaRoW

The only one I come close to liking is the mini-dress. The rest are butt-ugly.
sleah_in_norcal

more ugly hair. is this a trend for this years bride?
tired_mommy

STUNNING! Makes me want to get married again (after winning the lottery so I can afford one of these…and loose 20 lbs so I can fit one of these…)
VicksieDo

#7 and the last one are my faves. That cap sleeve simple one is GORGEOUS, but those sleeves would never stay up on me, I’d have to crazy glue them to my shoulders.
IAmJ

The only one I love without reservations is number 3. Number 14 is quite nice, too.
I have a few ‘maybe if’s because I like parts of the dress, but the entire look doesn’t quite work for me. The execution of some of the sweetheart necklines is, to me, unsuccessful. I hate the gloves. Number 2 especially looks well-equipped to scrub a toilet.
luciaphile

They’re all very pretty, but not anything I haven’t seen before. And — ok this is directed at designers in general — why are the majority of these strapless? What is wrong with sleeves? Not every bride has amazing arms.
Miss_Magpie

A lot of these look like a “make a dress out of a sheer shower curtain” challenge. Not a fan.

LOVE! the duchesse satin with the beaded cap sleeves, that one is beautiful!
Judy_S

I am distracted by the models, who look as if they are 12-year-old girls being married off to 60-year-old widowers whom they have never seen.
EEKstl

I mean, sure, they’re lovely, but yawn. I still prefer those blood-red Vera Wangs…
formerlyAnon

Like # 9 (movie star glamour) and # 13 (very plain satin with beaded lace cap sleeves) the best. #7 bugs the worst – but there are a surprising number of not-that-attractive gowns here. Too much tulle, too many ruffles.

And that first sparkly, strapless mini is surely a cocktail dress? A very Jennifer Aniston bath towel style cocktail dress?
TheOriginalLulu

Nothing new here. Although, I do love the skirt on the 7th dress. I’d love to see that move in person.
crash1212

The only one that caught my eye is the one you mentioned – it is chic as hell – the rest…MEH.
BrooklynBomber

Damn, that’s it. Can’t look at any more. But what is it about the styling here that looks so un-bridal?
ChaquitaPhilly

I like the one with the lace cap sleeves, too. The others? Not much. Pouffy explosions of white fabric.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Y73VNX2QZNJVE5MR5KAIMQYKME Kathryn

Are the gloves supposed to be so loose?
StelledelMare

In love with #9 and the top of number 4 but that’s about it. Too many poofs and ruffles near the bottoms but the tops of most are quite nice. No on the gloves for me, especially with the first dress
http://cheekypinky.wordpress.com/ Rebecca

My favorite bridal collection thus far–and you are absolutely right about that chic cap sleeved number. *perfection*
marilyn

Gorgeous. The sleeve is coming back! I have seen too many fat-armed brides (in real life) to have ever liked the sleeveless look.

Aside from that rant, the quality of design in this collection is superb!!! This is designer bridal wear.
mjude

LOVE. finally little sleeves!
http://howtofaint.tumblr.com/ How to Faint

That first dress makes it seem as though they’re trying to lure Jennifer Aniston into a marriage trap.
sleepycat

gorg, although I still prefer herria’s collection
guest2visits

All beyond beautiful. I think the embellishment is balanced, and yet still radiant. Love the tiny suds effect on 21. And the tulle
roses floating on the last. And all the embroidery and tiny ribbons at the waist. And the beautiful ‘simple’ design of 8.
Everything comes across as incredibly contructed and expensive.
snarkykitten

That fourth dress is breathtaking
boweryboy

The first dress is hoochie. The rest are meh. I agree with your accessment of the beaded sleeve dress.
TieDye64

#9 and #13 are stunning.
KathKo

Those are terrible ! From slutty bride to exploding tits, we are not spared any bridal clichés !
The seven and eight looks are just okayish.
I abandon : I may be too old to appreciate bridal anymore.
Lina_bee

I really like 4 out of 23. That…is not a great ratio, but I suppose it’s a hair better than the last 2 bridal posts.
msdamselfly

Gorgeous
This is how it’s done
michelle shields

NO MORE KLEENEX! But that gown with the lace cap sleeves? I’d sell my house for that!
Presumptuous Insect

Nothing is really knocking me out here.
holdmewhileimnaked

i like the last one & the one fourth from the bottom. i like them both cos theyre obscuring, something finally new in the gown world.

i also think you guys like bridal stuff way way better than i do. or, at least, than i do now, at this point in my entirely too long life. at twelve i woulda been right there w/ you.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3JSTXMWWVZN2QNP2UEKJMTWD7U Isabel

Too much side spillage! Distracts from the dress.
alyce1213

#13 with the cap sleeves is the only one that’s love-worthy.
Some I don’t like at all (WTF with #1?).
Some are just okay. Nothing special.

