- Alabama-based bridal stylist, Lillie Dawson, has gained viral popularity for her creations of princess wedding looks.
- Interestingly, Dawson has observed that more brides nowadays prefer villain-inspired dresses.
- She also shares her insights on why this shift is happening and provides tips for finding the perfect dark dress.
For a long time, ball gowns, tiaras, and other princess-inspired pieces have been considered staples in bridal fashion. Who wouldn’t want to resemble Disney royalty on their special day?
However, according to Lillie Dawson, a bridal stylist from Alabama, there is a growing number of brides who prefer a different aesthetic.
In an interview with Insider, Dawson, who has gained popularity on TikTok for showcasing themed bridal looks, ranging from Barbie-like dresses to designs inspired by zodiac signs, revealed that many brides she works with now seek gowns that exude the strong, darker energy of characters like Maleficent and Ursula.
While Dawson’s princess-themed videos have gone viral on TikTok, with one reaching over 63.8 million views, it’s the brides who come in with screenshots of her villain-inspired videos that have influenced her to stock up on darker, more provocative dresses at Bella’s Bridal, the boutique where she works.
“I’m constantly trying to bring in more black dresses, dark greens, dark blues – everything fun,” she explained.
The Shift to Darker Aesthetics
Wedding trends play a significant role in influencing brides’ choices for less traditional gowns. Dawson mentioned that she’s noticed a rise in themed receptions, darker color schemes, and dress codes where brides wear black while guests wear white.
Additionally, she believes this shift is also cultural.
“It’s as if brides are tapping into that innocent, princess-like feeling they had as young girls when they imagined their weddings. However, as they’ve grown older and faced heartbreaks and challenges, they’ve embraced their womanhood and chosen to embody the sexy, dark allure of villains,” Dawson elaborated.
Finding the Perfect Villain-Inspired Dress
Dawson acknowledges that selecting a darker, sexier dress can be challenging for even the most enthusiastic brides. She suggests starting with a gradual transition.
“Some brides go all out with black lace on top and a black lining underneath. But if you’re not ready for that yet, you can begin with trying on a black dress that has a nude, white, or blush underlay to offset the darkness,” she recommended.
There is also a specific dress that Dawson recommends to gauge if this trend suits you.
“We have the Zander dress from Maggie Sottero, which I always recommend to brides who want to explore dark wedding gowns. It’s a stunning black dress with a nude underlay that breaks up the black lace. It’s a way to dip your toes in and see if you truly like this look,” she shared.
Dawson emphasizes that your wedding day is about you, and your dress should be something you adore.
“Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and you have the freedom to embrace your inner princess with a poofy, feminine gown or channel your dark, feminine energy and embrace your villainous side,” she asserted.
“I want brides to fully enjoy that feeling, whether they aspire to be princesses or exude the captivating aura of a villain. Soak up that attention, because you absolutely deserve it,” she concluded.
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