Lace, Bezels, and ‘Old Money’ Elegance Define Bridal Trends for 2026

I’m not a bride, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t jump at the chance to cover New York Bridal Fashion Week. I’ll take any opportunity to drool over pretty dresses. Now that the shows and presentations have wrapped up, I’m breaking down the top bridal fashion trends for fall/winter 2026.

To help out, I tapped Megan Ziems, founder and creative director of Grace Loves Lace, and Claire Murphy, CEO of Kyha Studios. For the most part, trends have moved away from the minimalist “clean” look. Contemporary brides are looking to differentiate themselves and express their personal style, says Murphy. And that manifests with lots of texture. “Lace is coming through very hot this season,” says Murphy. “And the dropwaist prevails,” she adds, noting that although it isn’t new, this is the trend that just won’t quit. Also trending: the old money aesthetic. She predicts ivory overlaid on nude will be major, as well as warmer ivory tones at large.

Ahead, see all the things modern brides are loving right now—minus all things Ralph Lauren. (Ahem, Selena. Ahem, Taylor.)

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Texture and Lace

The biggest overall trend is texture, and with that comes lace. Ziems and Murphy agreed that the whole industry is playing into textural elements these days. This week saw 3D appliqués, fringed veils, and lots of tulle, which adds texture but not bulk.

Bold Bezels and Marquise Diamonds

In terms of bling, rings with unique or prominent bezels are really having a moment, as are marquise-shaped diamonds, which could potentially be attributed to Benny Blanco opting for the shape to propose to Selena Gomez. What I love about these two trends is that they’re modern without being trendy, so you don’t have to worry about them going out of style.

Full Skirts

I’ll always love a column skirt—don’t get me wrong. But my forecasts are telling me 2026 brides are all about taking up space. The fuller the skirt, the better. Ziems credits this to the “playful femininity” a full skirt lends to a bridal look.

Capes and Hoods

A hoodie for a bride? It’s unexpected, sure, but you’d better believe hooded capes are coming in 2026. According to Ziems, everything from shawls to scarves is on the rise. One major trend is statement veils. “The veil used to be the cherry on top of the gown, but now brides are treating veils like their own moment,” says Murphy.

Honorable Mention: Sheer

Technically, this trend is from last season, but it’s carried through to this one, so I couldn’t leave it out. While you might not associate sheer silhouettes with bridal attire, get ready for that to change.

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