I so much prefer the Carolina Herrera collection — those are inspiring.
http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz

I never understood bridal gloves at all. How does that work with your rings? I’m asking.
- Susan Crawford
  
  Bridal gloves! The ring finger portion can be lifted and folded back to accommodate the placing of the ring. I’ve seen this at a couple of weddings. Sort of like those “mittens” where the finger area can be folded back to accommodate using one’s cell phone. (Because God forbid one should be out in the Arctic tundra and not have the ability to text, amirite?)
  - http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz
    
    Okayyyyyy…. So the bride walks around the rest of the night with one finger exposed (with that little bit of fabric dangling?) and the rest covered up? Or does she remove the gloves for the reception.
    I guess I have just never been to a wedding that involved gloves.
    I’m thinking this is a tradition for the very dramatic, old-school types. So not me!
    - Susan Crawford
      
      No, I seem to remember that the ring -piece could be replaced over the finger for the post-ceremony pictures, and for the reception, the bride would remove her gloves entirely. But you’re right – it is pretty old-school. I love the look of gloves, but it takes some real planning to figure out all the ins, outs and finger-baring they entail. But who ever said weddings were less than complex, right?
Louise Bryan

This is certainly one of the most beautiful collections so far. I did like the Vera Wang color, though. Virginal white seems like such an anachronism these days.
LesYeuxHiboux

I love the gloves at just below the elbow. The 9th look has me wishing I was more Kiera Knightley and less Christina Hendricks. Gorgeous.
Aurumgirl

I’m inclined to think that any wedding dress without sleeves of some kind is so very 2010.
NNgela

wow this might be my favorite of them all!
lilazander

I like the idea of the gloves, and the short and ivory gowns. The rest is OK.
rainwood1

When I first started looking, I thought “Oh, bridal fascinators. Interesting idea’ then realized it’s just the lights reflecting against the blue plexiglass. I’m kind of disappointed.
Susan Crawford

Love the cap-sleeve gowns, and the ninth photo from the top, with it’s beautiful 1920′s vibe, but the other dresses? Meh.

I am really tired of strapless bridal gowns, and I just hated the mullet-dress. A big yes to the gloves, and the off white gowns. Again, models with that scraped-back hair – I’d love to see some classic, softer updo’s, or even a lovely, Lauren Bacall-style pageboy just once in a while. These girls have their hair pulled back to tight it looks as though they couldn’t blink if their lives depended on it.
Melissa Brogan

The first one is hilarious. Shiny bridal bath towel. 9 and 13 are nice, but this is yet another boring/unadventurous collection for the most part.
demidaemon

Most of these are pretty, but that first one is a hooker/stripper bridal dress.
quiltrx

I LOVE the Art-Deco-looking beaded one (9th down I think)–not that I EVER had the body to wear it, but we’re dreaming here, right?

Otherwise, some of these are kind of boring (and almost cheap-looking), but I like the detailing (like several other bridal collections, no?) that elevates an ordinary-otherwise dress into something interesting.
quickpicks

Not a fan of the sober model look in the case of wedding fashion. Are these brides being led to the guillotine? Shouldn’t brides have a smile on their face? These models say, “I am depressed about wearing this dress”. (See models #1 and #2 especially.) Break out of the mold designers and send models down the runway whose faces say, “I am happy, happy, happy to wear this gorgeous dress on my wedding day. Although, I have to admit, I’d be depressed about wearing dress #1 myself. (But happy, happy, happy to wear dress #3!)
http://twitter.com/amndad amanda lynn

i audibly gasped at number 7. so beautiful!
Daenyx

Mostly pretty, mostly boring. And several of them look really awkward with the way the ruffles are riding.
save_the_hobbit

Eh. And the gloves….gross.

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Reem Acra Spring 2013 Bridal Collection

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